He’s solid.
So the way Joe looks at it, the two primary needs of the Bucs in the draft are inside linebacker and corner.
Secondary needs? Receiver, safety and running back. Let Joe explain:
The Bucs’ two best receivers are 32 and 29 and the young guy has had two major injuries to his wheels including a dislocated ankle he is currently trying to return from. Running back? Joe loves the current running backs but what are the odds Rachaad White signs a second contract with the Bucs? And next year Sean Tucker will be in his contract year.
But yeah, it’s inside linebacker the biggest hole on the roster. And it seems the son of a former NFL punter agrees.
John Breech of CBS went through every team in the NFL looking at their post-free agency biggest need. Breech too thinks the Bucs [need to draft](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-free-agency-biggest-need-remaining-for-every-team-after-first-wave-of-free-agent-signings/) an inside linebacker at No. 19.
> **Buccaneers:** Linebacker
>
> Safety and linebacker are probably two of the biggest needs if you are a believer that Cade Otton can be a solution for them at tight end. They re-signed Lavonte David but, at some point, he is going to move on and there is not a transition of power in waiting.
Joe is a believer in Cade Otton. He showed Joe a lot last year when both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down with injuries. Otton damn near carried the passing game.
Otton has improved each year. What more do you want from a player who finds a way to improve each season? After his play last year, Joe thinks, at worst, Otton is an average tight end.
The way Todd Bowles spoke about Tykee Smith at the combine, it appears he will have the inside track to fill the hole left by Jordan Whitehead’s exit.
So in Joe’s mind, inside linebacker is the hole the Bucs need to fill next month in the draft. And Joe still has a thing for Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.