The 2023 NFL season is not even halfway through yet, but the Bucks are far from the top five as many NFL experts expected in 2024. With Tom Brady retiring, most expected the Bucs to acquire USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Instead, the Bucks have the No. 19 pick in the latest mock draft.
pewterreport.com Let’s take a look at what the latest round of popular mock drafts have in store for Tampa Bay next April.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama OLB Dallas Carter
Salary cap constraints may force the Bucks to fill a ton of needs during the offseason, so they need to acquire the best talent at any number of positions here. This scenario shows them that Turner has the perfect skill set for Todd Bowles’ defense and an edge rusher group that has put up huge numbers this season.
Clemson ILB Barrett Carter – Photo Credit: USA Today
51. Tampa Bay Bucs: Clemson ILB Barrett Carter
19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Clemson ILB Barrett Carter
The Buccaneers probably need to think long-term about the linebacker position, and Carter looks like the most NFL-ready second-level defender in this class.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Duke OL Graham Burton
The Buccaneers’ offensive line was weak and untested until the blowout loss to the Eagles. They will need to address this issue early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Graham Burton is a very nasty run blocker. He might move on to guard in the NFL.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Duke OL Graham Burton
Duke OL Graham Burton – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Tampa Bay’s offensive line is bad at run blocking. The team needs more talent on offense. Some pro sources have said the team plans to move Barton inside to guard in the NFL. They say Barton plays with short arms and his frame could be a better fit on the inside.
Professional evaluators like Barton’s physicality, meanness, and strength of his ground game. While playing left tackle at Duke, Burton has been a consistent run blocker and pass protector. At 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, he has the potential to be a great guard in the NFL. Barton could be a first- or second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
51. Tampa Bay Bucs: Oklahoma ILB Danny Stutzman
The Bucs acquired a linebacker to replace Lavonte David. Stutzman (6-4, 241) is a tough linebacker for the Sooners, making a lot of tackles and splash plays for the defense. This season, he has 70 tackles, two sacks, one interception and one pass defended. He had 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and five pass breakups in 2022.
Team officials say Stutzman is extremely athletic, fast and instinctive. They stated that while he has good size and length, they feel he lacks the ideal strength and physicality. They shared that Stutzman could be similar to Pete Werner, except that Stutzman has a little more finesse and lacks strength compared to Werner.
PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator: Top NFL Draft Prospects for Each Team
Most Selected Player: QB Bo Nix, Oregon State (19.8%)
Second choice: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington (15.3%)
Tampa’s top-selected prospects are both quarterbacks, and we project them as mid-to-late first-rounders, making Baker Mayfield a long-term choice from Buccaneers fans and general mock draft users. There is no love.
