The preliminary wave of NFL free company has come and gone this week, and the Bucs did some essential work main into it after which all through it. First, it was about re-signing broad receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, kicker Chase McLaughlin and linebacker Lavonte David. Franchise tagging Antoine Winfield Jr. was additionally a part of the essential in-house strikes Tampa Bay made.
Along with bringing again among the larger names, the Bucs additionally re-signed operating again Chase Edmonds, offensive sort out Brandon Walton, defensive sort out Greg Gaines, quarterback John Wolford and swing sort out Justin Skule.
Bucs S Jordan Whitehead – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
There have been new additions as effectively, albeit with one being a well-known face because the crew introduced again sturdy security Jordan Whitehead two years after he left Tampa in free company. Cornerback Bryce Corridor and inside offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta have been additionally among the many Bucs’ newest additions.
So, these re-signings and new additions made up the primary huge wave of free company for Tampa Bay. There might be extra to return, in fact, particularly because the crew appears to be like to maximise worth and discover the most effective offers potential to handle its remaining wants whereas staying inside its wage cap constraints.
However the place does that go away issues for the Bucs as they start to shift gears towards the 2024 Draft subsequent month?
Tampa Bay nonetheless has wants, primarily at heart, edge rusher and doubtlessly inside linebacker, cornerback and tight finish/broad receiver. What do the newest mock drafts mission, then? It’s time for one more look within the newest Bucs Mock Draft Roundup, this one being the post-free company (no less than the preliminary interval) version.
Bucs Publish-Free Company Mock Draft Roundup
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean – Picture by: USA At the moment
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
“Todd Bowles CBs will press you and get in your grill, however additionally they want to have the ability to pedal again in zone and play area. Cooper DeJean may match effectively on the boundary on this scheme along with his velocity and instincts, however he additionally has the body and physicality to rotate into the slot.”
Spherical 2, Decide 57: Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell
“It’s basically a clear slate for Tampa Bay at EDGE this offseason, and Chris Braswell can help YaYa Diaby along with his speed-to-power and lively palms across the arc.”
Spherical 3, Decide 89: Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
“There are questions on Jonathon Brooks‘ final ceiling on the NFL degree, however at his ground, he’s a scheme-versatile runner who can slash by vertical lanes along with his velocity.”
Spherical 3, Decide 92: Kansas OL Dominick Puni
“Dominick Puni performed sort out for Kansas in 2023, however he tasks very effectively at guard and heart along with his potential to play sq.. He may file in wherever Tampa Bay wants him.”
Spherical 4, Decide 125: Baylor DT Gabe Corridor
Spherical 6, Decide 220: Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett
Spherical 7, Decide 246: Limestone WR Jelani Baker
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
“Identified for its vaunted protection over time, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t resist seeing a participant like Chop Robinson drop to them regardless of different urgent wants that ought to be addressed. The Bucs pull the set off on this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, bagging a dense, explosive cross rusher with a great deal of burst, twitch, and a violent first step.”
Alabama CB Kool-Help McKinstry Picture by: USA At the moment
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Alabama CB Kool-Help McKinstry
“The Buccaneers shipped Carlton Davis to the Lions, which made sense based mostly on Davis’ price ticket and Tampa’s earlier strikes (re-signing Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans). Kool-Help McKinstry isn’t as extremely touted as former Alabama teammate Terrion Arnold, however he has all of the instruments to develop right into a constant outdoors nook.”
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Alabama CB Kool-Help McKinstry
“The Bucs traded Carlton Davis and a few late choices to the Lions for a third-round decide on the primary day of authorized tampering. They’ll want no less than yet one more nook for a rotation that features Jamel Dean, Christian Izien (who was a nice shock in his rookie season) and Zyon McCollum. Dean is the oldest of the bunch, however McKinstry provides extra big-time expertise after taking part in his faculty ball at Bama.”
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
“The run on edge rushers put the Bucs ready the place they go for offensive sort out Amarius Mims.”
Spherical 2, Decide 57: Utah EDGE Jonah Elliss
UCLA edge Laiatu Latu – Picture by: USA At the moment
Spherical 1, Decide 26: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
“There are some whispers popping out of Indianapolis that Laiatu Latu’s medicals might be regarding. He had a protracted listing of accidents to comb by, every crew may view Latu’s standing in a different way.
“Latu has top-of-the-class tape on the sphere and a excessive sufficient athletic profile to wager on within the NFL. He’s solely obtainable right here due to some medical considerations, however the potential reward is effectively well worth the threat this late within the first spherical.”
Spherical 1, Decide 26: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
“The Bucs ranked under common in strain fee final 12 months regardless of blitzing at one of many highest clips within the league. They then launched EDGE Shaq Barrett for cap functions. Laiatu Latu, PFF’s No. 1 graded EDGE in faculty soccer final 12 months, would supply an instantaneous influence for a crew trying to push deeper into the playoffs.”
Duke OL Graham Barton – Picture by: USA At the moment
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Duke OL Graham Barton
“Tampa Bay has executed all the pieces in its energy to retain its finest gamers however the offensive line has taken a success over the previous few offseasons dropping key gamers like Alex Cappa, Ryan Jensen, Ali Marpet and Shaq Mason. Graham Barton has performed left sort out however tasks inside on the subsequent degree.”
Spherical 1, Decide 26: Duke OL Graham Barton
Spherical 1, Decide 32 (through commerce with Kansas Metropolis): Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
“Ryan Jensen’s retirement makes heart an instantaneous want for Tampa Bay. Powers-Johnson has an incredible anchor and fast ft, and the facility in his palms is clear. There are nuances in his pass-protection method that may get him in hassle, however he tasks out as a very good starter.”
