The 2023 NFL season isn’t even halfway over, but the Bucs are picking far from the Top 5 as many NFL pundits predicted they would in 2024. With Tom Brady retiring most thought the Bucs would be vying for USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Instead, the Bucs are picking No. 19 in the latest mock drafts.

PewterReport.com takes a look at what the latest round of popular mock drafts have in store for Tampa Bay next April.

SI.com’s Luke Easterling (2 Rounds)

19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama OLB Dallas Turner

Salary cap constraints could leave the Bucs with tons of needs to fill in the offseason, so they should be snatching up the best talent that falls to them at any number of positions here. This scenario points them to the edge rusher group, where Turner has the perfect skill set for Todd Bowles’ defense, and has put up huge numbers this season.

Clemson ILB Barrett Carter – Photo by: USA Today

51. Tampa Bay Bucs: Clemson ILB Barrett Carter

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso

19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Clemson ILB Barrett Carter

The Buccaneers probably need to think long term at the linebacker position, and Carter looks like the most NFL-ready second-level defender in the class.

Walter Football’s Water Chrepinsky

19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Duke OL Graham Barton

The Buccaneers have a weak offensive line that wasn’t tested until the blowout loss to the Eagles. They’ll have to address it early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Graham Barton is a very nasty run blocker. He may move to guard in the NFL.

Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell

19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Duke OL Graham Barton

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photo by: USA Today

The Tampa Bay offensive line is inept at run blocking. The team needs more talent at the point of attack. Some pro sources say their teams are projecting Barton to move inside to guard in the NFL. They say that Barton plays with short arms and his body type could fit better on the inside.

Pro evaluators like how Barton is physical, nasty and strong in the ground game. While playing left tackle for Duke, Barton is a consistent run blocker and pass protector. The 6-foot-5, 314-pounder could a superb guard in the NFL. Barton could end up being a first- or second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

51. Tampa Bay Bucs: Oklahoma ILB Danny Stutsman

The Bucs grab a linebacker understudy for Lavonte David. Stutsman (6-4, 241) is a tough linebacker for the Sooners, making a lot of tackles and some splash plays for his defense. This season, he has 70 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a pass defended. In 2022, he recorded 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up.

Team sources said Stutsman is very athletic, very fast and very instinctive. They stated they feel he has good size and length, but lacks ideal strength and physicality. They shared that Stutsman could be similar to Pete Werner, except Stutsman is a little more finesse and has a lack of strength compared to Werner.

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema

PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator: Most-Picked NFL Draft Prospects For Every Team

Most-picked player: QB Bo Nix, Oregon (19.8%)

Second choice: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington (15.3%)

There is no long-term love for Baker Mayfield from Buccaneers fans and general mock draft users, as both of Tampa’s most selected prospects are quarterbacks we project as mid-to-late first-round guys.