The first two waves of free agency are behind us as the calendar flips from March to April. For the Bucs and the other 31 teams in the NFL, that means draft month has arrived. In just a few weeks, 257 players will be drafted, and needs will be filled on rosters all over the league.
For the Bucs, those needs aren’t as plentiful as they were when March began. Re-signing Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Ben Bredeson and a host of depth pieces combined with the additions of Haason Reddick, Anthony Walker Jr. and Kindle Vildor set Tampa Bay up in a good spot heading into Draft Weekend, which runs from Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26.
With the way the roster stands right now, general manager Jason Licht and his staff could go in a variety of directions with the No. 19 overall pick – as well as the other five picks they have throughout Friday and Saturday.
So, while Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds just dropped his own first-round mock on Monday and Pewter Report’s 2025 Mock Draft 4.0 is on its way later this week, let’s take a look around the NFL world and see what national NFL and draft analysts are projecting for the Bucs in this year’s draft.
Bucs Mock Draft Roundup 2025: 23 Days Until The Draft
The Draft Network’s Jaime Eisner
Texas Cb Jahdae Barron
Texas CB Jahdae Barron – Photo by: USA Today
Round 1, Pick 19: Texas CB Jahdae Barron
“Jahdae Barron is a do-it-all defensive back with five interceptions and 11 passes defensed for Texas this season. Put him outside, at nickel, linebacker, safety, it doesn’t matter. Barron will find a way to make an impact in the Buccaneers’ secondary.”
Pro Football Network’s Brentley Weissman
Round 1, Pick 19: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
“There are some character concerns regarding James Pearce Jr. However, I will grade him strictly based on the film and his athletic testing. Pearce is one of the most talented pass rushers in this class and is a bit undervalued.
Pearce is a speed rusher who can bend and flatten when turning the arc. He would give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers an exciting pass-rushing option to add to their defensive front.”
Round 2, Pick 53: Iowa State CB Darien Porter
“Darien Porter has rare length and overall athleticism and likely could go much higher in the draft. He lacks experience as a starter and is still raw, but the tools are just too good to pass up. I love the idea of Porter learning from a defensive mind like Todd Bowles, who can get the most out of him.”
Round 3, Pick 84: Miami TE Elijah Arroyo
“Elijah Arroyo is a talented pass-catching tight end who can come in and compete with Cade Otton. Surrounding Baker Mayfield with more weapons is always a good idea.”
Round 4, Pick 121: Oklahoma S Billy Bowman
Round 5, Pick 157: UConn OT Chase Lundt
Round 7, Pick 235: LSU WR Kyren Lacy
The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke
Georgia Lb Jalon Walker Nfl Draft Bucs
Georgia LB Jalon Walker – Photo by: USA Today
Round 1, Pick 19: Georgia LB Jalon Walker
“Lavonte David is nearing the end of his career, but a guy like Jalon Walker could be a great succession plan as a more modern off-ball linebacker.”
Fox Sports’ Geoff Schwartz
Round 1, Pick 19: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
“The Bucs have needs on defense that can be addressed later in the draft. I do not think they pass on the production of Ezeiruaku. He projects as an impact rusher now.”
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm
Round 1, Pick 19: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
“The Bucs have traditionally not strayed too far from their primary needs under GM Jason Licht in Round 1, so snagging Campbell makes perfect sense — and could be a home run selection. I believe he’s a top-15 player in this draft and could be the franchise’s next great linebacker.”
CBS Sports’ Kyle Stackpole
Alabama Ilb Jihaad Campbell Bucs
Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell – Photo by: UA Athletics
Round 1, Pick 19: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
“Perfect landing spot for Jihaad Campbell. Not only will he be able to learn how to be an NFL linebacker from consummate pro Lavonte David, but Todd Bowles can also maximize Campbell’s pass-rushing chops on third down and in blitzing situations.”
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards
Round 1, Pick 19: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
“Jihaad Campbell is an elite athlete who can provide pass rush from an off-ball role. Tampa Bay has a cerebral veteran linebacker so the hope is that he can download what he has learned into the rookie.”
Round 2, Pick 53: Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
Round 3, Pick 84: Ole Miss EDGE Jared Ivey
NFL.com’s Charles Davis
Round 1, Pick 19: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
“With Todd Bowles at the helm, the Bucs defense is predicated on creating pressure. Campbell can play off the ball, but expect him to be utilized extensively off the edge.”
Pro Football Network’s Reese Decker
Arizona Wr Tetairoa Mcmillan
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan – Photo by: USA Today
Round 1, Pick 19: Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
“Mike Evans just completed his 11th season in the NFL, once again recording over 1,000 receiving yards on a ceremonious reception in the final week of the regular season. While Evans seems like a timeless wonder, he can’t play forever, especially at such a dynamic level. On top of Evans’ inevitable aging, his running mate, Chris Godwin, is 29 and finished last season on IR due to a dislocated ankle, the second serious lower-body injury of his career.
At 6’5”, McMillan is the definition of a mismatch nightmare for defensive backs. He’s far more than a token red-zone weapon—he’s a smooth, polished receiver with excellent body control and the ability to transition in and out of breaks fluidly. He’s a physical player who craves the contested catch and is an elite tracker of the football.
He’s a plug-and-play receiver with legitimate upside. Tampa would be a perfect fit, allowing McMillan to learn and develop alongside a similar-styled player who is on the expressway to receiving a coveted gold jacket five years following the completion of his career.”
Round 2, Pick 53: Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison
Round 3, Pick 84: South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino
Round 1, Pick 19: Georgia S Malaki Starks
“Bringing in Haason Reddick to shore up their pass rush allows Tampa Bay to be flexible with this pick. Forcing a safety pick isn’t necessary, but Antoine Winfield Jr. could use a better running mate than the cast of past undrafted talents.
Malaki Starks fits like a glove next to Winfield and would free the veteran to roam over the middle of the field or in the box. Starks’ elite deep range can be maximized in Tampa.”
247 Sports’ Zack Pearson
Round 1, Pick 19: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select the best edge rusher left on the board in Georgia’s Mykel Williams.”