Who could the Buccaneers take in the 2023 NFL Draft?
A third consecutive season with at least 20 unrestricted free agents has been and gone for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a number of veterans who have departed. It leaves them with a lack of depth, and holes to fill on both sides of the ball. With this in mind, what are the positions of need for the NFC South champions?
Offense
Offensive Tackle:
The need to protect your QB is higher than it has ever been in the NFL. Franchise tackles are few and far between, but the Bucs are in the rare position of having a chance to draft a second cornerstone piece at the position this week. This is likely to be the concern they address in the first round, as they look to partner Tristan Wirfs up with another star.
The two guys they could be look at are Darnell Wright out of Tennessee and Anton Harrison, the Junior from Oklahoma. Wright is an impressive athlete with great pass blocking abilities, while Harrison played well in a much more run oriented offense.
While the Bucs would love for somebody like Peter Skoronski from Northwestern to fall to them, it won’t happen. Both Wright and Harrison have the potential to be great day one starters, but the team’s decision may lie more within their plans for the offensive scheme this coming season.
Running Back:
In the event that current RB1 Rachaad White becomes unavailable, the Bucs look incredibly thin at the position.
Leonard Fournette was a cap casualty in the offseason, and his replacement will likely come from the draft. If Bijan Robinson from Texas falls to 19, it would be hard for Tampa to not take him, considering his talent level, but there are doubts about whether running back should be worth a first-round selection in this day and age.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs showed us what value you can get from a late round running back last year when they selected Isiah Pacheco in the seventh. He went on to rush for over 800 yards (25th) and 4.9 YPC (15th).
I’d expect the Bucs to take someone late on day two, with a number of players like Devon Achane from Texas A&M and Kendre Miller out of TCU likely to be up for grabs.
Quarterback:
While QB isn’t necessarily a position of immediate need, it presents the best opportunity for the team to trade up. If they truly believe in Will Levis from Kentucky, they could do a deal with the Houston Texans for the 12th pick – as one of thes teams holding two first-rounders. Without a trade, it appears that Hendon Hooker might be the only QB available at 19, and it’s unlikely the Bucs would take a risk on anyone in the latter rounds.
Defense
Linebacker:
With Devin White requesting a trade, and Lavonte David only holding a one-year deal, Tampa needs to look a bit more long term with this selection.
Their second round pick could represent their best opportunity to find depth at this position, while also helping to provide a challenge to Joe Tryon Shoyinka, who has been underwhelming through his first two seasons.
Drew Sanders, a converted edge rusher from Arkansas would be a great get for the Bucs. He racked up 11 sacks last season as a blitzer, and we all know that Head Coach Todd Bowles loves to blitz with the front seven. They may have to trade up to get him, but he has great upside.
Defensive Tackle:
Since the departure of Ndamukong Suh, star man Vita Vea has been left with the brunt of the work to do at Defensive Tackle. There’s a bit of a hole to fill on this side of the ball, and the former 12th overall pick could do with some more assistance in the trenches.
It’s hard to say when the Bucs would pick a DT, but you’d have to make the assumption that it would be made within the first two days. Guys like Moro Ojomo from Texas, and Karl Brooks could be great compliments to the defense.
Safety:
While it isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility that Tampa go for the talented and versatile Brian Branch out of Alabama in the first round, there’s more pressing needs for the team in the short term.
One of the team’s main defensive holes is at safety. Antoine Winfield Jr has put up with playing everywhere recently, and he deserves to stay in one place for the whole season, which is why the Bucs have to beef up this part of their secondary.
Ohio State’s Ronnie Hickman or Georgia’s Christopher Smith are both slated to be possible third round selections. Hickman is one of the fastest guys available at the position, with an elite QBR of 34.7 when targeted in 2022.
Smith doesn’t have quite the same level of speed but does possess an extensive history of snaps at college level, including a 50.6 QBR when targeted last year. There’s going to be an element of risk with this pick, but the Bucs will be relying on making a good selection to help beef up their secondary headed into the 2023 season.
How will it play out?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will do in this year’s NFL Draft. There are almost too many holes to fill as they wave goodbye to experienced free agents.
It means they will be incredibly reliant on General Manager Jason Licht having a good year if they want to challenge for the NFC South division title. They could take a few risks, but there’s the possibility they leave themselves too vulnerable in other areas – something no team in the NFL can afford to do.
