Bucks won 1-1 Since my last mock draft summary a little over two weeks ago.. Tampa Bay, currently 8-7 with two games remaining in the regular season, is near the middle of the 2025 NFL Draft standings at 17th with two games remaining.
Through 15 games, the team’s needs became clear heading into the offseason.
There’s always a need to add talent on both sides of the football, but the Bucks’ premium draft pick addresses defense, as more talent is needed at each level, as the mock draft predicts. should be spent on
Bucks HC Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The outside pass rush badly needs another player who can bring juice and increase sack totals. Yaya Diaby He’s on track and could be destined for a breakout in his third year.But with free agency in Joe Tryon Soyinka and Anthony Nelson, Diaby could use some help and someone he can pair up with long-term.
The middle of the field has been the weak link for head coach Todd Bowles’ defense this season, and that starts with the play of the inside linebackers. Following Lavonte David, four other linebackers ran: Sarvosia Dennis, KJ Britt, JJ Russell and Vi Jones.
Dennis and Jones are the only players under contract through next year, and the next two games could be their last. David’s brilliant playing career. Adding one of the top prospects in this year’s class should be on the minds of general manager Jason Richt and the front office.
Finally, there is the secondary.
The team could go in a few different directions, and who they target will depend on the futures of cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jordan Whitehead in Tampa Bay. Both players could return next season, but each could also be released. Dean hasn’t lived up to his four-year, $52 million contract, but he still provides quality depth. The team could select another young cornerback and allow him to develop behind him.
Whitehead has had a disappointing return to the team, having been injured since Week 12 with a pectoral injury. Even when healthy, he has struggled and could have been substituted with a younger player.
With the Bucks’ current draft standings and biggest roster needs documented; pewterreport.com Take a look at this month’s latest mock drafts and what’s in them.
17th – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart
That Stewart is a former big-time recruit makes sense considering how easily he moves. Stewart can line up across the defensive line, and his size, athleticism and do-it-all style align with what head coach Todd Bowles wants to do in a situational front. It may be a bit of a mismatch situation compared to what the Buccaneers currently have on the roster, but another position I’ve been eyeing, inside linebacker, could have a reach here.
No. 18 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee Edge James Pierce Jr.
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ sack leaders this season are DT Kaliyah Kansi (6.5), DT Vita Vea (6.0), and Lavonte David (5.5). None of these players are edge rushers, so this position is probably Tampa Bay’s biggest need (along with inside linebacker, as David and KJ Britt are pending free agency).
James Pierce Jr. has 10 sacks and 14.5 TFL in the 2023 season, attracting attention as a first-round talent and continuing to move up draft boards. He started the year slow, but picked up the pace significantly in the second half. His speed off the edge, flexibility to turn corners, and weapons as a pass rusher give him double-digit sack potential.
At 6-5 and 242 pounds, Pierce is a little underweight but has room to continue adding mass to his body. Pierce’s first step is hyper-elite, which allows him to use his length to transfer power as well as enhance his stress angle immediately after the snap.
17th – Tampa Bay Bucs: East Carolina CB Shavon Rebel Jr.
Georgia OLB Jaylon Walker and Texas QB Quinn Ewers – Photo courtesy of USA Today
No. 18 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia EDGE Jaron Walker
The Buccaneers acquired a do-it-all front seven player who can facilitate the pass rush and help the off-ball linebacker group play more speedy football.
18th – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihad Campbell
The Bucs could also use some help from linebackers and add more edge rushing. Here we have a player who can solve both problems.
At 6-foot-3, 244 pounds, Campbell is a large linebacker with speed and athleticism for his size. Campbell showed versatility by dropping into coverage, defending the run well, and rushing the passer. In 2024, he recorded 108 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and two pass breakups. Campbell appears to be a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
No. 50 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Minnesota CB Justin Worley
The Bucs could use more cornerback talent.
In 2024, Worley recorded 42 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. Worley impressed during the 2023 season and served as a steady defender for Minnesota, team officials said. In 2023, he recorded 45 tackles, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, he might be better suited as a slot corner as a pro, but he’s a smooth nickel corner who can run routes and prevent separation. Worley could be a second-day selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
17th – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart
Florida QB DJ Ragway and Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a tumultuous season. Still, it’s entirely predictable that general manager Jason Richt will look to attack the defensive depth chart with a prototypical build, as he’s done many times on the edges and cornerbacks of this defense. . There’s no better “prototype” than Shemar Stewart. A long, explosive talent who can destroy shop in the run game and show tremendous potential when rushing the passer.
Stewart’s length and explosive hands protect him from being a boom-and-bust type of prospect. He should at least be expected to be a strong edge presence against the run. But give him to Todd Bowles. This is perfect for players with immense ceilings.
18th – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart
As an edge rusher, Shemar Stewart is huge. He can play too high at times, but his size/power/strength allows him to collapse the pocket. He has a quick first step for his size and has the power to hit gaps. And when the bull rush doesn’t come home, his huge size allows him to knock down passes. He has an incredible motor and always plays with power and athleticism.
