The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, free agency is around the corner, and players’ stock is starting to shift.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers securing the 19th pick in this year’s draft, analysts are buzzing with predictions on who the team will pick on Day One. From wide receiver to linebacker, and pass-rushing edge players, there’s no clear consensus just yet.
The Bucs have some critical decisions to make as they strive to build a squad that can contend in the tough NFC South.
Here’s a roundup of the latest predictions from leading analysts and what Tampa Bay might gain from each potential pick:
NFL.com
Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Analyst: Bucky Brooks (February 25)
Bucky Brooks from NFL.com suggests that the Buccaneers could focus on offense, selecting Ohio State’s skilled wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka. With Chris Godwin nearing free agency and Mike Evans heading into his 12th season, this move makes sense for maintaining the strength of the Bucs’ receiver core.
Egbuka is praised for his strong hands, fluid athleticism, and mature route-running. Paired with Jalen McMillan—last year’s third-rounder—the young wideout could be a dependable target for whoever is under center in 2025.
CBS Sports
Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Analyst: Ryan Wilson (March 3)
Ryan Wilson has the Bucs bolstering their linebacker unit with Alabama standout Jihaad Campbell. According to Wilson, Campbell’s explosiveness and versatility make him a natural leader on defense. He can seamlessly alternate between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, filling gaps on a roster that may lose talent to free agency.
At just 21, Campbell’s athleticism and potential make him a valuable long-term asset. If the veteran linebacker corps is showing its age, Campbell could bring fresh energy—and a lot of speed to Tampa’s defense.
The Draft Network
Pick: LB/Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
Analyst: Justin Melo (March 2)
Justin Melo highlights the importance of investing in the trenches. With potential losses of free agents Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson, the Buccaneers may target Georgia’s Jalon Walker, a player with hybrid flexibility as both an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher.
Walker’s explosiveness and adaptability would complement an already impressive supporting cast, and General Manager Jason Licht’s preference for strengthening the defensive front makes this a highly plausible pick.
PFF
Pick: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
Analyst: Dalton Wasserman (February 24)
If the Buccaneers decide to trade down, this scenario from PFF’s Dalton Wasserman could come into play. Tampa swaps their 19th pick with the Rams (picking up an extra asset) and selects Mykel Williams at No. 26.
Williams is described as a versatile player with great potential, though he still needs to refine his pass-rushing abilities. With Tampa Bay’s edge unit only producing middling run defense grades last season, Williams could provide much-needed help while developing under experienced coaches.
The Athletic
Pick: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Analyst: The Athletic College Writers (February 25)
The Athletic’s analysts predict Tampa solidifies its pass rush with Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku, the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year. Ezeiruaku led the nation with 16.5 sacks in the regular season, tying a program record.
While some might view this pick as a reach, the Bucs could prioritize productivity over flashier, unproven names like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. A high-energy edge player like Ezeiruaku could provide immediate results and depth for a Tampa defense that thrives on disrupting quarterbacks.
What’s the Best Fit for the Buccaneers?
Clearly, opinions vary across the board. Wide receiver picks, like Egbuka, could prepare the offense for a post-Mike Evans era. On defense, linebacker and edge selections—such as Campbell or Walker—address pressing needs in Tampa’s front seven. Additionally, a trade-back scenario with the Rams to select Mykel Williams would add flexibility for future drafts.
Each of these scenarios reflects how crucial this year’s draft will be for the Buccaneers. With the team positioned at No. 19, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds of securing a strong season or even a playoff run may improve significantly. Adding defensive firepower or offensive versatility could shift the balance in a competitive NFC, making them a more favorable pick for bettors.
Building Toward a Successful 2025
While mock drafts offer valuable insights, they’re just part of the larger picture. The NFL scouting process and subsequent free agency period often lead to surprises, as teams fine-tune rosters ahead of Day 1.
For Buccaneers fans eagerly waiting for their team’s rebuilding steps to unfold, these NFL insights showcase the exciting potential waiting to be unlocked with the No. 19 pick. Will it be a future star pass rusher, a reliable receiver, or a versatile linebacker? We’ll have to wait and see—when Roger Goodell steps up to the podium.
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