Bucs Mock Draft Roundup 2024: Post-Senior Bowl Edition

The Bucs have already had a busy offseason, and it’s only been a couple of weeks. They’ve seen their offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, offensive line coach and run game coordinator all leave for Carolina, plus their special teams coordinator retire. The offensive coordinator search involved quite a few candidates before the team settled on Liam Coen as the guy. Meanwhile, the other holes on the offensive coaching staff still need to be filled and the special teams coordinator search remains ongoing.

Throughout all of this, the Bucs front office has also had one eye toward free agency, as well as April’s NFL Draft. Draft season really got going last week and is in full swing now that the Reese’s Senior Bowl has come and gone.

While general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and assistant general managers John Spytek and Mike Greenberg weren’t in Mobile, Ala. last week, they’ll have all the practice tape to evaluate in addition to putting their heads together with team scouts who were getting in-person looks at prospects throughout the week.

So, with all of that in mind and with free agency obviously still being the Bucs’ first chance to address some of their needs, now is a great time to check in on the latest mock drafts from around the NFL world and draft community.

Bucs Post-Senior Bowl Mock Draft Roundup

The 33rd Team’s Connor Livesay

Round 1, Pick 26: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

“With Arnold and Mitchell flying up draft boards, Nate Wiggins could see the brunt of their rise. Wiggins’ game has few flaws, but his lack of size and play strength is concerning. Taking Wiggins this late in the first round would be excellent value for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had issues in coverage for most of the 2023 season.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Penn State EDGE Adisa Isaac

ESPN’s Matt Miller

Round 1, Pick 26: Washington G Troy Fautanu

“The decision to move Tristan Wirfs to left tackle paid off well for Tampa Bay in 2023, but now it’s time to build along the offensive line. Fautanu played left tackle in college but projects as a guard in the pros with his arm and height measurements expected to be a little below league standards for left tackles.

Miami S Kamren Kinchens – Photo by: USA Today

“The Bucs would gladly take him on the inside, where I believe he can be a Pro Bowl-level player early in his career thanks to his toughness, agility and power at the point of attack. Line him up at left guard and watch Rachaad White go in the run game. The Buccaneers ranked 28th in rushing at 3.6 yards per carry in 2023.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Miami S Kamren Kinchens

“Kinchens leaves college with 11 interceptions gathered over the past two seasons and can stay in Florida with this selection. Tampa Bay had just 13 interceptions as a team during the regular season, good for 17th overall. An over-the-top safety prospect, Kinchens has great versatility and the size at 6-foot and 205 pounds to play a variety of alignments. Both starting safeties in Tampa Bay — Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal — are pending free agents, and Kinchens could fill a starting role immediately even if one of them returns.”

The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez

South Carolina WR Xavier Legette – Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: South Carolina WR Xavier Legette

“The Buccaneers were one of the surprise teams of the 2023 NFL season. Hopefully, Baker Mayfield will be back next year and they can look to keep building. They address the WR position here and draft Xavier Legette. Legette is a versatile receiver who, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, is a physical run-after-the-catch threat.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema & Connor Rogers

Round 1, Pick 26: Washington EDGE Bralen Trice

Round 2, Pick 58: Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards

Florida State WR Keon Coleman – Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: Florida State WR Keon Coleman

“Mike Evans will be a free agent next month, and there has been no clear indication that he will return. Tampa Bay has one of the ten highest amounts of salary cap space, but it has several other free agents to address as well.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

Round 1, Pick 26: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

“Rakestraw plays a very competitive brand of football and is capable of fitting into multiple coverage schemes. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles loves to create havoc up front and stay tight outside. Rakestraw fits the bill.”

Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell

Round 1, Pick 26: Oregon State OT/G Taliese Fuaga

“Tampa Bay badly needs interior offensive line help. Fuaga could start out at guard, or the Bucs could eventually flip him and Luke Goedeke.

“The 6-foot-6, 334-pound Fuaga was a starter and solid player for the Beavers over the last couple of seasons. He played right tackle at Oregon State, but he has the body type that could allow him to kick inside to guard as well. Multiple NFL team sources said they felt Fuaga was a second-day guard for the 2024 NFL Draft, but others stated they thought he could stay at right tackle and was worthy of being a late first-rounder.”

Round 2, Pick 57: North Carolina LB Cedric Gray

North Carolina ILB Cedric Gray – Photo by: USA Today

“Tampa Bay could let Devin White walk in free agency and find a replacement in the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2023, Gray amassed 121 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four passes defended. He was one of the best linebackers in college football in 2022 and super productive for the Tar Heels.

“Gray recorded 144 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and one sack that season. In 2021, he totaled 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has a good build and instincts.”

Round 3, Pick 90: South Carolina CB Marcellas Dial

“The Bucs could consider adding corner depth and some options in case they want to get cheaper.

“Dial will continue the South Carolina tradition of producing draftable cornerbacks for the next level, as he flashed ability during 2022 in the starter role across from Cam Sutton. That season, Dial recorded three interceptions, 12 passes broken up and 45 tackles. He totaled 33 tackles and six breakups over 2021. In 2023, Dial notched 36 tackles, one sack and 10 passes broken up. The 6-foot, 195-pounder has good size, but teams have questions about his instincts and overall athleticism.”

Pro Football Network’s Owain Jones

Washington EDGE Bralen Trice Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: Washington EDGE Bralen Trice

“The Bucs need to continue to add talent on the defensive line. Calijah Kancey looked great, and Yaya Diaby played well above expectations in 2023. However, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t panned out, and Shaq Barrett is entering the last year of his contract. Bralen Trice is an absolute wrecking ball and is a pure disruptor. He has an overwhelming power profile, and his active hands give him great production at the college level. Trice plays with high effort, which all coaches will fall in love with.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Maryland S Beau Brade

“Safety is a position of concern for Tampa Bay. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal are out of contract at the end of the season. Winfield is a certainty to return, but he won’t be cheap. Adding a running mate for him would be a wise decision. Beau Brade is ultra-versatile, and his aggressive attitude and strong tackling mean he can thrive in the box.”

Round 3, Pick 89: North Carolina LB Cedric Gray

“Lavonte David and Devin White could be out this offseason, leaving Tampa Bay needing to pay close attention to the position. Cedric Gray has the range and frame to play every down. His versatility, instincts, and awareness, combined with his motor and speed, make him one of the top linebackers in this class.”

Round 4, Pick 125: South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

Round 6, Pick 202: Tulane WR Jha’Quan Jackson

Round 7, Pick 243: TCU OT Andrew Coker

Round 7, Pick 254: Georgia State LB Jontrey Hunter

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