More Than Expected – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 Draft Profile

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the team no one saw coming in 2023. Expectations were exceeded as Baker Mayfield led the franchise to a NFC South division title, and a playoff win. They now head into the off-season hoping to build on that success with additions through the draft. With what could be some big time veteran departures, they will need to maximize every pick.

 

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Darius Robinson, Edge, Mizzou

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

 

The Bucs are in what many consider the “wildcard range” of the NFL Draft, possessing the 26th overall pick. They have to address the elephant in the room that is Mike Evans’ impending free agency. Assuming he is going to be playing in another uniform, drafting his replacement is of the utmost importance.

Brian Thomas Jr. has the potential to be just the player to fill the void left by Evans. The 6’4″ LSU product is a blazer with large catch radius. His deep routes are highlighted by an elite second gear and the ability to track the ball while in full stride. Thomas Jr. is a touchdown machine as well, and that will be invaluable in a league that is so pass driven.

Outside of getting a stout replacement at receiver, the Bucs will need to bolster the defensive side if the ball. They could go a couple of routes but edge rusher and cornerback are premium positions, and should be the focus in the middle rounds.

One of the better pass rush specialist in the draft is Mizzou product Darius Robinson. Robinson has elite traits that will translate well at the NFL level. Violent hands at the point of attack coupled with a plethora of pass rush moves allows Robinson to play multiple positions along the defensive front.

Tampa has benefitted from having  serviceable cornerbacks for the last couple of years, but getting some young talent could help boost the weakest link in their secondary.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has everything you want from a modern-day NFL cornerback. He possesses prototype size and length, fluid hips, and good straight-line speed. Brownlee Jr. can play in the slot or outside with good effectiveness, as he excels in press man coverage. His versatile skillset would allow him to play in alongside Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean while also getting valuable experience for the future.

The Bucs could go from exceeding expectations to meeting them with a solid draft class. The foundations are already in place for a strong group of rookies to come in and contribute early, and the right group could shoot Tampa Bay back to the top.