The 2025 Bucs offseason is underway and it’s time for Pewter Report’s 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft FINAL – offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux. Remember to tune into Pewter Report’s Mock Draft Present to debate the fifth and last Bucs mock draft stay at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 21 on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel.
Tampa Bay confirmed some enchancment within the 2024 common season, successful 10 video games and a fourth straight NFC South championship – the third underneath head coach Todd Bowles. However the Bucs couldn’t advance previous the NFC Wild Card spherical, dropping a house playoff sport to the Commanders, 23-20.
The group didn’t have practically the quantity of pending free brokers that it did in 2024, and so they had been capable of re-sign all three of its starters who had been set to discover free company in left guard Ben Bredeson, extensive receiver Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David.
The group addressed a few urgent wants in free company along with re-signing the above three together with reserve defenders Anthony Nelson, Greg Gaines, Bryce Corridor and backup quarterback Kyle Trask. The Bucs signed edge rusher Haason Reddick to switch Joe Tryon-Shoyinka reverse Yaya Diaby. In addition they signed punter Riley Dixon to offer consistency on particular groups, in addition to reserve inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and reserve cornerback Kindle Vildor.
The Bucs wish to signal three gamers to contract extensions this offseason if doable – proper sort out Luke Goedeke, cornerback Zyon McCollum and tight finish Cade Otton, as all three are getting into contract years in 2025.
Taking all of this into consideration, here’s a take a look at the group’s personnel wants, listed so as of significance.
Bucs Personnel Wants
Cornerback
Bucs CB Jamel Dean and Commanders WR Terry McLaurin – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs moved on from Carlton Davis III final 12 months. His huge wage didn’t match his lack of interceptions, and Davis struggled to remain on the sector with quite a few accidents over the previous couple of seasons. Tampa Bay was fortunate to discover a commerce associate in Detroit and obtain a third-round decide for Davis.
Jamel Dean is in an analogous state of affairs, as he has only one decide in two years and has missed a complete of 9 video games over the previous two seasons. And Dean missed the second half of the playoff loss to Washington, which proved to be pricey.
Chopping or buying and selling Dean would save the group practically $8.3 million in cap room, however that hasn’t occurred but. The cornerback market has exploded in free company and Dean’s cap hit of $15,136,941 may very well be thought of a cut price proper now. When wholesome, Dean is a high quality starter, however the Bucs want a extra dependable cornerback sooner moderately than later.
If Tampa Bay strikes on from Dean, the Bucs will want one other starting-caliber cornerback to switch him and pair alongside Zyon McCollum. That might come within the 2025 NFL Draft with a premium decide.
Bucs G.M. Jason Licht has solely spent one first-round decide on a cornerback and that didn’t end up properly, as Vernon Hargreaves III was a bust in 2016. Tampa Bay has had higher success drafting cornerbacks within the center rounds like Davis (second spherical, 2018), Sean Murphy-Bunting (second spherical, 2019) and Dean (third spherical, 2019).
The Bucs might use not less than two extra proficient cornerbacks behind McCollum on the depth chart. Bryce Corridor is coming back from a damaged leg he suffered in Week 1 final 12 months, and Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk confirmed they aren’t starting-caliber gamers of their restricted taking part in time in 2024. The Bucs want to significantly improve the cornerback room, and want a starting-caliber nickelback if Tykee Smith strikes to sturdy security.
Inside Linebacker
Lavonte David joins SirVocea Dennis as the one present starters. Dennis, noticed his second 12 months in Tampa Bay lower brief by a season-ending shoulder damage in Week 4, made a robust impression early on in protection and as a blitzer. However given his penchant for being injured, the Bucs want so as to add not less than another high quality inside linebacker and did that with veteran Anthony Walker, who is best in protection than both Ok.J. Britt or J.J. Russell.
Britt, who signed with Miami, lacks the athleticism to be a starter and was supplanted within the beginning lineup on the finish of the season by Russell, whom the Bucs haven’t elected to re-sign. Veteran Deion Jones, 30, was already re-signed to an affordable, one-year deal, however he’s not a lock to make the roster.
Simply because that is the Bucs’ prime want doesn’t imply that this would be the group’s first-round decide. Tampa Bay used the fifth general decide on inside linebacker Devin White in 2019, and whereas he helped the group win Tremendous Bowl LV in his second season, his play fell off significantly in his last two years in Tampa Bay. Of the 4 Professional Bowl inside linebackers this 12 months, just one – Baltimore’s Roquan Smith – was a first-rounder.
Outdoors Linebacker
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs are proud of Yaya Diaby, who enters his third season, as one starter at exterior linebacker. Whereas Diaby’s pressures had been up – he completed with 65, which was the ninth-best amongst edge rushers – his sacks had been down. Diaby had 7.5 sacks as a rookie and simply 4.5 sacks final 12 months.
Newly signed Haason Reddick represents a buy-low play with a ton of upside. He was probably the most disruptive cross rushers within the NFL from 2020-2023 and nonetheless confirmed loads of burst and bend to win the excessive aspect final 12 months in restricted motion for the Jets. That’s a high quality the group has not had since earlier than Shaq Barrett suffered a torn Achilles in 2022. However the deal continues to be for only one 12 months and carries a good quantity of uncertainty. Jason Licht has proven a capability to each construct for the current and the long run and will look to double down on the place.
That might imply there may be nonetheless an excellent likelihood that the Bucs spend one other premium decide on an out of doors linebacker. Licht has hit on a number of defensive tackles within the NFL Draft over time however has struggled to discover a stud edge rusher able to changing into a double-digit sacker. Noah Spence, a 2016 second-round decide, flamed out rapidly, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a first-round decide in 2021, didn’t stay as much as expectations. Diaby, a third-round decide in 2023, has been an excellent participant, however the jury continues to be out on 2024 second-rounder Chris Braswell, who has been sluggish to develop.
The contracts of Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson had been up, and the group opted to have Nelson return as a reserve exterior linebacker as soon as once more whereas letting JTS stroll in free company. The Bucs even have Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez underneath contract, however each are thought of reserves and will not be locks to make the group in 2025.
Broad Receiver
The Bucs’ plans to re-sign Chris Godwin this offseason grew to become a actuality. Godwin turned 29 in February however proved to be a super slot in Liam Coen’s new offense earlier than struggling a season-ending ankle damage in Week 7. His return offers new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard the group’s three prime three receivers once more in 2025 with Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. However the Bucs want one other starting-caliber receiver for the No. 4 spot in case accidents strike the receiver place once more, in addition to for the long run as Evans is getting into a contract 12 months and turns 32 in August.
Trey Palmer may very well be on the outs with the group after underwhelming in 2024 and dropping the WR3 position to McMillan throughout his rookie season. He performed no higher than follow squad receivers Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett. Veteran Sterling Shepard was elevated to the position of a starter for some time with Evans and Godwin out, however he turns 31 this 12 months and had too many pricey drops to rely on as WR4.
Search for the Bucs to draft a much bigger physique at extensive receiver to affix the combination in 2025. Tampa Bay has too many 190-pound receivers, and Grizzard’s offense would thrive with larger receivers just like the 220-pound Evans and the 205-pound Godwin.
Security
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and DB Tykee Smith – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Tampa Bay has probably the most proficient safeties in Antoine Winfield Jr., who was a bona fide playmaker throughout his first 4 years in Tampa Bay till this previous 12 months when accidents price him eight video games throughout the common season. Winfield ought to return with a vengeance in 2025 and be again to his common playmaking self.However the Bucs want one other playmaker on the different security place. Jordan Whitehead was an enormous disappointment in his return to Tampa Bay on a two-year deal after a two-year absence and the group declined his 2025 possibility, making him a free agent.
The Bucs spent a third-round decide on Tykee Smith final 12 months and he began 14 video games at nickelback however may also play sturdy security if Todd Bowles needs to go that route. Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather don’t make sufficient performs to ideally crack the beginning lineup, though each are high quality reserves with Izien providing a whole lot of flexibility.
The Bucs might very properly draft a security within the center rounds, or double up on the cornerback place with one among them taking part in within the slot and shifting Smith to sturdy security. Smith and Mike Edwards, who simply went again to Kansas Metropolis, had been third-rounders, and Whitehead was a fourth-rounder.
Defensive Deal with
The Bucs have two of the most effective defensive tackles in soccer in Professional Bowler Vita Vea, who recorded a career-high seven sacks in 2024, and Calijah Kancey, who led the group with 7.5 sacks in his second 12 months in Tampa Bay. Logan Corridor, the group’s prime decide in 2022, had a breakout 12 months with 5.5 sacks as a reserve and enters a contract 12 months in 2025.
Regardless of having three high quality defensive tackles, the Bucs would have drafted Illinois defensive sort out Johnny Newton with the No. 26 decide final 12 months if offensive lineman Graham Barton was off the board. G.M. Jason Licht believes in having high quality depth at defensive sort out, and Vea turns 30 in 2025. Tampa Bay re-signed Greg Gaines for an additional 12 months for depth, however the group may transfer on from Will Gholston, who turns 34 in July.
If the best defensive sort out is there in the best spherical and he’s the most effective participant accessible, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Licht and head coach Todd Bowles the pull set off and draft one other one this 12 months. This 12 months’s draft class is loaded at defensive sort out and Tampa Bay may lean into that place and reap the benefits of the depth there.
Bucs’ 2025 NFL Draft Picks
The Bucs presently have six picks within the 2025 NFL Draft. They traded their sixth-round decide and cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Lions final 12 months in trade for Detroit’s third-round decide, which was used on extensive receiver Jalen McMillan. The Bucs didn’t obtain any compensatory draft picks this offseason.
Pewter Report’s 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft collection is offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux – with three areas within the Tampa Bay space in Wesley Chapel off I-75, Midtown Tampa down the road from Raymond James Stadium and Lakeland. Obtain the FREE Stroll-On’s Rewards app and get a FREE order of mozzarella logs.
2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft FINAL By Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo
Spherical 1 – Boston Faculty OLB Donovan EzeiruakuSenior • 6-3, 248
After addressing the group’s short-term cross rush wants in free company by signing Haason reddick, the Bucs spend money on the long-term outlook by drafting the extremely productive Ezeiruaku. With elite agility and a deep and various cross rush arsenal, Ezeiruaku compliments Tampa Bay’s present exterior linebacker room by offering the group with their second high-side arc winner.
Regardless of a shorter body at simply 6-foot-3 when rounding up, Ezeiruaku’s 34-inch arms are within the seventieth percentile for his place and assist him hold tackles off his body. In addition they assist him in setting the sting within the run sport the place he’s a significantly better participant than he’s given credit score for. The Boston Faculty cross rusher encompasses a lengthy arm, cross chop, rip, swim and inside spin. He places these collectively to create a complicated win-plan that hold tackles guessing all through the sport.
He notched 80 tackles final 12 months, displaying how properly he can stuff the run along with speeding the passer. Ezeiruaku was second within the nation with 16.5 sacks and added 20 QB hits. He additionally has been a turnover machine with eight compelled fumbles in his Boston Faculty profession.
Donovan Ezeiruaku’s Defensive Statistics 2021: 21 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks2022: 61 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, 3 FFs2023: 53 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FFs 2024: 80 tackles, 21 TFLs, 16.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 FFs
In drafting Ezeiruaku, the Bucs arrange their exterior cross rush with complimentary ability units on each the primary and second line with Reddick and Yaya Diaby working mixing skillsets on the prime of the depth chart and Ezeiruaku and Chris Braswell offering an analogous mix on the second line.
Ezeiruaku is available in with out the stress of getting to be a Day 1 starter and produce instantly. He additionally serves as a security web and insurance coverage coverage in case Reddick can’t get again to his double-digit sack days at age 31, or in case Braswell doesn’t develop in his second season in Tampa Bay.
Spherical 2 – East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr.Senior • 6-2, 202
The Bucs have been profitable prior to now drafting huge, quick and athletic corners. They choose to observe that path as soon as once more with Revel, hoping they’ll develop him simply as they did with Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum earlier than.
Revel dominated opponents when he was at ECU. He was simply the most effective athlete on the sector week-in and week-out. His restoration pace is particular, serving to him make up for errors he made on the line of scrimmage when he missed with a punch or bit on a foot pretend. And it’s that unbelievable pace and size that can assist him cowl up errors he makes as he continues to study the place. We don’t have official testing for Revel as he work’s again from an ACL tear, however most analysts agree he can be not less than a 4.4-second 40-yard sprint runner.
Shavon Ravel Jr.’s Defensive Statistics 2022: 8 tackles 2023: 29 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 12 PBUs, 1 FR, 1 TD2024: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs, 1 TD
Revel’s athleticism offers the Bucs improved depth within the secondary to assist hedge towards accidents that ravished Tampa Bay’s protection final 12 months. If present beginning cornerback Jamel Dean succumbs to a different damage, the group can really feel assured they’ve a participant to step in that may maintain up towards NFL caliber athletes.
Revel has the ball abilities Todd Bowles is in search of with three interceptions in simply 15 video games, together with a pick-six. He added one other defensive landing on a fumble restoration throughout his junior season. Revel has been medically cleared to renew exercises and ought to be able to take the sector in coaching camp – if not sooner.
Spherical 3 – California CB Nohl WilliamsSenior • 6-0, 199
In a throwback to 2018, when the Bucs doubled up on nook on day two by drafting each M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis within the second spherical, Tampa Bay goes out and will get one other cornerback, drafting Cal nook Nohl Williams. Williams is a bodily, playmaking nook who can assist the Bucs as they concentrate on discovering ballhawks who can create turnovers.
Williams had 14 interceptions over 5 seasons in faculty – the primary three had been at UNLV earlier than transferring to Cal. Williams led faculty soccer with seven interceptions, together with a pick-six towards Miami’s Cam Ward, final 12 months, along with 9 cross breakups. He confirmed a nostril for the ball in additionally breaking apart a career-high 9 passes final 12 months and totaling 38 cross breakups in his faculty profession for the Rebels and Golden Bears.
Nohl Williams’ Defensive Statistics2020: 25 tackles, FR, 2 PBUs, INT 2021: 33 tackles, 5 PBUs, INT 2022: 40 tackles, TFL, FF, FR, 8 PBUs, 3 INTs2023: 53 tackles, 2 TFLs, FF, 2 FRs, 8 PBUs, 2 INTs, 2 TDs 2024: 52 tackles, TFL, FF, 15 PBUs, 7 INTs, TD
At 6-foot, 199 kilos, Williams has good measurement and is an excellent tackler and a prepared defender in run help. He made huge strides in protection final 12 months, permitting opposing quarterbacks to finish 48.5% of their passes. Williams went up towards some high quality opponents final 12 months, together with Miami, SMU, Pittsburgh, Auburn and Stanford and fared extremely properly throughout his senior season.
Williams can be a developmental nook, however somebody the Bucs would really feel snug as a spot starter attributable to his expertise as a four-year starter. Williams doesn’t have a lot slot expertise however may very well be somebody the group tries to cross practice each inside and outdoors and really properly wind up because the group’s nickelback throughout his rookie season. Williams additionally brings some kick return capacity to Tampa Bay. He averaged 27.6 yards per return on 12 kickoff returns, together with an 80-yard landing, throughout his All-American season.
Spherical 4 – Oregon LB Jeffrey BassaSenior • 6-1, 228
The Bucs might use some fluidity and athleticism in the midst of their protection. Jeffrey Bassa, a former security can convey these abilities to the desk. Of the entire linebackers on this draft Bassa is likely one of the finest at overlaying working backs out of the backfield. That’s among the finest indicators for capacity to develop protection abilities on the second degree. He confirmed his potential as a protection ‘backer on the Senior Bowl when he picked up a crosser growing off of play-action behind him and coated him up the far sideline and ending by breaking apart the cross.
He’s an aggressive participant who may be weaponized downhill. In 2023 Bassa was used as a cross rusher over 100 instances, producing 27 pressures and he’s a fast nearer on performs to the flat and on toss/sweep/exterior zone runs to the perimeter. He can sift via visitors to get to the ball service. And when he will get coated up by blockers, he can hold guys off of his body and make tackles whereas engaged.
Bassa is a positive tackler with good kind and constantly drags ball carriers down. However his processor is a bit slower than you desire to as he has to see run performs develop earlier than he triggers. And he does lack the ball manufacturing one may count on for a former security. Nonetheless his fluid hips and seamless transitions throughout a number of planes make for an intriguing athlete who can contribute on late downs instantly whereas he develops his run defending instincts.
Jeffrey Bassa’s Defensive Statistics2021: 48 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU2022: 62 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 INTs 2023: 72 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 INT, 1 PBU 2024: 54 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, 2 FF
The Bucs might use Bassa in a specialised position throughout his rookie season as he develops right into a full-time starter down the road. He would supply an injection of athleticism into the linebacker room and possibly initiatives finest at Mo (Moneybacker) linebacker spot as Lavonte David’s eventual alternative.
Spherical 5 – Virginia Tech WR Jaylin LaneSenior • 5-10, 191
Whereas the Bucs set quite a lot of information final 12 months in yards after catch attributable to former offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s system, the group doesn’t have a really particular yards-after-catch weapon of their receiver room. Lane might convey that pure skillset, which might amplify the system creativity to a brand new degree. Tampa Bay used quite a lot of gamers final 12 months as returners, together with working backs Sean Tucker and Rachaad White, who changed Bucky Irving when he grew to become the beginning working again. Lane might transfer into that position, successfully giving normal supervisor Jason Licht a starter within the fifth spherical.
Lane is an after-catch creator in the identical vein as Oregon’s Tez Johnson, with significantly much less manufacturing. He’s extra of a slot-only possibility, as he lacks energy and measurement essential to win towards huge and robust corners on the perimeter. Lane is a quick-twitch athlete with spectacular pace that spins him up rapidly.
He works finest when he’s getting fast touches that permit him speed up rapidly to create yards after the catch. However Lane’s YAC-ability is extra focused on his spectacular wind up and fewer attributable to his lateral cuts/strikes. Lane is a restricted route runner who exaggerates his false strikes. However one space the place he can match into the Bucs offense properly is as a defense-stretcher who can get on prime of safeties rapidly. That was a high quality missing from Tampa Bay’s offense final 12 months.
Jaylin Lane’s Receiving Statistics2020: 13 catches, 122 yards, 9.4 avg, 1 TD 2021: 42 catches, 466 yards, 11.1 avg, 4 TDs 2022: 69 catches, 940 yards, 13.6 avg, 5 TDs2023: 41 catches, 538 yards, 13.1 avg, 6 TDs 2024: 38 catches, 466 yards, 12.3 avg, 2 TDs
Lane, who had a proper assembly with the Bucs on the NFL Scouting Mix, additionally offers particular groups worth as a returner. He has a profession 10.6 yards per punt return common together with two profession punt return touchdowns and will wrest that job away from the unspectacular Trey Palmer in 2025.
New Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard needs extra pace on offense at extensive receiver and Lane can ship. Along with his capacity to get vertical and win downfield or his prompt acceleration on screens and beneath passes, Lane can step in instantly at WR4 on the depth chart.
Spherical 7 – South Carolina DT Tonka HemingwaySenior • 6-3, 284
Tonka Hemingway is a compact, gap-slipping defensive sort out. He has sufficient lateral mobility that he can play a flexible position throughout the road as a heavy finish or three-technique. His size offers him the flexibility to maintain offensive linemen off his body as a one-gapper and he has the presence of thoughts to maintain his eyes within the backfield, so he’s always shifting in the direction of the ball.
Hemingway’s eyes additionally assist him improve his ball manufacturing as he always will get his fingers within the air to deflect passes on the line of scrimmage. Between that and his preliminary burst, the Gamecocks star is a real hole penetrator, however he lacks refinement. He sometimes depends on his get-off and taking part in half man to get vertical into the pocket and when he will get squared up and locked down, he will get his fingers as much as attempt to nonetheless have an effect on the play.
Tonka Hemingway’s Defensive Statistics 2020: 16 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBUs, 1 FF2021: 6 tackles 2022: 33 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FRs2023: 32 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1.5 PBUs, 7 PBUs, 2 FRs 2024: 25 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FRs, 1 FF
Hemingway’s measurement and anchor are questionable, and he struggles to carry up towards double-teams. He additionally lacks a cross rush plan that features counters. This results in a boom-or-bust playstyle. However his motor helps him decide up further performs late within the rep as a chaser.
With Logan Corridor getting into a contract 12 months, Hemingway can be a developmental backup three-technique to doubtlessly exchange him in 2026. He might begin his profession as DT5 or DT6 on the depth chart and show to be an improve over gamers like C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene, however ultimately wind up as DT3 with extra added measurement and energy, maybe in 2026.
FINAL Bucs Mock Draft Present 5 – Introduced By Stroll-On’s – Airs Monday At 8:30 p.m. ET
The FINAL Bucs Mock Draft 5 Podcast – offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux – might be broadcast stay on Monday, April twenty first at 8:30 p.m. ET on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel in addition to live-streamed on our X and Fb channels – @PewterReport.
No person covers the Tampa Bay offseason higher than Pewter Report. However you knew that, didn’t you? From our inside scoop on teaching hires and the free brokers the Bucs are concentrating on, to our Bucs Mock Drafts and nailing Bucs’ Finest Bets on the subject of Tampa Bay’s drafts – PewterReport.com and our PewterReportTV YouTube channel are your go-to locations now that the offseason is right here.
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Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo will host a particular Bucs Mock Draft Podcast at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday night time – sponsored by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux – to go over our last Bucs Mock Draft of the offseason, reply your questions and get your reactions. The Bucs Mock Draft Podcast might be broadcast stay from our PewterReportTV YouTube channel in addition to live-streamed on our X and Fb channels – @PewterReport.
