It’s that time of year again Buccaneers fans! The NFL offseason, or silly-season as some would call it is here. That can only mean it’s time for some mock drafts.
Obviously we are very early in the process here with the Super Bowl yet to be played and not knowing who is or isn’t leaving via free agency. So we’ll fire up the crystal ball and say the Buccaneers re-sign, Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr, Lavonte David, and Tristan Wirfs. That would mean Devin White leaves via free agency. So without further ado…
Round – 1, Pick 26
Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
HT: 6’4
WT: 215 lbs
Accolades:
First-team All-ACC (2023)
Third-team All-Big Ten (2022)
Video:
Pros:
Prototype physicality: boasts elite size, frame density, and compact mass; prime athletic build for an NFL WR.
Outstanding acceleration combined with exceptional foot speed and lateral twitch, especially considering his build.
Superb at manipulating DB blind spots; employs efficient diamond releases and robust hand techniques to separate.
Impressive ball skills: pairs elite timing and body control with remarkable strength at the catch point.
Transcendent aerial adjustments: showcases gravity-defying contortions and consistently extends beyond his frame to secure catches.
Threat after the catch: blends explosive agility, contact balance, and physicality to elude and overpower defensive backs.
Distinguished for his proactive alpha mentality; adept at contested catches thanks to a combination of instincts and sheer hand strength.
Multifaceted athlete: showcased his versatility playing basketball under Tom Izzo; brings that multi-sport dynamism to the gridiron.
Cons:
Limited sharpness in routes: occasionally lacks the burst and crispness on angled route breaks, affecting his separation from defenders.
Inconsistent run-blocking intensity: despite his physical prowess, needs to bring more aggression and tenacity to his blocking assignments.
Acceleration concerns: might struggle with elite long speed, making it challenging to consistently outpace boundary DBs in deep ball situations.
Technique refinements needed: can improve on his footwork, hip flexibility, and contact balance for more consistent and effective playmaking. Coleman has the potential to be one of the best wide receivers in the draft. The Buccaneers get a steal here at No. 26.
Summary:
Given his blend of raw talent and exhibited skills, many scouts see him as a valuable pick, he’s currently projected to be taken in the 1st round. This positioning might reflect the few areas he needs to polish, but it also speaks to the depth of talent in the draft.
Round – 2, Pick 57
Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State
HT: 6’4
WT: 335 lbs
Accolades:
Unanimous All-American (2023)
First-team All-American (2022)
2× Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year (2022, 2023)
3× first-team All-Big 12 (2021–2023)
Video:
Pros:
Along with his strong grip, Beebe is virtually unmovable once he gets his hands on a pass rusher. He is capable of holding his ground, especially when he effectively utilizes his feet.
Exhibits potential in developing his patience in pass protection, currently has some issues with leaning and lunging.
Displays good awareness when it comes to reading moving bodies, effectively reacting and adjusting. He also shows a good feel for combo blocks.
Shows potential in pass protection, could work on balance and resilience against the bull rush. His hands are strong and when he’s at his best, he does a nice job gripping and latching on once he has his hands on the pass rusher.
Effective grappling in the phone booth, with the upper-body strength and strong hands to outbattle defenders. Beebe also shows a good understanding of angles when moving out to the second level
At his best mauling in the run game, playing with a nasty demeanor and consistently keeping it going through the whistle.
Cons:
Despite showing capability, Beebe often struggles with maintaining balance and avoiding lunging when facing quick opponents.
Though he has the traits to improve, Beebe needs to work on his patience and balance during his set. Inconsistencies with his kick slide need to be addressed.
While he shows potential in pass protection, Beebe currently seems more comfortable moving forward than sliding back as a protector.
Summary:
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Beebe saw action in 12 games and played a total of 870 snaps for the Wildcats. He allowed 8 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack while playing most of his snaps at left guard. The Buccaneers look to have found a starting center in Beebe.
Round – 3, Pick 89
Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson
HT: 6’0
WT: 230 lbs
Accolades:
Second-team All-American (2022)
First-team All-ACC (2023)
Video:
Pros:
Trotter is competitive and plays energetically, often overcoming bigger blockers with his motor.
He shows good speed and closing burst when blitzing.
Has the combination of size and athleticism worthy of development.
He has enough speed to chase and run in pursuit. He has the overall athleticism to hold up in space when dropping into coverage.
Trotter chases well in pursuit, and Trotter has the athleticism to play in space if asked to drop into coverage.
Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers.
Cons:
Trotter could improve his ability to anchor against the run, as he sometimes struggles at the point of attack.
He’s not a guy who can be put on the edge every down and be expected to consistently create pressure.
While he shows persistence in the pass rush, he could benefit from increased functional strength to effectively disengage and avoid being pushed past the pocket.
Summary:
In 2023 as a junior Trotter Jr. played in 12 games and contributed on 689 snaps. He recorded decent 54 tackles, 24 assists while making 37 stops. In coverage Trotter Jr. chalked up 2 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 82.7. As a pass rusher, he produced 27 total pressures, which included 13 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 7 sacks on the year. With the unknown status of Buccaneers pending free agents Lavonte David and Devin White, the Buccaneers get a plug and play linebacker.
Round- 4, Pick 125
Cole Bishop, S, Utah
HT: 6’1
WT: 209 lbs
Accolades:
Second-team All-Pac-12 (2023)
Video:
Pros:
Has the fluid athleticism and speed to cover tight ends and maybe even some big slot receivers. Bishop has the ball skills to create turnovers. He also has value as a blitzer.
He has the ability to move down and cover tight ends, with the fluid hips to turn and the speed to run with anyone down the middle of the field.
His ball skills are very good. He tracks the ball well downfield and has the hands and coordination to come away with interceptions even when Bishop isn’t targeted often.
Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press and off coverage.
Shows good instincts when facing the action in zone coverage, and he has solid ball skills.
Tracks the ball well downfield and has the innate feel for high-point passes. He’s willing to come up and fill against the run and seems to take pride in delivering violent hits in run support.
Bishop has good size and is a fluid mover, capable of mirroring quickness underneath
Cons:
Despite his size, he’s not an overly physical tackler. Bishop might have to add some weight at the next level in order to become more physical.
Has a lean, narrow frame and needs to get stronger.
Lowers his shoulder for the big hit rather than wrapping up securely.
Summary:
As a sophomore in 2022 he played in 13 games and logged 685 snaps for the Utes. He made decent 55 tackles, 21 assists, and had 31 stops. In coverage he totaled 2 pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 104.2. He forced 21 total pressures, and 2 sacks during the year.
In 2023 as a junior Bishop played in 11 games and contributed on 587 snaps. He chalked up 47 tackles, 13 assists, and added 22 stops. In the secondary Bishop forced one pass breakup, 2 interceptions, and gave up QB rating when targetted of 66.0. He also logged 12 total pressures, and 3 sacks on the year. The Buccaneers get a quality defensive back at a position of need. A potential tag-team partner for Buccaneers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr.
Round – 6, Pick 202
Kingsley Eguakun, IOL, Florida
HT: 6’3
WT: 300 lbs
Accolades:
Earned his master’s degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management (Fall 2023)
NFF Hampshire Honor Society (2023)
Earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology (Fall 2022)
Three-time SEC Fall Academic Honor (2020-22)
Video:
Pros:
Eguakun flashes power and nastiness in the run game, able to win at the point of attack and athletic enough to get out as a pulling blocker before landing blocks on the move at the second level.
At his best mauling in the run game, playing with a nasty demeanor and consistently keeping it going through the whistle.
He’s a coordinated athlete who can win at the point of attack in the run game, and Eguakun can also move to consistently land blocks at the second level.
Takes much more pride in the run game, where he plays through the whistle with tremendous physicality.
Cerebral player, quick to react to twists and stunts up front, and he shows an excellent understanding of angles when moving out as a run blocker.
Eguakun moves much better than his relatively squat, square frame would suggest. Fluid and flexible, he’s capable of moving in space and latching on to moving targets at the second level.
Cons:
Sometimes Eguakun simply gets too impatient to sit back in his set, reaching and lunging and generally playing with poor balance.
Needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more consistent leverage and continuing to move his feet.
Anticipates speed rushers attacking the edge and will over-set to the outside, leaving inside rushing lanes wide open for defenders to jab-step outside and re-direct through the gap.
Summary:
In 2021 as a junior Eguakun saw action in 13 games and totaled 870 snaps. He gave up 11 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and no sacks while playing at center.
In 2022 as a senior Eguakun saw action in 12 games and played a total of 773 snaps for the Gators. He allowed 13 QB hurries, one QB hit, and no sacks while playing at center.
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Eguakun saw action in 4 games and played a total of 246 snaps for the Gators. He allowed just 2 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and one sack while playing at center. The Buccaneers continue addressing strengthening their offensive line. Eguakun could end up being a starter for the Buccaneers in the near future.
Round – 7, Pick 243
Charles Turner III, IOL, LSU
HT: 6’3
WT: 300 lbs
Accolades:
Senior Bowl Participant, 2024
Outland Trophy National Player of the Week vs. Auburn, 2023
SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Florida, 2023
LSU Graduate (Interdisciplinary Studies), May 2023
Video:
Pros:
He’ll appeal to man-blocking teams, and he’s a fairly high-upside developmental pick when considering his value in the run game.
Exhibits good patience in pass protection, sitting back in his set rather than leaning and lunging.
Plays with natural leverage and has the strength to anchor against the bull rush. Turner also packs a violent initial punch that can stand up pass rushers.
Shows a good feel for combo blocks, and Turner displays good quickness and flexibility when moving to the second level, capable of sealing the back side on reach blocks
In the run game, he explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
Finds defenders with his hands immediately and gets feet moving to engage and sustain.
Cons:
Could be a liability against speed-to-power pass rushers early in his career.
His size and athleticism are both limited. Orlosky is not a great blocker in space, often struggling with quickness on the second level, and Turner lacks the range to be used as a puller.
Lacks the pure power to knock people back at the point of attack. In pass protection, he’s going to have trouble with top-end quickness, as he often struggles with leverage and balance when trying to mirror.
Summary:
In 2022 as a senior Turner saw action in 11 games and played a total of 775 snaps for the Tigers. He allowed 11 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks while playing at center.
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Turner saw action in 13 games and played a total of 763 snaps for the Tigers. He allowed 7 QB hurries, one QB hit, and one sack while playing at center. The Buccaneers add more much needed depth to their interior offensive line.
Round – 7, Pick 254
Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia
HT: 6’1
WT: 220 lbs
Accolades:
2× CFP National Champion (2021, 2022)
Video:
Pros:
Shows a surprising burst to beat linebackers to the edge. Can plant his foot in the ground and explode, showing better straight-line speed than expected.
An excellent blocker on the outside, Milton also adds value in the running game.
Doesn’t possess elite breakaway speed, but is fast enough to gain yardage in chunks when he finds a seam.
Has good burst to and through the hole. A patient runner with good vision and burst for the cutback. Squares his shoulders and can knock the defender back onto his heels. Good leg drive and forward lean to gain extra yardage after contact.
Milton aggressively finishes runs and consistently falls forward in a crowd. His low pad level and a bit of wiggle keep him from absorbing big hits.
Demonstrated the ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Good flexibility and balance to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Good vision and patience for screens.
Cons:
His hands are shaky, and Milton often needs a beat to gather himself after hauling in passes.
Milton doesn’t have the ability as a run blocker or the violent run-after-catch ability.
Milton could stand to get smaller when squeezing through traffic.
Summary:
In 2022 as a junior Milton saw action in 11 games for the Bulldogs. He ran for 535 yards on 73 attempts for an elite 7.3 ypc, with 7 TDs, with one fumble. As a receiver he made only 4 receptions for 46 yards.
As a senior in 2023 he played in 12 games and ran for 686 yards on 112 carries for an elite average of 6.1 ypc, with 12 TDs, with no fumbles. In the passing game he had 4 receptions for 25 yards. Milton adds quality depth at the running back position for the Buccaneers.
Information in this article first appeared on NFL Draft Buzz and is used with permission. Find the latest coverage, analysis, and player rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com
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