It’s NFL Draft week and now it’s time for the ultimate version of the Pewter Report 2024 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft – energized by CELSIUS, the official power drink of Pewter Report.
Coming off a 9-8 season and a 3rd straight NFC South championship, Tampa Bay crammed a bunch of wants in free company by re-signing each one among its star gamers and including some new free brokers. As anticipated, the Bucs parted methods with 31-year outdated edge rusher Shaq Barrett this offseason, they usually let beginning inside linebacker Devin White stroll in free company.
Tampa Bay additionally traded beginning cornerback Carlton Davis III and a sixth-round choose to Detroit for a third-rounder in a transfer that was forecast by Pewter Report. Most just lately, the Bucs re-signed veteran defensive sort out Will Gholston, who’s again for his twelfth 12 months in Tampa Bay.
Bucs Personnel Wants
Inside Offensive Line
Bucs RG Cody Mauch, C Robert Hainsey, former LG Matt Feiler and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs want a beginning left guard after letting Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie go in free company. Reserve Nick Leverett was additionally not re-signed and as a substitute the Bucs added Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson in free company. Each could possibly be seen as upgraded depth slightly than starter materials. Whereas each will problem for the vacant left guard spot, Bredeson might additionally vie for the middle place.
The Bucs have gotten common play from heart Robert Hainsey over the past two years as a fill-in for injured starter Ryan Jensen. At age 33, Jensen’s profession is over as he’s formally retired as a result of devastating knee damage he suffered in the course of the 2022 coaching camp.
Hainsey is a great, robust participant, however lacks the facility and tone-setting perspective that Jensen delivered to the offensive line. The Bucs might draft a middle to compete with Hainsey, or have a two-man competitors between he and Bredeson, or transfer Cody Mauch to heart both this 12 months or subsequent 12 months.
Outdoors Linebacker
Bucs OLBs YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson – Photograph by: USA Immediately
The Bucs discovered a third-round gem in YaYa Diaby, who led the workforce with 7.5 sacks throughout his rookie season regardless of not being a starter till mid-November. Tampa Bay launched Shaq Barrett, whose manufacturing dipped to only 4.5 sacks at age 31 whereas getting back from a torn Achilles tendon. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round choose, is coming into a contract 12 months and the workforce just isn’t anticipated to select up his fifth-year choice for the 2025 season.
Randy Gregory will work in a rotation and will present some juice. However at 31 years outdated himself and with little or no historical past of reliability or sustained manufacturing, his contributions needs to be seen as a shock surplus slightly than anticipated efficiency.
The Bucs want one other athletic cross rusher who can begin reverse Diaby in 2024. Anthony Nelson is an efficient rotational rusher who is powerful in run protection and can be coming into a contract 12 months. Tampa Bay has two promising younger edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, however neither seems prepared to start out. Tampa Bay can be transferring on from veteran Cam Gill, too.
Whereas a case could be made for every of the gamers already rostered to be part of 2024’s energetic roster, solely Diaby needs to be seen as a lock to be a key contributor. As for Tryon-Shoyinka, Nelson, Gregory, Ramirez and Watts – none of them have sufficient funding in them to preclude the Bucs from including somebody they suppose might turn into a difference-maker.
Secondary
Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead – Photograph by: USA Immediately
The Bucs’ play at sturdy security has taken a step again since shedding Jordan Whitehead in free company after the 2021 season. Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal weren’t the reply in 2022, and neither was Ryan Neal final season. So the Bucs made a clever transfer and re-signed Whitehead in free company. Kaevon Merriweather returns for depth in his second 12 months with the workforce, however the workforce might – and will – add one other security to the combination to safeguard towards damage.
The Bucs traded Carlton Davis III to the Lions, which elevated Zyon McCollum to a beginning function reverse Jamel Dean. Bryce Corridor was signed from the Jets to offer depth at outdoors cornerback, whereas former Texan Tavierre Thomas will problem Christian Izien for the beginning job within the slot. Josh Hayes and Keenan Isaac are the highest reserves at outdoors cornerback, however the Bucs might use one other proficient outdoors nook for competitors.
Inside Linebacker
Bucs LBs Lavonte David and KJ Britt and SS Ryan Neal and Lions RB David Montgomery – Photograph by: USA Immediately
As anticipated, the Bucs re-signed Lavonte David and parted methods with fellow inside linebacker Devin White, a five-year starter and former workforce captain. Okay.J. Britt enters a contract 12 months poised to fill in for White at Mike linebacker whereas David continues to play the Mo ‘backer function. J.J. Russell and SirVocea Dennis present depth and will problem Britt for the appropriate to start out.
It’s not a deep or proficient inside linebacker draft, however don’t rule out the Bucs drafting one. The workforce has introduced in three for Prime 30 visits this offseason.
Working Again
Rachaad White was the wire-to-wire starter at operating again this 12 months for the Bucs, and he exceled in that function because the season went on. Whereas he completed with 990 yards dashing and was 10 yards in need of his first 1,000-yard season, White did prime 1,500 yards in each dashing and receiving, and was the league’s fourth-most productive again.
Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photograph by: USA Immediately
The Bucs want extra depth on the operating again place, as White shouldn’t have to hold such an enormous workload in 2024.
Chase Edmonds is a pleasant change-of-pace again and was re-signed. The Bucs jettisoned former third-round choose Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was a bust, at midseason. Heralded undrafted free agent rookie Sean Tucker by no means made an impression, nor did he see the sphere a lot. The Bucs might use one other good operating again to compete for the backup job behind White in 2024, and be a succesful starter in case White goes down with an damage.
Tight Finish
By way of energy of place, tight finish might need been the weakest in Tampa Bay final 12 months. It was definitely the youngest and most inexperienced with a pair of second-year gamers in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft atop the depth chart, together with rookie Payne Durham. All three gamers are Day 3 picks and the Bucs might use an improve in expertise within the tight finish room.
Not one of the Bucs’ tight ends are actual weapons within the passing sport, neither is any one among them an distinctive blocker. Tampa Bay made do at tight finish this 12 months, however might definitely do higher in 2024 with a extra proficient starter to supplant Otton, who could be higher as TE2.
Bucs’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Bucs presently have seven picks within the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded their fifth-round choose to the Eagles final 12 months in an effort to transfer up and choose huge receiver Trey Palmer within the sixth spherical. The Bucs acquired a sixth-round compensatory choose for the lack of free agent security Mike Edwards within the 2023 offseason. Tampa Bay additionally traded its personal sixth-round choose and cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit for the Lions’ third-round choose.
Pewter Report’s 2024 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft sequence is energized by CELSIUS, the official power drink of Pewter Report. Attempt the brand new CELSIUS Necessities, which are available quite a lot of flavors, together with Cherry Limeade, Blue Crush, Dragonberry, and Orangesicle, and are excellent for the exercise fanatic.
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2024 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft – FINALBy Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo
Spherical 1 – Oregon C Jackson Powers-JohnsonJunior • 6-3, 323
The Bucs might very effectively handle the middle place proper off the bat within the 2024 NFL Draft if Powers-Johnson is offered at No. 26, because the workforce is in search of an improve over Robert Hainsey. Don’t rule out Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht buying and selling as much as get the Oregon heart if he slips previous Pittsburgh at No. 20.
Powers-Johnson initially debuted because the Bucs’ second spherical choose in Pewter Report’s preliminary 2024 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft again in January. However an awesome exhibiting on the Senior Bowl and a few good testing numbers has his inventory on the rise.
Powers-Johnson was a two-year starter at Oregon, the place he performed 350 snaps at proper guard and 44 snaps at heart as a sophomore earlier than turning into a full-time heart in 2023. Throughout his junior season, Powers-Johnson performed 829 snaps at heart and solely allowed one hurry with zero sacks and 0 QB hits surrendered. In three years at Oregon, the 6-foot-3, 323-pounder solely allowed one QB hit.
Powers-Johnson earned a 90.6 cross blocking grade from Professional Soccer Focus final 12 months, along with an 85.2 run blocking grade. A participant with a nasty demeanor, Powers-Johnson even performed some defensive sort out in a pinch in the course of the Alamo Bowl as a freshman, recording his first sort out.
Powers-Johnson’s enjoying fashion is harking back to that of former Bucs Professional Bowl heart Ryan Jensen, who was often known as a violent finisher within the run sport. With a wrestling background from his days in highschool, Powers-Johnson performs with an edge and is the brawler the Bucs want of their inside offensive line.
Spherical 2 – Clemson DT Ruke OrhorhoroJunior • 6-4, 294
The Bucs can’t cross up a proficient defensive lineman just like the versatile Orhorhoro, who performed in all places from nostril sort out to defensive finish alongside Clemson’s line of defense. Seeing most of his motion because the Tigers’ three-technique, Orhorhoro improved his sack whole annually he was at school.
Orhorhoro was thought-about the chief of the Tigers line of defense and is a loud, vocal chief who introduced juice to the Clemson protection. The Nigerian native remains to be comparatively new to soccer, having began enjoying the sport as a junior in his faculty. The Bucs had Orhorhoro in for a Prime 30 go to and likewise had a proper interview with him on the NFL Scouting Mix.
Ruke Orhorhoro’s Defensive Statistics2019: 4 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack2021: 36 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, FR2022: 23 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks, 5 PBUs, FR, safety2023: 22 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, PBU
Orhorhoro is likely one of the most athletic defensive tackles to ever enter the NFL Draft, which is able to resonate with the Bucs brass. He’s an energetic, violent defender who has a superb cross rush sport plan. And when he can’t get to the quarterback, Orhorhoro will get his palms up into the passing lanes, evidenced by his 9 profession cross breakups.
Spherical 3 – Boston Faculty G Christian MahoganyJunior • 6-3, 313
The Bucs wind up being affected person with regards to discovering their new beginning left guard with Mahogany within the third spherical. The Boston Faculty star performs larger than his 6-foot-3, 314-pound body would point out. That’s due partially to his heavy palms when he lands punches to defender’s chests, and his nasty, chippy demeanor.
The attention-grabbing factor about this choice is {that a} breaks a Bucs mildew. Basic supervisor Jason Licht hasn’t drafted a real guard since 2014 when he chosen Tennessee State’s Kadeem Edwards within the fifth spherical. Each different guard Licht has chosen has been a school left sort out that he’s moved inside to protect.
Mahogany confirmed some shocking athleticism on the NFL Scouting Mix, however there are some questions on how nimble he’s with regards to zone blocking. Boston Faculty ran extra man/hole performs that featured Mahogany’s energy within the run sport.
The 2-year starter at proper guard will want some work in cross safety, however he has all of the instruments to turn into an NFL starter in comparatively quick order. Mahogany might begin the season at left guard, or develop for a bit behind veteran Sua Opeta, who was signed from Philadelphia in free company.
Spherical 3 – USC RB MarShawn LloydJunior • 5-9, 220
The Bucs add one other dual-threat weapon to the operating again room with Lloyd within the third spherical. Whereas he has lower than 300 profession carries in school, Lloyd, who’s a compactly constructed large again at 220 kilos, has loads of miles on his tires as he enters the NFL at age 23. Tampa Bay might use an improve on the RB2 spot, as final 12 months the workforce bought little or no out of the operating backs behind starter Rachaad White.
Chase Edmonds was injured and ineffective, and is healthier suited to be RB3, whereas Sean Tucker is essentially unproven. Tampa Bay correctly moved on from Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was a third-round bust from the 2021 draft. Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht seemingly likes to draft operating backs within the third spherical although, and Lloyd is the most recent. He has good velocity (4.46) and higher acceleration and a way of urgency than White does.
Marshawn Lloyd’s Speeding Statistics2021: 64 carries for 228 yards (3.6 avg.), TD2022: 111 carries for 573 yards (5.2 avg.), 9 TDs2023: 116 carries for 820 yards (7.1 avg.), 9 TDs
Marshawn Lloyd’s Receiving Statistics2021: 3 rec. for 44 yards (14.7 avg.)2022: 18 rec. for 173 yards (9.6 avg.), 2 TDs2023: 13 rec. for 232 yards (14.7 avg.)
Lloyd, who transferred to USC after two years at South Carolina, has had some accidents prior to now together with an alarming eight fumbles in 289 carries. However when the ball is safe and he’s on the sphere, Lloyd is an actual, bodily weapon, forcing 47 missed tackles final 12 months. He’s an rising receiver out of the backfield and solely had one drop final season.
Spherical 4 – Colorado State OLB Mohamed KamaraJunior • 6-1, 248
Tampa Bay provides one other edge rusher to the surface linebacker in Kamara, who performed on the identical faculty the place former Bucs nice Shaq Barrett performed. Kamara racked up a powerful 29.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss in his Rams profession. With a 6-foot-1, 248-pound compact body, Kamara is constructed almost an identical to Barrett however is even sooner with a 4.57 time within the 40-yard sprint.
Tampa Bay has a pair of similarly-built edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, however Kamara’s manufacturing, excessive motor and arsenal of cross rush strikes are too good to disregard. He performs larger than his dimension would point out and is loads sturdy and bodily.
Mohamed Kamara’s Defensive Statistics2019: 22 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, FR, TD2020: 21 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks2021: 26 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, PBU, FF2022: 44 tackles, 16 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, PBU, 2 FFs, FR2023: 56 tackles, 17 TFLs, 13 sacks, PBU, 2 FFs, FR, TD
Kamara was a workforce captain at Colorado State and his relentless enjoying fashion might assist the Bucs on particular groups if he doesn’t emerge as a starter or preliminary contributor on protection as a rookie. The one actual draw back to the Mountain West Defensive Participant of the Yr is that he’s about to show 24 and has little expertise dropping into protection. Tampa Bay had an off-the-cuff assembly with Kamara on the NFL Scouting Mix.
Spherical 6 – Michigan WR Cornelius JohnsonRedshirt Senior • 6-3, 212
The Bucs add a receiver with some dimension on Day 3 with Johnson, who’s recent off a nationwide championship at Michigan. He has a pleasant mixture of dimension and velocity (4.44 on the NFL Scouting Mix) with a 37.5-inch vertical that helps Johnson win numerous contested catches. He has a pleasant catch radius, however the quantity of drops (17) he had in 5 years at school alongside together with his unpolished route operating will trigger him to slip to the late rounds, particularly in such a WR-heavy draft class.
Johnson is seen as a superb teammate and an awesome perimeter blocker within the operating sport. Though his manufacturing was slightly modest at Michigan, particularly catching only one landing as a fifth-year senior, Johnson has 45 begins on his Wolverines resumé. His 139 profession receptions surpassed Desmond Howard (134) and Mario Manningham (137) on the college’s all-time checklist. Johnson is unafraid to go over the center on slants and crossing routes.
Cornelius Johnson’s Receiving Statistics2019: 4 rec. for 61 yards (15.3 avg.) TD2020: 16 rec. for 254 yards (15.9 avg.), 3 TDs2021: 40 rec. for 627 yards (15.7 avg.), 3 TDs2022: 32 rec. for 499 yards (15.6 avg.), 6 TDs2023: 47 rec. for 604 yards (12.9 avg.), TD
Johnson might compete for depth on the outdoors receiver place, doubtless cut up finish (X) behind Mike Evans, whereas additionally contributing on particular groups. Whereas he didn’t play numerous particular groups resulting from the truth that he was a starter, Johnson did block two punts in 2021. The Bucs had an off-the-cuff assembly with Johnson on the NFL Scouting Mix.
Spherical 7 – Air Pressure S Trey TaylorRedshirt Senior • 6-0, 206
Taylor is one heck of a soccer participant. He’s robust, bodily, sensible and instinctive. However his restricted athleticism will maintain him again till Day 3, the place the Bucs can be tempted to draft him within the sixth or seventh spherical. Taylor was in Tampa Bay for a Prime 30 go to and his maturity, versatility and excessive soccer I.Q. will make him an awesome scheme slot in Todd Bowles’ protection.
Taylor gained the Jim Thorpe Award final 12 months for his excellent play at Air Pressure with 74 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, seven cross breakups, three interceptions, together with a pick-six, and half a sack. He solely allowed one landing final 12 months and completed his senior season with an 89 protection grade per Professional Soccer Focus.
Trey Taylor’s Defensive Statistics2021: 62 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sack, 6 PBUs, INT, FF2022: 69 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, sack, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs2023: 74 tackles, 5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 7 PBUs, 3 INTs
Regardless of spending 5 years in school, Taylor simply turned 23. He’ll have an opportunity to compete with Kaevon Merriweather for depth on the security place. Taylor logged 327 snaps within the field final 12 months with 200 deep and 160 within the slot. The cousin of Corridor of Fame security Ed Reed, Taylor is sturdy with 36 straight begins with out lacking a sport.
