Bucs Best Bets 2024 Cheat Sheet – Defense

Pewter Report is known for its Bucs Best Bet predictions, which are the players we believe the Bucs are targeting and would draft in either the first three rounds or the final four rounds.

Pewter Report has had quite a bit of success in forecasting Bucs picks in recent years with Bucs Best Bets such as OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and QB Kyle Trask in 2021, DT Logan Hall and TE Cade Otton in 2022, and G Cody Mauch, OLB YaYa Diaby, TE Payne Durham and WR Trey Palmer in 2023.

Pewter Report’s 2024 NFL Draft coverage is energized by CELISUS – the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Click here to save money and buy CELSIUS on Amazon – and try the new CELSIUS Vibe flavors!

2024 Bucs Best Bets – Defense

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Western Michigan OLB Marshawn Kneeland

Kneeland is big, athletic, physical force off the edge. His game has drawn comparisons to Cam Jordan’s game coming out of Cal over a decade ago. Interestingly enough, neither Kneeland nor Jordan was a big-time sack producer in college, but Jordan wound up becoming a multi-year Pro Bowler and had six double-digit sack seasons in New Orleans. The traits and effort are there for Kneeland, who had 12.5 career sacks at Western Michigan, to have a similar path and really develop his pass rush game at the next level.

Kneeland violently attacks his opponent and his motor always runs high. He’s a stout run defender and the Bucs likely appreciate the fact that he remained loyal to Western Michigan and withdrew his name from the transfer portal and returned to the Broncos for his senior season despite initially committing to Deion Sanders and Colorado. The Bucs met with Kneeland formally at the NFL Scouting Combine and also had him in for a Top 30 visit prior to the draft.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Colorado State OLB Mohamed Kamara

After the second round there aren’t many great options for edge rushers, as this is not a particularly deep draft for the position. But the Bucs could draft Kamara in the fourth round on Day 3. Tampa Bay had another successful, quick, undersized pass rusher from Colorado State in Shaq Barrett, who was also 6-foot-1, 250 pounds. Kamara’s size isn’t for every team, but Todd Bowles doesn’t mind shorter outside linebackers if they can really rush the passer.

Kamara logged 45.5 tackles for loss and 25.5 sacks in his Rams career and wins with incredible burst and bend around the tackle, and has violent hands. Kamara has a wide array of pass rushing moves and a sophisticated rush plan. The Bucs have a similarly built player already on the roster in Markees Watts, so that’s proof that Kamara could be a good fit in Tampa Bay as Todd Bowles can never have enough good edge rushers who can get to the quarterback.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro

Clemson DT Ruke Ohorhoro – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs appear to be quite interested in Orhorhoro after formally interviewing him at the NFL Scouting Combine and having the Clemson product in for a Top 30 visit in April. It’s easy to see why due to Orhorhoro’s athleticism. He ran a 4.89 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine at 6-foot-4, 294 pounds, which was impressive. The Nigerian native is a hard-working, hustling defender who is stout against the run and emerging as a pass rusher. Orhorhoro is strong with great grip strength in his hands.

He’s had eight tackles for loss in each of his last three seasons, but his sack production has been on the rise. Orhorhoro had 2.5 sacks in 2021, four sacks in 2022 and five sacks last year. His nine career pass deflections is noteworthy because he’s affected the pass rush in other ways besides sacks and pressures. Orhorhoro could be drafted to replace Logan Hall, who has underwhelmed in his first two seasons in Tampa Bay after being selected at the top of the second round with the Bucs’ first pick in 2022. Orhorhoro could be drafted late in the second round, but won’t last past the third round.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Auburn DT Marcus Harris

Bucs general manager Jason Licht is no stranger to drafting Auburn defenders. He’s drafted cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (2018) and Jamel Dean (2019), in addition to middle linebacker K.J. Britt (2021) from the Tigers defense. Harris is another Bucs fit due to his strength and quickness. He has heavy hands that can punch and shed an offensive lineman quickly so he can penetrate the backfield and make plays. Harris had a breakout year at Auburn with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior. That led to his appearance in the Senior Bowl where he had a great week and shined. Among the QBs that Harris sacked last year were LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.

Harris is a Day 3 selection because he’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 286 pounds. That’s the same weight as Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and Harris is just one inch taller. But Harris ran a 5.06 in the 40-yard dash while Kancey blazed a 4.57 time a year ago at the NFL Scouting Combine. Yet with his playing strength and quick first step, Harris has some Kancey-like traits and would be a great fit in Tampa Bay. Equally adept at rushing the passer and stuffing the run, Harris would be an ideal pick in the sixth round if he lasts that long. The Bucs had an informal interview with Harris at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace

Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs had Wallace, one of the most athletic linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft, in for a Top 30 visit along with Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper and Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. But Tampa Bay has some extra intel from new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who spent two seasons – 2021 and 2023 – as the play-caller at Kentucky and went against Wallace in practice daily. Wallace is only 21, which helps him and hurts him. The bright side is that he so young and is getting a jump on his NFL career at such an early age. The down side is that he is not a finished product and is probably not ready to start as a rookie.

But with K.J. Britt and Lavonte David in a contract year, Wallace could develop behind the scenes in 2024 and emerge as a starter in 2025. He has good production as a blitzer (10 sacks) and in coverage (four pass breakups, three interceptions) in his three seasons with the Wildcats, so he’s a good fit in Todd Bowles’ defense. Wallace’s fast (4.51) and physical playstyle will make him an asset on special teams while he learns. He logged 412 special teams snaps at Kentucky and blocked and returned a field goal for a touchdown as a freshman. He would be an ideal pickup in the third round.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: North Carolina ILB Cedric Gray

Gray has a chance to go late on Day 2, but would be a great addition for Tampa Bay in the fourth round. The Bucs had a formal interview with Gray at the NFL Scouting Combine. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who interviewed Tar Heels linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Tommy Thigpen, Gray “is an alpha male who loves football. Crazy aggressive with a huge foot ball IQ.” That sounds an awful lot like a Todd Bowles-type linebacker.

Gray is adept at stuffing the run, coverage and blitzing, which makes his versatility attractive to Tampa Bay. He logged 100 tackles or more in each of the last three seasons and produced 30 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. In coverage, Gray used his 4.64 speed to record 18 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past three years. He was also a turnover machine with six forced fumbles over that span. Gray gives off some Lavonte David vibes.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Michigan CB Mike Sainristil

Michigan NCB Mike Sainristil – Photo by: USA Today

Sainristil was the heart and soul of Michigan’s national championship defense last year. After starting his Wolverines career as a wide receiver, the offensive and defensive coaches were fighting over him and he wound up playing nickel cornerback and some outside cornerback the last two seasons. He notched seven interceptions, including six last year to lead the team and the Big Ten. The two-time team captain has two pick-sixes on his Wolverines resumé and the Bucs could certainly use another playmaker in the secondary that can take the ball away.

Sainristil, who was a Top 30 visit, is a very cerebral player who gives off Ronde Barber vibes. At 5-foot-9, 183 pounds he’s locked into the slot in Todd Bowles’ defense, but the Bucs could use an upgrade over Christian Izien, who was mediocre as a rookie undrafted free agent. Sainristil is expected to be drafted early in the second round, so if Tampa Bay were to select him it would either do so at No. 26 or trade back and do so while acquiring other draft picks. It’s doubtful he’ll be there at No. 57 because of his playmaking ability and his leadership.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Arkansas CB Dwight McGlothern

For a team that struggled to create takeaways in the secondary outside of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., the Bucs could use a player like McGlothern in the sixth round if he’s still on the board. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, McGlothern has enough size to play outside in Todd Bowles defense, and comes with the reputation of being a ballhawk. The Arkansas cornerback notched eight interceptions and 30 pass breakups in the last three seasons. McGlothern also forced four fumbles in three seasons for the Razorbacks defense.

McGlothern does need to get tougher as a tackler in run defense and work on shedding blocks better. He’s more fast (4.47) than agile, and is best suited outside than in the slot where his lack of agility could get exposed. He’s a physical cornerback in man coverage and McGlothern could be a nice developmental corner in Tampa Bay. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler likened him to being an underdeveloped Carlton Davis III – yet with better ball skills. He recorded picks against Alabama’s Bryce Young, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and LSU’s Jayden Daniels in college.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Georgia S Tykee Smith

Georgia S Tykee Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Smith would make for a perfect complement to Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. long-term as he is at his best playing a box/nickel role. That would let Winfield play up top as a centerfielder. Smith is a physically imposing, hard-hitting strong safety type who is most effective near and behind the line of scrimmage. He had 8.5 tackles-for-loss in 2023 showing he has a penchant for getting into the backfield on blitzes. In coverage he holds up well against tight ends and power slots and shows a nose for the ball creating turnovers with a team-high four interceptions last year.

Smith doesn’t sacrifice his technical form as a tackler just to deliver a big hit. He’s just very physical as he drives through ball-carriers. He’s not the best or most fluid athlete but is functional and linear in that area. Smith isn’t likely to be taken in the first two rounds of the draft and so the Bucs may be able to select him with either of their two third round picks (No. 89 and No. 92 overall).

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Air Force S Trey Taylor

Taylor is a natural ballhawk that the Bucs have lacked in the secondary for several seasons. His six interceptions and 19 passes defensed over the past four seasons are both impressive numbers. He’s a solid athlete in both his size and movement skills. He’s quick to read and react and smoothy mirrors and matches receivers who release vertically. Taylor has special teams experience and has been praised for his character and makeup. Coming from a military school he is likely a disciplined player as well. The Jim Thorpe Award winner was in Tampa Bay for a Top 30 visit.

Taylor’s athleticism has a ceiling that can be exploited at the NFL level, and he will have to hedge against speedier receivers while learning not to use his hands in a way that will get called for holding and DPI. Whereas Smith has a more defined role, Taylor is more of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none. He is likely a late Day 3 pick that the Bucs could look to select with their seventh-round pick or even their sixth-rounder to ensure they secure Taylor’s services.

Watch The Pewter Report Draft Show April 25-27

The annual Pewter Report Draft Show returns for the 2024 NFL Draft. Pewter Report’s three-day live-streaming coverage of the Bucs draft happens on the PewterReportTV channel and is energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. The event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25 – one hour before the official start of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Hosts Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera will be broadcasting live all three days from the Bucs’ team headquarters at the AdventHealth Training Center. Other members of the Pewter Report staff, including Adam Slivon, Bailey Adams and Josh Queipo will also be making on-air appearances to offer up their insight and analysis as the Bucs make their selections.

And the PR staff will also be interacting with Bucs fans and answering questions in 20 hours of coverage over three days.

Pewter Report 2024 Draft Show Schedule On PewterReportTV on YouTube

Thursday, April 25 – 7:00 p.m. ET (picks begin at 8:00 p.m. ET)
Friday, April 26 – 6:00 p.m. ET (picks begins at 7:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, April 37 – 11:00 a.m. ET (picks begins at noon ET)

The Pewter Report staff will also be having live reaction and analysis from the Todd Bowles and Jason Licht press conferences that happen throughout the three-day event. As well as reaction to the team’s first-round pick from Friday’s press conference.