The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been stuck in purgatory since the departure of Tom Brady, and need a game changer in the first or second round to jumpstart their push back to championship contention. The Buccaneers aren’t quite good enough to make a deep playoff run, but they also aren’t bad enough to get a top pick in the NFL draft. Their first pick comes just below the halfway mark of the first round at 19th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Needs and Draft Strategy
Wide Receiver:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been blessed with the privilege of having an elite No. 1 wide receiver over the last decade, but many experts believe that now is the time to use a top draft pick to strengthen their pass-catching group. Mike Evans is a future Hall of Famer, but he is in the final year of his contract and if things don’t change quickly he is expected to opt to transition to a new team the following season.
Tampa’s other top receiver, Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7 and is heading for free agency this offseason. That leaves the Buccaneers with little choice but to take a swing for the fences by picking a talented receiver in the first few rounds, which will most likely be their top priority in the 2025 NFL draft.
Linebacker
Linebacker is the anchor of any great defense, and the Buccaneers could use a major upgrade in the middle of the field. Yaya Diaby and Lavonte David are both solid players, but the Buccaneers currently lack a true difference-maker at the position. There are several promising targets to look at in the 2025 NFL draft who might instantly elevate Tampa Bay’s defense.
EDGE
The Buccaneers already have a dominant offensive line, and would love to add a game-changing presence on the defensive side of the ball. Edge defensive linemen have become some of the most dominant defensive players on the field, with the top four DPOY candidates all lining up on the outside of the defensive line. Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey are simply not good enough to make an impact, and a dominant pass rusher alongside the massive Vita Vea could transform the Buccaneers defense into an elite unit.
How many picks do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have in the 2025 Draft?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold six draft picks in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. While the team is still rebuilding after its 2021 Super Bowl victory, the foundation is in place with a steady QB in Baker Mayfield and several draft picks that could turn into key contributors sooner rather than later. Their selections this year are as follows:
- 1st Round: 19th Overall
- 2nd Round: 53rd Overall
- 3rd Round: 84th Overall
- 4th Round: 120th Overall
- 5th Round: 158th Overall
- 7th Round: 237th Overall
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled in the draft recently, and will need to capitalize on a few of these picks if they hope to win their fifth straight NFC South championship next season. They own all of their picks outside of their sixth-round pick, which they traded to the Lions along with Carlton Davis in exchange for a third-round selection last year.
Potential Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Picks 2025
1st Round, 19th Overall: Nick Scourton (EDGE, Texas A&M)
This might be considered a slight reach, but EDGE Nick Scourton would slot in nicely in the Buccaneers defensive line. He led the Big Ten in sacks in 2023, and has incredible speed for his size. His acceleration still needs work, but once Scourton hits full stride, it’s nearly impossible to slow him down. Trading back and picking up Scourton with a 20-25 pick could also be an option.
1st Round, 19th Overall: Jihaad Campbell (Linebacker, Alabama)
The Alabama football program has already produced countless dominant linebackers, and Jihaad Campbell would be an excellent pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has the size needed to take down tight ends in the middle of the field, and his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes is exceptional compared to many of his peers. Although he can get over excited on misdirection-based plays, he is still very coachable and would most likely thrive in Tampa Bay.
2nd Round, 53rd Overall: Jalen Royals (Wide Receiver, Utah State)
While using their first round pick on a wide receiver may not be ideal, a second round selection on Jalen Royals could be a steal for the Buccaneers. His agility is his best asset, as getting Royals the ball with short passes and allowing him to rack up yards after the catch has proven to be a great strategy. He lacks the size to be a direct Mike Evans replacement, but his upside cannot be ignored.
3rd Round, 84th Overall: Barrett Carter (Linebacker, Clemson)
Whether or not the Buccaneers use a top pick on a linebacker remains to be seen, but doubling up on the position with Barrett Carter would be a smart move. Carter is one of the most talented linebackers in this year’s draft, but his lack of size at 6 ‘1 could make him one of the biggest hidden gems this year. He struggles in the run game, but more than makes up for it with his coverage in the middle of the field. Tampa Bay struggled against flat routes last season, and Carter’s instincts and ball skills would immediately help address that issue.
