The Bucs coaches and personnel staff will travel to Mobile, Ala. this week for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl to scout some of the nation’s best college football players. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles have drafted 10 Senior Bowl participants over the last two years – five in each of the last two drafts.

The Pewter Report staff will be in Mobile too to cover all of the Bucs-oriented Senior Bowl action.

In this Bucs 2024 Senior Bowl Preview, we’ll take a look at 20 potential Tampa Bay targets on the defensive side of the ball. On Saturday, Pewter Report featured 20 possible Bucs targets on offense at the Senior Bowl.

Bucs Outside Linebacker Targets

Tampa Bay could move on from 31-year old edge rusher Shaq Barrett this year as his production (4.5 sacks) no longer comes close to his salary. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, the team’s first-round pick in 2021, hasn’t lived up to expectations and likely won’t have his fifth-year option picked up. The Bucs could very well select an outside linebacker in the first round at No. 26 to pair with YaYa Diaby, last year’s third-round pick.

UCLA OLB Laiatu Latu – 6-4, 265

Latu is considered the top edge rusher in this year’s draft. He followed up a 10.5-sack season in 2022 with 13 sacks last year. He’s forced five fumbles over the past two seasons and had a pair of interceptions last year. Latu would be a sure-fire Top 5 pick if not for a serious neck injury that caused him to miss the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Washington. He finally got medical clearance to play after transferring to UCLA and has been hell on wheels ever since, notching 21.5 tackles for loss last year. With the Bucs picking at No. 26, Latu will be long gone by the time the team is on the clock.

Alabama OLB Chris Braswell – 6-3, 248

Alabama OLB Chris Braswell – Photo by: USA Today

Braswell, who is Tampa Bay’s first-round pick in Pewter Report’s initial 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft, had to bide his time behind Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner as a rotational player for the Crimson Tide in 2022, but had a breakout year with 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pick-six in his first season as a starter. Strong, fast and physical, Braswell has the tools to bend the edge.

Penn State OLB Adisa Isaac – 6-4, 248

Playing opposite Chop Robinson, a possible first-round pick, Isaac actually out-produced him last year at Penn State. Isaac had 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss compared to Robinson’s three sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. At 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Isaac is a mid-round pick who hopes to solidify a spot on Day 2 in Mobile.

Washington State OLB Brennan Jackson – 6-4, 264

Jackson, who had 8.5 sacks last year, was a very productive three-year starter for the Cougars. He amassed 35 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, broke up eight passes, recovered five fumbles, forced three fumbles, scored three TDs on fumble recoveries and had an interception. With long arms, a nice NFL-sized frame and a nose for the ball, Jackson is a Day 3 prospect who could ascend with a great showing in Mobile like YaYa Diaby did a year ago.

Defensive Tackles

The Bucs could very well skip drafting a defensive tackle this year after investing three top draft picks on Vita Vea (2018), Logan Hall (2022) and Calijah Kancey (2023). The Bucs are also high on reserve defensive tackle Mike Greene. With Vea, Kancey and Hall all slated to start in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense, if the Bucs draft another defensive tackle, it will be late on Day 3 for the fourth or fifth spot on the depth chart. But there are a few intriguing Day 2 options, too.

Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat – 6-4, 362

Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat – Photo by: USA Today

Sweat was an All-American, the Big XII Defensive Player of the Year and the Outland Trophy Award winner last year for the Longhorns. He posted 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and four batted balls, but caused more havoc than the stat sheet showed. Sweat has a body like Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea, and moves incredibly well for his size. Sweat is viewed as a second-round pick.

Missouri DT Darius Robinson –  6-5, 296

Robinson is a high-cut, chiseled athlete who played defensive end in a 3-4 alignment at Missouri. He notched 14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble last year, which greatly improved his draft stock. He’s essentially a more stacked version of Logan Hall, although Hall is more fluid than Robinson, who is more stiff in his movements. Robinson is considered a Day 2 selection.

Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus – 6-3, 290

Like Robinson, Dorlus was a 3-4 defensive end at Oregon where he was a physical, disruptive force and tough against the run. A three-year starter, he came on as a pass rusher and finished with 12 sacks, including three as a senior. Dorlus notched 27 tackles for loss and was busy at the line of scrimmage with 14 batted passes, including nine last year. Dorlus is a Day 2 pick.

Linebackers

The Bucs won’t bring back free agent Devin White, whose play was very inconsistent over the last two years, and Lavonte David just turned 34 and may or may not return in free agency in 2024. Tampa Bay likes K.J. Britt, J.J. Russell and SirVocea Dennis, but will likely draft another inside linebacker to fill White’s spot on the roster with a mid- or late-round pick.

North Carolina State ILB Payton Wilson – 6-4, 238

Wilson overcame two ACL tears early in his career and a serious shoulder injury that forced him to miss nine games during the 2021 season. He was incredibly productive for the Wolfpack, recording 402 career tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 13 pass breakups, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Wilson is fast, athletic and tough. He has second-round talent, but medical evaluations may cause his draft stock to slip.

North Carolina ILB Cedric Gray – 6-2, 235

North Carolina ILB Eric Gray – Photo by: USA Today

Gray was a tackling machine for the Tar Heels, notching 145 tackles with 12 tackles for loss in 2022 and then 121 stops with 11 tackles for loss last year. He’s also an accomplished blitzer with 8.5 career sacks, including five last season. Gray finds a way to be around the ball, evidenced by 13 pass breakups, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries within the last three years. He’s a mid-round pick, but if he times well, Gray could warrant a Day 2 selection.

Mississippi State ILB Nathaniel Watson – 6-2, 245

Watson is a big, downhill thumper similar to Tampa Bay’s K.J. Britt. He’s very good in run support, but isn’t terribly fluid in pass coverage. The Senior Bowl coverage drills will be big for Watson, who recorded 377 tackles as a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. Watson notched 35 tackles for loss and 21 sacks, including 10 last year, but only had five pass breakups and two interceptions. His blitzing skills make him a good fit for Todd Bowles’ defense. Watson is likely a mid-round pick.

Michigan ILB Michael Barrett – 6-0, 239

Barrett, a Tampa native, was a three-year starter for the Wolverines defense and helped Michigan win a national title. With 208 career tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss, Barrett is stout against the run. Barrett also recorded three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last year, and has four pass breakups and two interceptions in his career. Barrett’s draft stock will depend on his 40-time, but he’s likely a mid-round selection.

Miami SS/ILB James Williams – 6-5, 224

Williams will be one of the more scrutinized players in Mobile. After playing three years at safety at Miami, Williams will be transitioning to linebacker due to his size. At 6-foot-5, 224 pounds, Williams might be too big to play safety at the next level. Williams recorded 162 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Williams is a good athlete, but will likely be a Day 3 pick because of the position change.

Defensive Backs

The Bucs have a pressing need at strong safety, where free agent signing Ryan Neal was a bust last year. This year’s draft class is pretty deep at safety and there are quite a few interesting prospects at the position in this year’s Senior Bowl.

Moving Christian Izien to strong safety has also been discussed, and doing so would open up a need for a nickelback to play in the slot. If Carlton Davis III becomes a salary cap casualty this offseason, then the Bucs would have a need for another starting-caliber cornerback to provide depth behind Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum.

Miami S Kamren Kinchens – 6-0, 211

Miami S Kamren Kinchens – Photo by: USA Today

Kinchens is one of the best play-making safeties in this year’s draft and is battling Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin for being the first safety off the draft board at the end of the first round. Primarily a free safety, Kinchens has experience in the box and in the slot too as a three-year starter. He had six interceptions, including a pick-six, and six pass breakups in 2022, and had five picks, including another pick-six, and five pass breakups this past year. Kinchens is a good tackler and a good leader and would look great in red and pewter.

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell – 6-0, 196

Despite playing at a MAC school, Mitchell has the chance of being a first-round pick with a good showing in Mobile against better competition. He earned a 92.5 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022 and then a 91.5 grade this past year as one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. Mitchell has six interceptions in the last two years and didn’t give up a touchdown last season. Opposing quarterbacks completed only 43.5% of their passes against him, and his 17 forced incompletions were the third-most in the nation.

TCU CB Josh Newton – 6-0, 190

Newton has been battle-tested in the Big XII and held up well, earning consistent grades at 76 or above from PFF over the past three seasons. More of an outside cornerback, Newton is better in man coverage than playing zone, and forced 10 incompletions last year. He finished with seven career interceptions and 36 pass breakups, and is regarded as a Day 2 pick.

Georgia S Javon Bullard – 5-11, 195

Bullard was a two-year starter for the Bulldogs and mostly played free safety and slot cornerback. Very good in coverage, Bullard forced seven incompletions last year and opposing QBs only completed 34% of their passes against him. Bullard notched eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight pass breakups for the Bulldogs defense over the last three years and is viewed as a Day 2 pick.

Michigan NCB Mike Sainristil – 5-10, 182

Although a bit undersized, Sainristil is tough and plays bigger than his frame would indicate. Used primarily as a slot corner at Michigan, Sainristil helped the Wolverines win a national championship and had a big interception against Washington to seal the victory. A former wide receiver-turned-cornerback, Sainristil had six interceptions, including two pick-sixes last year, in addition to six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Sainristil is likely a third- or fourth-round pick.

Oregon CB Khyree Jackson – 6-3, 195

The Alabama transfer had a breakout season in his lone year at Oregon where he earned an 80.5 Pro Football Focus grade. Jackson allowed just a 41.6 opposing QB rating and had three interceptions with only one touchdown surrendered. He also broke up seven passes and had two sacks. His outstanding size and long arms could make him a Bucs-type cornerback early on Day 3.

Rutgers CB Max Melton – 6-0, 190

Oregon State S Kitan Oladapo – Photo by: USA Today

Melton, who played with Todd Bowles Jr. at Rutgers, is a ballhawk who has had 21 pass breakups and eight interceptions over the past three seasons. He’s also forced a fumble and recovered four fumbles for Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights. The brother of Packers receiver Bo Melton, the Rutgers cornerback also played with Bucs rookie safety Christian Izien in college and is regarded as a Day 3 pick.

Oregon State S Kitan Oladapo – 6-1, 217

Oladapo is a muscular, fast safety  that played mostly in the box and in the slot in his three seasons as a starter at Oregon state, but also has experience at free safety. Regarded as a very good run stuffer with improving coverage skills, Oladapo forced seven incompletions last year and broke up 23 passes in his career, in addition to recording three interceptions and 6.5 sacks. Oladapo is a Day 3 sleeper, and was featured in Pewter Report’s initial 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft.

Pewter Report’s Senior Bowl Coverage Begins On Monday

The entire Pewter Report staff will travel to Mobile, Ala. on Monday to cover the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, which is the premier college all-star game. The Bucs have drafted five players from the Senior Bowl in each of the last two seasons.

Additionally, the Senior Bowl is also known as the biggest NFL job fair. With the Bucs needing an offensive coordinator to replace Dave Canales, and possibly wide receivers coach Brad Idzik if he follows Canales to Carolina, general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles will have a dual purpose in Mobile.

Pewter Report will have complete coverage of the Senior Bowl practices and the Bucs’ offensive coordinator search on PewterReport.com, as well as on the Pewter Report Podcasts – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report.

Try the new CELSIUS Essentials, which is engineered for the workout enthusiast in a bigger can with more caffeine to fuel your workout. There are four new delicious CELSIUS Essentials flavors – Orangesicle, Dragonberry, Blue Crush and Cherry Limeade.

For Senior Bowl week the Pewter Report Podcast will be in prime time – Monday through Wednesday – live at 7:00 p.m. ET. Bucs fans can watch the Pewter Report Podcast live on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel.

Pewter Report Podcast Schedule

Monday, January 29 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, January 30 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, January 31 – 7:00 p.m. ET