Buccaneers Top Targets For Day Two Of The NFL Draft

In a stunning move, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not take a defensive player with their first round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It had been long speculated that the Bucs could take one of a linebacker, pass rusher, or defensive back. However, it was a wide receiver that the Bucs decided to take with the 19th overall pick.

Whether that was a good decision or a bad one is yet to be seen. Regardless, all of those needs are still there and need to be addressed. Now we all look to day two and who the team could bring in next. 

Fortunately, a lot of the players that have been linked to the Bucs are still on the board. Even several of the players who we projected to them in the first round are still there to be had. Here are my Buccaneers top targets for day two of the NFL draft.

Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan

The fall of Will Johnson has truly been stunning. He was the star cornerback of the 2024 national champions Michigan Wolverines team. However, after an injury plagued and underwhelming final season last year he finds himself in the second round. 

Perhaps there is concern about his long term health or that he reportedly doesn’t run an extremely fast 40 yard dash. I don’t know what the problem is, but this is a very good football player. He’s the ball hawk cornerback the Buccaneers need and he has the potential to be a super star.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

The guy who Buccaneers fans had circled for most of the draft process is still on the board going into the second round. Ezeiruaku is incredibly agile and flexible around the edge and he has more pass rush moves and counter moves than perhaps anyone in the draft. 

I would have been pretty happy if this was the Bucs pick at 19. I’d be ecstatic if he was the name called for Tampa Bay in round two. He can be a part of the pass rushing rotation this year and step in as the start next season. 

Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Most of what I said about Ezeiruaku can be said about Green as well. He was a highly productive pass rusher in college last year and has the athletic tools to translate well to the NFL. This is someone who can led the Bucs in sacks in a few years.

There were more questions with Green going through the draft process. He played against lower level competition on college and had some off the field allegations that led to his character being questioned. However, I’m surprised someone didn’t take this talented pass rusher in the first round.

Darius Alexander, Defensive line, Toledo

Pass rush doesn’t have to come from the edge. Alexander is a wrecking ball as a defensive tackle. He truly looked like a man amongst boys while playing in the Mid American Conference.

However, there is nothing small time about his athletic ability. He is incredibly powerful and has long arms which he uses to his advantage. This is an athletic and skilled disrupter who lives in the backfield.

Carson Schwesinger, Linebacker, UCLA

This might be the sweet spot to get a linebacker, which is one of the Buccaneers biggest needs. Schwesinger is someone who has carves his own path, going from a walk on at UCLA to one of the most impressive prospects in the draft. 

Schwesinger led the Big Ten in solo tackles last season and also had nine tackles for a loss. His instincts are fantastic and he has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline. Even with all that, his biggest strength might be his ability in coverage.

Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame

If the Bucs want to force more turnovers next year, then Watts is the guy they’ll have their eyes on. He had 13 interceptions over the last two years and is the biggest ball hawk in the draft. He’s also a willing and able run defender who isn’t afraid of contact.

Watts isn’t the greatest athlete in the draft, but he’s not a bad athlete either. He has enough speed to play single high and with a wide receiver background he understands how his opponents are trying to beat him. He’d be a perfect fit in Tampa.

Shavon Revel, Cornerback, East Carolina

Not many corners are nearly 6’2 and move as well as Revel does. It allows him to shine in zone coverage because he can always get to his spot and it’s hard to get the ball past his wingspan. He swallows up wide receivers down the field.

We were robbed of most of his final season in college due to an injury. Assuming everything with his health checks out then he would be a beautiful fit with the Buccaneers.

Trey Amos, Cornerback, Ole Miss

Amos had a unique journey to the NFL draft. He played for three teams in five years and finally broke out last season. It took him a while, but it may have all been worth the wait. 

With 13 passes defended and 3 interceptions last year, Amos proved that he can get his hands on the football. He also has all the physical tools as he proved at his combine workout. 

Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan

I see so much of Shaq Barrett when I watch Stewart. Also on the shorter side, this is a physical and tough run defender. He will punch a pulling guard in the mouth and not give an inch.

Of course, the main attraction here is the pass rush. Stewart is a fast and bendy pass rusher who can get around the edge. There isn’t much drop off from him to the top names left on the board.

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