Bucs Mock Draft Roundup 2024: The Latest From Draft Week

NFL Draft Week is here, which means the Bucs will be on the clock for their first-round pick soon enough. They currently hold the No. 26 pick on the first round, which will take place on Thursday night, before the draft continues with rounds two and three Friday and culminates with rounds four, five, six and seven on Saturday.

Tampa Bay currently has seven picks, with two third-round selections and no fifth-rounder. Todd Bowles’ team has needs all over the field, though outside linebacker, guard, center and perhaps wide receiver appear to be the biggest needs.

Cornerback, inside linebacker, defensive tackle, tight end and running back are also needs that the Bucs could address between Thursday and Saturday afternoon.

Mock draft season is coming to a close, but before it does — and before we start seeing the Way-Too-Early 2025 Mock Drafts — let’s get a final look at what draft analysts, insiders and writers from all around the football world are seeing in the Bucs’ future.

Bucs Mock Draft Roundup: The Final 2024 Mocks

*Note: This mock draft roundup will be updated throughout draft week, with the newer projections appearing closer to the top and the older ones — dating back to last Thursday, one week before draft day — will be near the bottom.

Pro Football Focus Analysts (4/22)

*Bucs picks made by PFF lead draft analyst (and Pewter Report alum) Trevor Sikkema

Round 1, Pick 26: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

“With Carlton Davis no longer on the team, the Buccaneers need a potential CB1. McKinstry gives them the ability to get as aggressive as they want as one of the best press-man defenders in the class.”

Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Photo by: USA Today

Round 2, Pick 57: Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

“Cade Otton has been fine for Tampa Bay over the past two years, but the team could use more of a focal point in the passing game from the position. Plus, the Buccaneers will have to make a decision on Chris Godwin‘s long-term future soon. Sanders is a legit receiving option who could make that choice easier for the front office.”

Round 3, Pick 89: Clemson EDGE Xavier Thomas

“With Shaq Barrett gone and no proven pass rusher on the roster, the Buccaneers will look to upgrade that position as early as the first round. Thomas is a high-caliber athlete when it comes to explosiveness off the edge, something Tampa Bay could use more of with Yaya Diaby having a little breakout as an athlete edge rusher last year.”

Round 3, Pick 92: Michigan RB Blake Corum

“Rachaad White tallied 990 rushing yards in 2023, but his forced missed tackles and yards after contact averages were still relatively low. White is a solid back who can be a nice one-two committee member with a guy like Corum, who really knows how to handle early-down work and short-yardage situations.”

Round 4, Pick 125: LSU DL Mekhi Wingo

Round 6, Pick 220: Washington State EDGE Brennan Jackson

Round 7, Pick 246: South Dakota CB Myles Harden

CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin (4/22)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

“The one area the Bucs could really stand to address despite an applauded “run-it-back” offseason is pass rusher, and Robinson’s raw explosiveness could be a gift for coach Todd Bowles, lining up behind a physical front anchored by Vita Vea.”

Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell (4/22)

Florida State EDGE Jared Verse Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

“Tampa Bay released Shaq Barrett, while Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall have been big disappointments in terms of pass-rush production. Here’s an edge rusher to go with YaYa Diaby.

Verse recorded 41 tackles, nine sacks and two passes batted in 2023. He had a great start to open 2022, showing pass-rush ability and speed around the corner in a dominant performance versus LSU while recording three sacks and seven tackles. In 2022, Verse totaled 47 tackles and nine sacks. He displayed functional strength, athleticism, and a steady drive. In 2021 playing for Albany, Verse recorded 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and 22 tackles. The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder has a good motor and upside.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Kansas State G Cooper Beebe

“Tampa Bay could use more interior offensive line talent. Here’s a player who could compete right away to start at left guard.

Beebe (6-3, 322) played some snaps at tackle, but mostly was at guard for the Wildcats. The latter is his best fit for the NFL. Team sources said they liked Beebe’s 2022 tape more than what they saw in 2023. They shared they felt Beebe lost some intensity in his play. He is limited athletically and faces some issues with speed and quickness. However, he has power and can be productive in the ground game. Beebe looks like a future NFL starter.”

Round 3, Pick 89: Michigan CB Mike Sainistril

“The Bucs take some slot corner depth. Sainristil came up with a lot of clutch plays during the 2023 season to help Michigan win a National Championship. On the year, Sainristil totaled 44 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and six passes batted. It was a huge season with a lot of clutch plays. In 2022, he totaled 58 tackles, an interception, seven passes broken up and an interception. Sainristil has good instincts and is a willing tackler. As a pro, he would fit best as a slot corner.”

Round 3, Pick 92: Florida State RB Trey Benson

“The Bucs add a runner to pair with Rachaad White. Benson (6-1, 223) is a big back who is a strong downhill runner with the strength to end his rushes well. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2023 for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 20 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown. In 2022, Benson became the starting running back and had a quality debut, averaging 6.4 yards per carry for 990 yards and nine touchdowns. He notched 13 receptions for 144 yards as well. Benson boosted his draft stock with an excellent combine performance.”

Round 4, Pick 125: Southeast Missouri State WR Ryan Flournoy

“The Bucs could use some receiver depth.”

Round 6, Pick 220: South Carolina TE Trey Knox

Walter Football’s Walter Cherepinsky (4/21)

Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

“The Buccaneers had major problems defending the pass last year. It’ll only get worse if they don’t address cornerback because Carlton Davis is gone. Kool-Aid McKinstry was a rare freshman starter for Nick Saban. He has the size and athleticism to be an elite cornerback.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper

“The Buccaneers lost Devin White this offseason. Lavonte David doesn’t have much time remaining. Linebacker help is needed. Edgerrin Cooper is an explosive linebacker with huge upside.”

Round 3, Pick 89: Penn State EDGE Adisa Isaac

“The Buccaneers will need to replace Shaq Barrett, who was released recently. Adisa Isaac is a good run defender with a plus frame. His pass rushing needs to improve.”

Round 3, Pick 92: Florida State WR Johnny Wilson

“Both of Tampa’s receivers are 30-plus, so some young eventual replacements are needed. Johnny Wilson is a massive receiver who might have to become a tight end in the NFL.”

Round 4, Pick 125: Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

“The Buccaneers may lose some linebackers to free agency this offseason, so here’s a potential replacement. Jeremiah Trotter has been able to flash all over the field.” 

(Writer’s note: This appears to be a pick that wasn’t updated when the latest updates were made. The explanation appears out-of-date, and with the projection of drafting Cooper in the second, this wouldn’t make much sense.)

Round 6, Pick 220: South Dakota CB Myles Harden

Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings (4/20)

Round 1, Pick 26: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

“The board didn’t fall very well at EDGE for the Buccaneers, but Kool-Aid McKinstry is a very nice consolation prize at CB. He’s a top-20 prospect on my board, with the zone awareness, fluidity, and swarming ball skills to fit seamlessly into Todd Bowles’ scheme.”

Trade: The Buccaneers receive picks 46 and 191; the Colts receive picks 57 and 89 in the 2024 NFL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

West Virginia C Zach Frazier Photo by: USA Today

Round 2, Pick 46: West Virginia C Zach Frazier

“The Buccaneers move up in the second round to secure Zach Frazier in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Frazier, a three-time state champion wrestler in high school, compares favorably to Ryan Jensen, the team’s previous long-term starter.”

Round 3, Pick 92: Kansas OL Dominick Puni

“Dominick Puni’s heavy hands can move mountains in the run game, and he plays square to opponents in pass protection.”

Round 4, Pick 125: Colorado State EDGE Mo Kamara

Round 6, Pick 220: Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson

Round 7, Pick 246: Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan (4/20)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

“A swing for the fences type of addition for Tampa Bay off the edge as Robinson has a high ceiling thanks to his elite traits.”

The Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon (4/20)

Round 1, Pick 26: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

NFL.com Chad Reuter 7-Round (4/19)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

“Robinson’s speed and bend off the edge will help fill the void created by Shaq Barrett’s departure. Although he recorded just 9.5 sacks over the past two seasons at Penn State, he has the skills to hit that total on an annual basis in the pros.”

UCF WR Javon Baker Photo by: USA Today

Round 2, Pick 57: Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter

Round 3, Pick 89: Texas A&M G Layden Robinson

Round 3, Pick 92: USC RB MarShawn Lloyd

Round 4, Pick 125: UCF WR Javon Baker

Round 6, Pick 220: Florida State S Akeem Dent

Round 7, Pick 246: North Dakota State C Jalen Sundell

The Athletic Analytics Mock (4/19)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

“The Bucs have a huge need at pass rusher, and Robinson has the measurables combined with an elite first step that will give him a chance to produce in the NFL. There are some production issues — and run defense issues — that have caused Robinson to slide to the end of the first round, but if everything clicks for him, he has the potential to be elite.”

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz and Nate Davis (4/19)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson – Photo by: USA Today

“The final consensus pick among USA Today mock drafts sees the very athletic Robinson head south to bolster Tampa Bay’s pass rush. Robinson’s impressive first step and hand usage give him great potential at the NFL level. With proper coaching, he could end up as the top pass-rusher in the class.

“Middlehurst-Schwartz: “GM Jason Licht has shown a willingness to spend heavy draft capital in a pass rush that still hasn’t panned out. Pairing YaYa Diaby with Robinson could provide massive dividends if the two electric athletes can fine-tune their techniques.”

“Davis: “His eye-popping athleticism – the 6-3, 254-pounder ran a sub-4.5 40 at the combine – doesn’t necessarily align with his production, which included 9½ sacks and 17½ TFLs in two seasons with the Nittany Lions. But he could be a real asset to a defense that was reliant on the blitz in 2023 and just loss OLB Shaq Barrett.”

NFL.com’s Dan Parr (4/18)

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

“The pass rusher formerly known as “Pork Chop” provides the Bucs with juice off the edge. His production doesn’t jump off the page (11.5 sacks in three seasons), but his athleticism is eye-opening. He can be the long-term replacement for Shaquil Barrett.”

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