Again I’ll start by reiterating, 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 are the need for a left tackle, rebolstering the defense, and depth on offense. I’ll also need to replace Devin White. Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are anticipated to step up. For this draft I traded Devin White to the Chicago Bears for their second round 53rd overall pick and their fourth round 133rd overall pick.
First Round
Interested in adding some more picks to my 2023 draft I opted to trade back with the Giants at 25. To trade back the Buccaneers, receive the 25th overall and the Giants third round 89th overall, and fifth round 160th overall. That’s an addition of two picks for the Buccaneers in a year where there are holes to fill.
Add in another trade back from 25th to 30th with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buccaneers add the 94th overall pick near the end of the Third round.
Ultimately, if I’m in charge, the Buccaneers traded back twice in the first-round and acquired multiple picks. Add in the two additional from the Bears and now the Buccaneers are set to reload this team with a first rounder, two second round picks, and three third round picks.
With the 30th Overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Anton Harrison, left tackle, Oklahoma. Can you tell I have a draft crush? Here’s what I had on him in my first mock.
“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.”
Second Round
With the 50th overall pick in the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Daiyan Henley, linebacker, Washington State. Per my first draft.
“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 opponent’s drives. He’ll make a fine addition and will rotate in and out as needed.”
After trading Devin White and adding in my desire to bring in Myles Jack and boom this linebacker corps becomes one of the strongest in the league.
With the 53rd overall pick in the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tuli Tuipulotu, edge, USC. You can never have too many edge rushers. Tuipulota is a pressure generating machine. With 37 hurries, six hits, and 13 sacks last season he has shown he can play with the best of them. He can play three technique, on the edge, and over the tackle. With Todd Bowles he become the Swiss Army knife Bowles has been missing. The schemes that can be drawn up and the vast array of looks offenses will face will be amazing.
Couple him with the linebackers mentioned above and this becomes a defense with top three potential.
Third Round
With the 82nd overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select one of my other draft crushes, 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.
With the 89th overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Moro Ojomo, defensive tackle, Texas. A good fit at defense end on a 3-4 front, Ojomo is run stuffing defender. He posses what looks to be a high floor for a player with limited snaps. In his limited time, he amassed 20 pressures, five sacks, and a hit against some tuff opponents. At only 21 years old he has plenty of potential to get better and be a solid rotational piece.
With the 94th overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select DeWayne McBride, running back, UAB. An elusive runner, McBride can be a complementary piece to Rachaad White. He averaged 7.3 yards a carry in 2022 and finished with 120 or more yards in 10 of 11 games. According to PFF he also forced 76 missed tackles. Good enough for 11th in all of college football last season. Furthermore, he had 1,072 yards after contact. I’m a firm believer that great running backs can be found late in the draft. Here, the Buccaneers score big in the third round.
Fourth Round
133rd Overall: Kobie Turner, interior defender (B Gap). I like doubling down on some positions. If on player doesn’t work out there is a second to evaluate. If both work out this preps for future departures of free agents. Turner is another player who produced a lot of pressures in college.
Fifth Round
153rd Overall: Cory Trice, corner, Perdue. Again, doubling down in an area where depth is key. Like Hodges-Tomlinson, Trice finds the ball. 10 pass deflections and two interceptions. I like pass deflections because it shows me they can locate the ball and defend. Though less glamorous than interceptions they are drive enders at times and at the very least put pressure on the opposing offense.
160th Overall: Jaxson Kirkland, offensive guard, Washington. Well hell, the Buccaneers seem to be loading up on Washington talent on defense, why not add one on offense. Jaxson is a converted left tackle to guard this last season. In doing so he had 689 snaps at the position with no sacks, two hits, and seven hurries. He may very well beat out some vets on this roster and move up the depth chart.
175th Overall: Josh Whyle, tight end, Cincinnati. Low production numbers push him down in the draft but he’s 6’6” and 248 pounds. So, he has the size. Low drop (3%) rate means he has sure hands and an average of 10.2 yards a reception is good. Needs to improve on contested catches. But he does block well in the run game and decently in pass protection.
Sixth Round
179th Overall: I’m not waiting any longer for this pick. Clayton Tune, quarterback, Houston. I hope he’s there. The Buccaneers have him as a top 30 visit. For good reason. He’s a model of efficiency and handles pressure well. His competition wasn’t that stiff so will it translate to the speed of the NFL? With that said, he is my sleeper pick for the 2023 draft. Watching his tape, I feel he could be something special. See my previous article on whether or not the Buccaneers should draft him.
181st Overall: I said I liked doubling down, well I went three deep on the interior of the defensive line. Jonah Tavai, from San Diego State is as efficient as they come. 46 hurries, 11 hits, and 11 sacks! He also defends the run well. He’s a do it all lineman who’s lined up everywhere. But he’s being overlooked this draft due to the talent he played against. He needs a shot.
196th Overall: Jason Taylor II, safety Oklahoma State. With seven pass deflections, six interceptions, 80 solo tackles (3 for loss), Taylor broke out in 2022 after seeing little playing time in 2019-2020. His ascending play will add depth at safety.
Seventh Round
252nd Overall: Brett Neilon, center, USC. Now I fully expect a return of Ryan Jensen back to full health. This pick is more of a just in case. Robert Hainsey would move back, and Neilon would be back up. His fundamentals are exceptional, and he has performed well. So far, they have covered up his lack of size and power. That may not work at the next level.
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