Many teams will know by Thanksgiving weekend if they will make the playoffs in December or if they will put their draft preparation on hold by evaluating their current rosters and diving into college football tape. The Bucks are not one of those teams, as they are currently 4-6 entering the final seven games of the season and in the thick of contention for the NFC South.
Tampa Bay is a very unstable team this year, and there is a strong possibility that the team will miss the postseason for the first time since 2019. That could signal a new transition period, perhaps in the form of a new head coach and perhaps a new quarterback.After all, it is What will happen in the next 7 weeks?. Can Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield do enough to cement themselves in the Bucks’ future plans? Or do Jason Licht and the Glazers want to go in a different direction? Time will tell.
Bucks GM Jason Licht – Photo by Matt Matera/PR
But as much as all eyes are on the final stretch of the season and the effort to win a third straight district title, draft season is right around the corner. The Senior Bowl is 70 days away, and the NFL Scouting Combine will soon follow. The 2024 draft itself begins in 152 days. So it’s never too early to look at potential Bucks. Not only that, but it’s good to know who to keep an eye on as the college football regular season winds down and bowl season approaches.
With all this in mind, pewterreport.com Here, we’ll take a look at what the latest mock draft has in store for Tampa Bay next April. There are quite a few names that pop up frequently in connection with the Bucks this time around.
Round 1, Pick 10 – Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
“Tampa Bay needs to focus on adding cost-controlled young talent to the roster and not necessarily worry about filling specific positions. They probably want to add a quarterback.”
Round 1, Pick 10 – Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Georgia TE Brock Bowers – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“With Mike Evans a pending free agent and Chris Godwin a free agent in 2025 (and a $27 million salary cap hit), how will the Buccaneers look with their wide receiver (or quarterback) room in the future? 2024). So instead of choosing Godwin to be the next Roman Odunze, let’s choose a game-changing tight end with a capital “P” word that will bring even the toughest football players to their knees. ”
Bowers is a true genius with the ball in his hands. He can move north quickly after the catch and has a true ability to play across formations. He takes snaps from inline, off-ball, the slot, the backfield, and outside in isolation and does damage regardless of the offensive scheme. So rather than forcing his successor into the WR room, it gives the Buccaneers a chance to pivot to a new construction of their offense.
I avoided tackles here because Luke Goedeke had a promising second year on the right side after Tristan Wirfs shifted to the left side (with great success). So I don’t think a player like JC Latham would be in the cards for a restructured Buccaneers. ”
Round 1, Pick 10 – Georgia TE Brock Bowers
“Bowers is too good to fall any further, and the Bucks could take advantage of his unique skillset.”
Round 1, Pick 10 – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
UCLA EDGE Laiatu Ratu Photo courtesy of USA Today
“Tampa Bay will also probably try to figure out their long-term quarterback situation this offseason. So far, the team has struggled all season to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they have been struggling on that side of the ball.” I need some help.
Laiatu Latu is a dynamic pass rusher with great technique who can rack up over 10 sacks a year. We’ll have to look into his medical history, but Latu is a prospect worthy of a top-10 pick. ”
Round 1, Pick 8 – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
“The Buccaneers could have some fun picking a quarterback if they end up with a top-10 selection. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. is most likely the next signal-caller off the board. Yeah. He’s from Tampa Bay, too, so if he goes that way, he’ll probably be going back to his hometown.
But the Buccaneers’ defensive line unit currently ranks in the bottom 10 in sacks, total pressures and pass rush win percentage. Their defense has been disappointing this season, and fixing that starts up front. Latu has been the most productive pass rusher in the country over the past two seasons, posting a pass rusher win percentage of over 20% in each campaign. ”
Round 1, Pick 10 – Georgia TE Brock Bowers
“The Bucs may have a lot of needs next offseason, but tight end isn’t one of them. But what every team needs is as many players as possible on either side of the ball. There are mismatched weapons and Bowers definitely qualifies. He’s a top-five prospect in this class and would be an absolute steal if he’s still on the board here.”
Round 2, Pick 41 – Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Round 1, Pick 10 – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
“Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being near the bottom of the league in sacks and in need of help offensively, Laiatu Latu’s value here cannot be overlooked. Latu is the most pro-ready player in this class. He is a strong pass rusher who has shown the ability to win with speed, power and technique. The addition of Latu will help get the Buccaneers defensive line back to where it was when they won the Super Bowl in 2021.”
Round 1, Pick 10 – Michigan State QB JJ McCarthy
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy – Photo Credit: USA Today
“Baker Mayfield has been good so far, but the Buccaneers need a true franchise quarterback long-term. J.J. McCarthy is an accurate quarterback with a solid arm and mobility.”
Round 2, Pick 41 – Illinois OT Julian Pearl
“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. Julian Pearl is versatile and athletic. He is a high blocker.”
Round 1, Pick 10 – Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
“Tampa Bay’s secondary was a huge disappointment in 2023. The team could move on from Carlton Davis after the season, which could help the organization re-sign Antwon Winfield Jr. Yes, even if Davis survives, he will be on the last team.”So the Buccaneers could draft his replacement in a year and play as a third corner in 2024.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Wiggins has the height with serious speed and athleticism. Wiggins runs routes fast and fluid, preventing separation. Although he may stand to add strength at tackle in the NFL, Wiggins is the most talented cover corner in the 2024 NFL Draft. This season, he has 22 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack. In 2022, Wiggins earned a spot in the starting lineup with 39 tackles, one interception, and 11 passes defensed. ”
Round 2, Pick 41 – Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
“Even if Baker Mayfield returns next season, the Bucks may consider adding another option in case they need to replace Mayfield.
So far this year, Penix has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,695 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has three rushing touchdowns on the ground. The former Indiana Hoosier had a breakout season with Washington in 2022. His previous best of 1,645 yards in 2020 was nearly tripled as he completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 4,641 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for four touchdowns. The Tampa, Fla.-based Penix is equipped with a live ammunition arm that can fire missiles into narrow windows. Penix (6-3, 214) will need to show improved ability to handle pass pressure, improve his vision and hone his overall pocket passing. ”
