Pewter Report 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 4.0

With the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl and 2024 NFL Combine completed, the 2024 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and now it’s time for the Pewter Report 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 4.0 – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report.

Coming off a 9-8 season and a third straight NFC South championship, Tampa Bay filled a bunch of needs in free agency by re-signing every one of its star players and adding some new free agents. As expected, the Bucs parted ways with 31-year old edge rusher Shaq Barrett this offseason, and they let starting inside linebacker Devin White walk in free agency.

Tampa Bay also traded starting cornerback Carlton Davis III and a sixth-round pick to Detroit for a third-rounder in a move that was forecast by Pewter Report. Most recently, the team made a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition by signing outside linebacker Randy Gregory.

The Bucs could sign another player or two prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, but this Pewter Report 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 3.0 is operating under the premise that Tampa Bay is essentially done filling its needs for the time being.

Bucs Personnel Needs

Outside Linebacker

The Bucs found a third-round gem in YaYa Diaby, who led the team with 7.5 sacks during his rookie season despite not being a starter until mid-November. Tampa Bay released Shaq Barrett, whose production dipped to just 4.5 sacks at age 31 while coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round pick, is entering a contract year and the team is not expected to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

Gregory will work in a rotation and could provide some juice. But at 31 years old himself and with very little history of reliability or sustained production, his contributions should be viewed as a surprise surplus rather than expected performance.

The Bucs need another athletic pass rusher who can start opposite Diaby in 2024. Anthony Nelson is a good rotational rusher who is strong in run defense and is also entering a contract year. Tampa Bay has two promising young edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but neither appears ready to start. Tampa Bay will be moving on from veteran Cam Gill, too.

While a case can be made for each of the players already rostered to be a part of 2024’s active roster, only Diaby should be viewed as a lock to be a key contributor. As for Tryon-Shoyinka, Nelson, Gregory, Ramirez and Watts – none of them have enough investment in them to preclude the Bucs from adding someone they think could become a difference-maker.

Interior Offensive Line

Bucs C Robert Hainsey and the O-line – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs could use an upgrade at left guard and center this year. Veteran free agent Matt Feiler wasn’t the answer and was benched for backup Aaron Stinnie, who played slightly better in the run game. Neither will be back with the Bucs, nor will reserve Nick Leverett. Tampa Bay drafted right guard Cody Mauch in the second round and he showed some real promise. He has one guard spot locked down. The team could also consider moving him to center in 2024 depending on the outcome of the draft.

Tampa Bay added Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson in free agency, but both could be viewed as upgraded depth rather than starter material. While both will challenge for the vacant left guard spot, Bredeson could also vie for the center position.

The Bucs have gotten average play from center Robert Hainsey over the last two years as a fill-in for injured starter Ryan Jensen. At age 33, Jensen’s career is over as he’s officially retired due to the devastating knee injury he suffered during the 2022 training camp. Hainsey is a smart, tough player, but lacks the power and tone-setting attitude that Jensen brought to the offensive line. The Bucs could draft a center to compete with Hainsey, or have a two-man competition between he and Bredeson, or move Mauch to the pivot post.

Secondary

The Bucs’ play at strong safety has taken a step back since losing Jordan Whitehead in free agency after the 2021 season. Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal weren’t the answer in 2022, and neither was Ryan Neal last season. So the Bucs made a wise move and re-signed Whitehead in free agency. Kaevon Merriweather returns for depth in his second year with the team, but the team could – and should – add another safety to the mix to safeguard against injury.

The Bucs traded Carlton Davis III to the Lions, which elevated Zyon McCollum to a starting role opposite Jamel Dean. Bryce Hall was signed from the Jets to provide depth at outside cornerback, while former Texan Tavierre Thomas will challenge Christian Izien for the starting job in the slot. Josh Hayes and Keenan Isaac are the top reserves at outside cornerback, but the Bucs could use another talented outside corner for competition.

Inside Linebacker

Bucs LBs Lavonte David and KJ Britt and SS Ryan Neal and Lions RB David Montgomery – Photo by: USA Today

As expected, the Bucs re-signed Lavonte David and parted ways with fellow inside linebacker Devin White, a five-year starter and former team captain. K.J. Britt enters a contract year poised to fill in for White at Mike linebacker while David continues to play the Mo ‘backer role. J.J. Russell and SirVocea Dennis provide depth and could challenge Britt for the right to start.

It’s not a deep or talented inside linebacker draft, but don’t rule out the Bucs drafting one. The team has brought in three for Top 30 visits this offseason.

Tight End

In terms of strength of position, tight end might have been the weakest in Tampa Bay last year. It was certainly the youngest and most inexperienced with a pair of second-year players in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft atop the depth chart, along with rookie Payne Durham. All three players are Day 3 picks and the Bucs could use an upgrade in talent in the tight end room.

None of the Bucs’ tight ends are real weapons in the passing game, nor is any one of them an exceptional blocker. Tampa Bay made due at tight end this year, but could certainly do better in 2024 with a more talented starter to supplant Otton, who might be better as TE2.

Running Back

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

Rachaad White was the wire-to-wire starter at running back this year for the Bucs, and he exceled in that role as the season went on. While he finished with 990 yards rushing and was 10 yards short of his first 1,000-yard season, White did top 1,500 yards in both rushing and receiving, and was the league’s fourth-most productive back. The Bucs need more depth at the running back position, as White shouldn’t have to carry such a huge workload in 2024.

Chase Edmonds is a nice change-of-pace back and was re-signed. The Bucs jettisoned former third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was a bust, at midseason. Heralded undrafted free agent rookie Sean Tucker never made an impact, nor did he see the field much. The Bucs could use another good running back to compete for the backup job behind White in 2024, and be a capable starter in case White goes down with an injury.

Bucs’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks

The Bucs currently have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded their fifth-round pick to the Eagles last year in order to move up and select wide receiver Trey Palmer in the sixth round. The Bucs received a sixth-round compensatory pick for the loss of free agent safety Mike Edwards in the 2023 offseason. Tampa Bay also traded its own sixth-round pick and cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit for the Lions’ third-round pick.

Pewter Report’s 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft series is energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Try the new CELSIUS Essentials, which come in a variety of flavors, including Cherry Limeade, Blue Crush, Dragonberry, and Orangesicle, and are perfect for the workout enthusiast.

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2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 4.0
By Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo

Round 1 – Oklahoma OL Tyler Guyton
Junior • 6-8, 322

The amount of talent at offensive line that reasonably can be projected to the first round of the draft can only be described as an embarrassment of riches. Former Pewter Reporter and current lead draft analyst for Pro Football Focus Trevor Sikkema has no less than 11 offensive linemen in his Top 40. Given that the Bucs have one (or more) needs along their offensive line the conversion of talent and need conspire to make the position group a likely target for the Bucs at pick No. 26.

Pewter Report’s previous mock drafts have targeted Duke’s Graham Barton in the first round, but Barton has received such high praise that it is unlikely at this point that he would be available when the Bucs select late in the initial round. That leaves Guyton, a mammoth 6-foot-8, 322-pound behemoth as a possible target.

Guyton checks the athletic box that Bucs general manager Jason Licht looks for in early-round picks. Guyton is 21, and Licht prefers to draft younger players in the first round. His Relative Athletic Score, as measured by Kent Lee Platte, was 9.71 out of a possible 10 with high marks in the vertical jump, 3-cone and 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash.

Tyler Guyton is a OT prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.71 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 40 out of 1330 OT from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/vNBXTj2mol pic.twitter.com/mOs9UjS8Q3

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 29, 2024

Guyton is a raw player with just 14 career starts, including 13 at right tackle. The Bucs had a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Licht has shown the propensity to draft offensive tackles and move them inside to guard or center. He started that trend in 2015 with Hobart College left tackle Ali Marpet, who transitioned to guard. A few years later, Alex Cappa, a left tackle at Humboldt State, was drafted to play guard, as was North Dakota State left tackle Cody Mauch, who was a second-round pick last year who wound up playing guard.

It hasn’t always worked out when it comes to right tackles, though. In 2021, the Bucs drafted Notre Dame right tackle Robert Hainsey and moved him to center where he has been only adequate at best. And the team tried that with Central Michigan right tackle Luke Goedeke in 2022, but his transition to left guard went so bad that the team wisely moved him back to right tackle where he’s currently flourishing.

Tyler Guyton’s Pro Football Focus Grades
2020: 77.9 grade – 0 pressures allowed
2021: 69.7 grade – 0 sacks surrendered, 1 QB hurry allowed
2022: 66.2 grade – 2 sacks surrendered, 2 QB hurries allowed
2023: 63.7 grade – 0 sacks surrendered, 3 QB hits, 9 QB hurries allowed

Guyton is a talented, but incomplete player. He is an athletic specimen who still has a way to go. When he latches, he can put anyone down with incredible grip and play strength. Guyton’s lower leg drive is impressive which should help him be an immediate plus in the run game. He struggles to work in space or on the move as his movements can be clunky as if he is thinking through each step and change of direction and his targeting accuracy is spotty at best.

The bet with Guyton is that with his raw athleticism he develops into a dominant player. His large frame would allow him to hold up inside if he were moved to guard, which is where the Bucs would likely insert him as a rookie.

Round 2 – Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk
Junior • 6-2, 204

It feels almost wrong to mock a receiver of Ja’Lynn Polk’s talent towards the back of the second round. But this is an extremely deep and talented receiver group. At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Polk has a build that is very similar to Chris Godwin. Polk could be a long-term replacement for Godwin, who is entering the final year of the three-year extension he signed in 2022.

The Bucs’ current receiver room is set at the top with Godwin and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. Polk would provide a talented option for the WR3 spot in an offense that will rely heavily on 11 personnel this year. Polk would improve the depth of the receiver room immediately and create a better outlook for the group in the medium-to-long term.

Polk isn’t a burner but is still a downfield threat as a ball-winner. He plays above the rim and can make difficult catches by using tremendous body control as he adjusts to balls thrown deep on the perimeter.

Ja’Lynn Polk’s Receiving Stats
2020: 28 rec. for 264 yards (9.4 avg.), 2 TDs
2021: 5 rec. for 114 yards (22.8 avg.), TD
2022: 41 rec. for 694 yards (16.9 avg.), 6 TDs
2023: 69 rec. for 1,159 yards (16.8 avg.), 9 TDs

Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network had this to say about Polk: “Ja’Lynn Polk is the quintessential movement-Z receiver, whose all-encompassing alignment versatility and infallible hand strength are reminiscent of Rams’ star Puka Nacua.”

That positional versatility would allow him and Godwin to swap in and out of the slot, giving new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen a wide range of options to get creative with. Polk wins late in the route with a strong lower half and good change of direction skills. He is also a willing and effective blocker in the run game as well as downfield for other receivers.

Round 3 – USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
Junior • 5-9, 210

The Bucs deepen their running back room with a talented runner in the third round. Marshawn Lloyd lacks an extensive resume of college production, but more than makes up for it with some impressive tape. Tampa Bay could use an upgrade at the RB2 spot, as last year the team got very little out of the running backs behind starter Rachaad White. If they were to lose their workhorse for any reason, the current stable of options behind him (Chase Edmonds and Sean Tucker) inspire little confidence. Lloyd would provide a better option.

Lloyd, who spent his first two years at South Carolina before transferring to USC, is a great one-cut runner who can stick and go. He has a good blend of vision and burst with deceptive long speed. Lloyd leans forward and moves through contact. Like White, this means he rarely takes a negative run. Even though Lloyd was not used much in the passing game as a receiver, he showed well there in his few opportunities.

MarShawn Lloyd is a RB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.58 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 258 out of 1804 RB from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/KPpbVUJivN pic.twitter.com/46WfdBs2WF

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 26, 2024

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say about Lloyd, who forced 95 missed tackles in his career, including 47 last year, for his draft profile.

“Lloyd’s flashes on tape could lead a team to envision a more expansive role for him in its offense, but based on his play, he feels more like a good complementary option with big-play potential. Frankly, some of his South Carolina tape from 2022 felt more exciting than his 2023 USC film, despite the higher yardage-per-carry mark in 2023.

“While he ran with improved patience and set up blockers more diligently in ’23, he ran with a greater sense of urgency the year prior and proved he could create explosive plays without as much help from his offensive line. Lloyd runs with slightly below-average vision but has the juice to play the role of “chunk-play slasher” and dangerous open-field pass catcher. Lloyd is a low-mileage prospect, and the scope of his role will obviously depend on scheme fit.”

Marshawn Lloyd’s Rushing Statistics
2021: 64 carries for 228 yards (3.6 avg.), TD
2022: 111 carries for 573 yards (5.2 avg.), 9 TDs
2023: 116 carries for 820 yards (7.1 avg.), 9 TDs

Marshawn Lloyd’s Receiving Statistics
2021: 3 rec. for 44 yards (14.7 avg.)
2022: 18 rec. for 173 yards (9.6 avg.), 2 TDs
2023: 13 rec. for 232 yards (14.7 avg.)

Lloyd would give the Bucs a more talented option behind White should he go down for any extended amount of time. His only real concern is a penchant for fumbling. Lloyd had eight fumbles in 289 carries.

Round 3 – Auburn DT Marcus Harris
Senior • 6-2, 286

Despite large investments in the interior defensive line recently, the Bucs are still thin after the top in that area. Nose tackle Vita Vea and 2023 first-round Calijah Kancey are a formidable duo, but after two years Logan Hall is still an ineffective pass rusher. Greg Gaines is solid backup nose tackle, but the Bucs could use additional pass rush juice in the middle of the defense. Enter Marcus Harris. He’s a twitchy, gap-shooting playmaker with more play strength than his 286-pound frame would indicate.

Harris started his career at Kansas, where he compiled 29 tackles over eight games before transferring to Auburn and elevating his play considerably. In the vaunted SEC, Harris had almost 20 tackles for a loss, nine sacks and 39 pressures over 24 games.

Marcus Harris’ Defensive Stats
2019: 2 tackles
2020: 27 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, FF, FR
2021: 27 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, FR, TD
2022: 30 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU
2021: 40 tackles, 11 TFLs, 7 sacks, PBU, FF, FR

Harris has a quick first step and uses it to penetrate into the backfield quickly. He has strong hands and natural leverage that he uses to throw bigger offensive lineman. Auburn miscast him at times, putting him at nose tackle where double teams could drive him back, but he was still a very effective run defender. Harris has positional versatility that the Bucs covet as they prefer players who can be “multiple.”

Damian Harris (no relation) of The Draft Network describes Harris as “an active, undersized interior defensive lineman who has flashed disruptive abilities to impact the quarterback.” 

Round 5 – Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini
Junior • 6-4, 310

The Bucs have jettisoned several of last year’s interior offensive linemen. Gone are Matt Feiler, Aaron Stinnie and Nick Leverett. The team has brought in a couple of depth players in Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta. But long-term depth should be a priority. Jason Licht has found success in the past with offensive linemen in the mid-rounds of the draft and he favors positional versatility. That is something Tanor Bortolini brings in spades. Bortolini logged time at every position on the offensive line during his four years in Wisconsin.

Bortolini built up trust with his coaching staff in each subsequent season he played at Wisconsin, logging 116 snaps at center over three games including one start his freshman year in 2020. The following season, he increased his play time to 329 snaps across three positions (RT, LG, LG) while playing in nine games and starting five. In 2022, he played exclusively at guard for 661 snaps over 11 games (10 starts). Bortolini finished his collegiate career back at his original center position, starting all 12 games at center.

Tanor Bortolini’s Pro Football Focus Grades
2020: 47.8 grade – 1 QB hurry allowed
2021: 87.0 grade – 1 sack surrendered, 1 QB hit, 3 QB hurries allowed
2022: 74.3 grade – 1 sack surrendered, 3 QB hits, 2 QB hurries allowed
2023: 65.9 grade – 1 sack surrendered, 2 QB hits, 8 QB hurries allowed

Bortolini’s positional flexibility and experience are his best calling cards. He has played in both lateral zone and power run scheme’s and is a solid pass protector. His strong lower half gives him the base to move to guard if needed.

Bortolini is a plus and fluid mover, who can work in space well. He’s very good on double teams with great feel for timing his strikes and keeps his feet moving as he finishes. He’s not without warts, as he can lose his center of gravity and get caught leaning. Bortolini can also be slow to find second level rushers on his backside. But with lots of experience and upside, he’s someone who could challenge for the starting center position – even as a rookie.

Round 6 – Texas WR Jordan Whittington
Senior • 6-1, 204

Jason Licht has not been shy about doubling up on a single position in past drafts. In 2023, Licht took edge rusher Yaya Diaby in the third round before doubling up with Jose Ramirez in the sixth round. In 2021, he selected linebackers K.J. Britt and Grant Stuard two rounds apart on Day 3. He selected two running backs in 2020 with Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round and Raymond Calais in the seventh. In both 2018 and 2019, Licht drafted drafted a pair of cornerbacks. You get the point.

In a deep receiver class and with a receiver room that is aging at the top and unproven at the back end, it would make sense that Licht would hedge his bets by selecting another receiver on Day 3. Whittington is a fifth-year senior with a litany of injuries that have eaten into his playing time and production. His build and lack of top-end speed turn his profile into that of a power slot receiver.

Whittington is a good technician who cuts his stems late, thus making it difficult for defenders to stay on top of his routes and lets him win late. He has good hands with a career drop rate under 7%. He’s a good creator after the catch and isn’t afraid to work through traffic in the middle of the field.

Jordan Whittington’s Receiving Stats
2019: 2 rec. for 17 yards (8.5 avg.)
2020: 21 rec. for 206 yards (9.8 avg.)
2021: 26 rec. for 377 yards (14.5 avg.) 3 TDs
2022: 50 rec. for 652 yards (13.0 avg.), TD
2023: 42 rec. for 505 yards (12.0 avg.), TD

Derek Tate of Pro Football Network had this to say about Whittington in his draft profile:

“Whittington’s NFL bloodline and high football IQ are there, but his top-end athletic traits leave room for concern when trying to project his game to the professional level.

Whittington has the intangibles — toughness, physical, willing blocker, high motor prospect — that could be useful to an NFL roster. Yet, his contributions as a separator, playmaker, and vertical threat could be less appealing to an NFL team.”

Round 7 – Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace
Junior • 6-2, 241

The Bucs will have some insider information on Wallace as he is coming out of Kentucky, where new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen coached last year. The Bucs have some question marks at the linebacker position. Currently K.J. Britt is set to start alongside Lavonte David. Britt is entering a contract year and has limited experience with most of it coming last season when he filled in for an injured Devin White. Then, he time-shared the role with White late in the season after the former first rounder fell out of favor with the Bucs coaching staff. Behind Britt is last year’s day three pick SirVocea Dennis.

Wallace is an uber-athletic linebacker with incredible marks in both speed and explosive tests.

Trevin Wallace is a LB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.33 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 190 out of 2800 LB from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/oezEG4lUSY pic.twitter.com/qCJtN0E8US

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 3, 2024

Wallace moves well in space and is a great pursuit player, but Bleacher Report’s scouting profile on him says that he lacks the power behind his pads and the power to properly stack and shed in the run game when offensive linemen get their hands on him. His athletic profile shows a player who physically can work in the pass game, but he will need to develop better situational awareness in zone coverage to find himself in the right spot.

This is similar to the report on White when he came out of LSU in 2019. But with Wallace, that bet is being made on an athletic Day 3 pick as opposed to a Top 5 selection.

Trevin Wallace’s Defensive Stats
2021: 32 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, PBU, FF
2022: 54 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 INT
2023: 80 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, INT, FF