For my Buccaneers mock draft, I feel the team is in a good position to add some draft picks. So, I am on board with the idea of trading back. My priorities for the team lie in the need for a left tackle, rebolstering the defense, and depth on offense. I’m also predicting a step up for Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a better use of the wide receiver corps.
First Round
Interested in adding some more picks to my 2023 draft I opted to trade back with the Jacksonville Jaguars at 24. They receive the 19th overall pick, and the Buccaneers receive the 24th overall pick and Jacksonville’s third-round 88th overall, plus their seventh-round pick at 226th. I used Drafttek.com’s trade value chart to determine a solid trade both teams may be interested in.
Now the reasoning I did this is I anticipate Peter Skoronski, Broderick Jones, Paris Johnson Jr., and Darnell Write to be off the board.
With the 24th overall pick in the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers then select Anton Harrison, Left tackle, Oklahoma. Harrison only allowed one sack last season in 447 pass blocking snaps according to PFF. Additionally, he had a pass blocking grade of 83.3 with a run blocking grade of 67.7. In this case he’s one of the last top tier left tackles in the draft and there is a huge gap between him and the next set of players. Expect maybe Cody Mauch of North Dakota State University (stay tuned for my next mock draft for that name).
Second Round
Picking at 50th isn’t to bad but some big names like Hendon Hooker, and Jack Campbell are gone. So the team turns to improving the defense.
With the 50th overall selection in the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Daiyan Henley, linebacker, Washington State. Henley is great overall linebacker with a sideline-to-sideline capability. He has speed, 4.54 40-yard dash, and size at 6’1” and 225 pounds. A great tackler with versatility, Henley lined up on the line, against the slot and in the box. His coverage is good, and his pass rush is above average. With twelve tackles for loss and four sacks last season Henley can make plays that end opponents drives. He’ll make a fine addition and will rotate in and out as needed. Year two he’ll shine.
Third Round
With the 82nd overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, corner, TCU. NFL.com has predicted him to be a backup with potential to develop as a starter. I think he can be a starter and would quickly bolster the rotation of the Buccaneers defense. Though on the shorter side (5’8”) he has speed, 4.41 second 40-yard dash and a 39” vertical. If his stats tell us anything it’s that he can find and locate the ball. With 15 pass deflections last season and three interceptions he’s only allowed a 34.6% completion percentage. He’s a tough corner who, though smaller, will fight it out. A solid addition to the back of the defense.
From the Jacksonville trade, with the 88th pick overall the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jammie Robinson, safety, Florida State. Robinson is a player that has continued to progress in rapid succession. In a Todd Bowles defense he’ll continue this, especially with his versatility. He rarely misses tackles and has a forced incompletion rate of a very high 16% (per PFF) and a completion percentage allowed of just 56%. He’ll round out a rebuild on the back end of the defense and allow this team to continue its stellar defensive play.
Final Thought
I believe this is a good start for a Buccaneers draft. They would protect the quarterback and begin fortifying the defense in what is mounting to be another shoot out type season in the NFC South. Adding to one’s strong points is never a bad idea and builds on future production. The rest of the draft would then need to focus on the defensive line, tight end, and running back. Adding more offensive line depth would be good too.
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