While NFL free agency is not over, many of the top free agents are off the board. The Bucs have already made several moves to improve the roster, and while there are still players on the market the team can sign, focus now shifts toward the 2025 NFL Draft. The biggest additions the team will add at this point is how general manager Jason Licht prefers to build up his roster.
After signing or re-signing outside linebacker Haason Reddick, cornerbacks Kindle Vildor and Bryce Hall, and inside linebacker Anthony Walker, the team has teetered between adding better depth while also leaving room to add more young talent. When assessing which position is the team’s biggest need, there is not one clearcut answer, although it remains on the defensive side of things.
The Bucs could still stand to add defensive talent at each level, which would allow them to bring in younger talent to truly form the next core of head coach Todd Bowles’ side of the football. With the first week and a half of free agency in the books, here is a look at what the latest mock drafts have to say. There is one player who insiders are linking to the team more than ever…
You can keep up to date with the latest news and rumors on PewterReport.com as draft season is fully upon us.
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Alabama Ilb Jihaad Campbell Bucs
Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell – Photo by: USA Today
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell
Campbell is buzzy right now and rising the board, so he might not be available at No. 19. But if he is there, he’d be a good fit for Tampa Bay. Lavonte David is back, but he is 35 years old. Anthony Walker Jr. was brought in too, but the linebacker room will need more reinforcements. And Campbell would be able to impact multiple phases of this defense with his speed, instincts and versatility. He had 112 tackles, 5 sacks and 4 pass breakups last season.
One other position to watch: cornerback. Tampa Bay’s defense had just seven picks last season, and starter Zyon McCollum is signed for only one more year. Texas’ Jahdae Barron, who is No. 23 on my Big Board, could fit.
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Bucs GM Jason Licht has always valued production, and Ezeiruaku brings exactly that to the table with 16.5 sacks last season. He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft.
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell
The Bucs had one of the best offenses last year, so I think they can focus on defense here. I really like Campbell’s potential. He’s an excellent player and would be a natural plug and play type player for a team looking to compete.
Tennessee Edge James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photo by: USA Today
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr. has elite juice off the edge. That’s something that can be a weapon without even a refined pass-rushing skillset in Todd Bowles scheme from Day 1.
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori
Getting a freak athlete like Emmanwori to play on the back end opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. is an enticing opportunity for the Buccaneers.
If anyone knows how to make the most out of a weapon like this, it’s Todd Bowles.
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell
Lavonte David is 35 years old, and the Buccaneers have yet to solidify the linebacker position next to him since Devin White’s departure a year ago. Campbell has the size and is an elite athlete for the position. He needs to develop his read-and-react ability, but there is no better team to go to for that with the veteran David back in the fold.