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The 2023 NFL season is officially over. It is draft season! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South and took down the reigning NFC champions in the wild-card round. Quarterback Baker Mayfield impressed many on the team, and it looks like he will be back in 2024. Mike Evans is the big question mark. He is a free agent and will command a big payday. The defense is aging and needs some young talent on the unit. Here is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft guide.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: No. 26 overall
- Round 2: No. 57 overall
- Round 3: No. 89 overall
- Round 4: No. 126 overall
- Round 6: No. 203 overall
- Round 7: No. 244 overall
- Round 7: No. 255 overall
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a standard set of picks. They get one compensatory pick and their fifth-rounder left via a trade. Other than that, they have all their picks. Tampa Bay’s draft strategy will become more clear when free agency kicks off. Evans isn’t the only high-profile free agent. Antoine Winfield Jr. is also a free agent. The team has to decide whether they stick with their long time staples or move in a younger direction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft Needs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need the following positions: EDGE, WR, CB, QB, IOL
Tampa Bay needs some youth on defense. Edge rusher is a premium position, and the Buccaneers need to be able to pressure opposing quarterbacks. If Evans does re-sign, the wide receiver position becomes less of a need as he and Chris Godwin are an excellent duo.
Quarterback is the biggest conundrum. Reports indicate Mayfield will get a three-year deal similar to what Geno Smith got for Seattle. It commits him to the team beyond one season, but the team has protections in case last year was a one-hit-wonder season. In the second round, they may have to make a decision on a quarterback, depending on who is available.
Mock Draft
Mock drafts are done on NFL Mock Draft Database. No trades were executed. Obviously, teams tend to wheel and deal, but this is meant to give a look at what the team can do with the draft capital they currently have.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 26 overall Demeioun “Chop” Robinson EDGE Penn State
- Round 2: No. 57 overall T.J. Tampa CB Iowa State
- Round 3: No. 89 overall Christian Haynes IOL UConn
- Round 4: No. 126 overall Brenden Rice WR USC
- Round 6: No. 203 overall Josh Proctor S Ohio State
- Round 7: No. 244 overall Braiden McGregor EDGE Michigan
- Round 7: No. 255 overall Taulia Tagovailoa QB Maryland
Mock Draft Analysis
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be very pleased with this draft. Chop Robinson is not getting the buzz he deserves. I have him way higher on my personal board, but the league favors others right now. Throughout the draft, the Bucs get a bunch of solid players. Tampa is a good corner out of Iowa State. Haynes showed good flashes as a Huskie, and USC has a history of pumping out good receivers.
In this mock draft, there was never a good quarterback available when the Bucs were on the clock. However, I have them grabbing Tagovailoa out of Maryland. He was denied another year of eligibility, so he was forced to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bucs would hope his experience, paired with some time to learn the system, will lead to value down the road.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to defend their NFC South crown in 2024. The Falcons are their most likely challenger, but they still have tons of roster questions. If the Bucs can re-sign a couple of key players, they could be in good shape to return to the playoffs again in 2024.
