Pewter Report is known for its Bucs Best Bet predictions, which are the players we believe the Bucs are targeting and would draft in either the first three rounds or the final four rounds.

Pewter Report has had quite a bit of success in forecasting Bucs picks in recent years with Bucs Best Bets such as OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and QB Kyle Trask in 2021, DT Logan Hall and TE Cade Otton in 2022, and G Cody Mauch, OLB YaYa Diaby, TE Payne Durham and WR Trey Palmer in 2023.

Pewter Report’s 2024 NFL Draft coverage is energized by CELISUS – the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Click here to save money and buy CELSIUS on Amazon – and try the new CELSIUS Vibe flavors!

2024 Bucs Best Bets – Offense

Bucs’ Best Bet QB – Rounds 1-3: South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

If the Bucs are going to draft a quarterback on Day 2 it’s most likely going to be Rattler, whose game and career arc resembles that of Baker Mayfield’s. Rattler, like Mayfield, had to overcome some questionable elements about his reputation and has redeemed himself over the past season with a very good year at South Carolina and a great showing at the Senior Bowl.

Both Rattler and Mayfield have similar builds at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds and have cannons for arms while being mobile, but not overly fast. Drafting Rattler would allow the Bucs to have him sit and learn from Mayfield while he competes with Kyle Trask for the backup QB spot.

Bucs’ Best Bet QB – Rounds 4-7: Tulane QB Michael Pratt

If Tampa Bay drafts a quarterback on Day 3 it would most likely be either Pratt or Kentucky’s Devin Leary, who played for Liam Coen at Kentucky last year. But Pratt’s advantage, aside from being a taller, more athletic quarterback, is the touch that he can put on passes and the fact that he’s a winner.

Pratt’s leadership and playmaking ability turned Tulane into a Top 25 team the past two seasons. He’s a gamer who is highly competitive and does what it takes to win. While he only has above average arm strength, Pratt has a lot of intangibles to like and would be a solid pick in the fourth round.

Bucs’ Best Bet RB – Rounds 1-3: USC RB Marshawn Lloyd

USC RB Marshawn Lloyd – Photo by: USA Today

Lloyd is a bigger back at 5-foot-9, 220 pounds and has great elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability. He starred at South Carolina for two years with quarterback Spencer Rattler before transferring to USC where he played with Caleb Williams. Lloyd is plenty fast with a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash, and that speed shows up on tape, especially as he accelerates through the line of scrimmage. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022 for the Gamecocks and 7.1 yards per carry last year for the Trojans.

Lloyd would offer a nice change of pace to Rachaad White as he’s a more urgent runner. And he has good receiving skills despite being underused in the passing game at both South Carolina and at USC. He only caught 13 passes last year for the Trojans, but picked up 232 yards (17.8 avg.). He’s also a good red zone runner with back-to-back seasons with nine rushing touchdowns. Lloyd was one of two backs that had a formal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bucs’ Best Bet RB – Rounds 4-7: Georgia RB Kendall Milton

If the Bucs wait until Day 3 to address the running back position, which they might, Milton would be a late-round consideration. Although he ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash, Milton is a banger that runs with nice power and tackle-breaking ability. Solidly built at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, he’s a threat in short-yardage situations and around the goal line, evidenced by 22 rushing touchdowns over the past two years, including 14 last season.

Milton gives the Bucs’ backfield more of a physical presence, and he’s good in pass protection – although he was not used much in the passing game. He had just 12 catches for 116 yards (9.7 avg.) and one touchdown out of the backfield at Georgia. Milton comes from a winning program, as the Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships from 2021-22, and only lost one game last season. New Bucs receivers coach Bryan McClendon was on Georgia’s staff the past couple of years and will vouch for Milton.

Bucs Best Bet WR – Rounds 1-3: Florida State WR Keon Coleman

Florida State WR Keon Coleman – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen values catch radius in wide receivers and the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Coleman has size and vertical (38 inches) to make plenty of contested catches downfield and win in the red zone. He scored 11 touchdowns in his first and only season at Florida State and had seven TDs the season prior at Michigan State. The Bucs rely on Mike Evans to come down with end zone catches on red zone targets, and Coleman can learn from one of the most prolific touchdown producers at wide receiver and be groomed to be his eventual replacement.

While Coleman lacks ideal speed with a 4.61 time, he is athletic and physical. In fact, Florida State used him as a punt returner due to his ability to elude defenders and break tackles. Coleman is a team-oriented player can also help in the running game with his high-effort blocking prowess on the perimeter.

Bucs Best Bet WR – Rounds 4-7: Virginia WR Malik Washington

Compactly built at 5-foot-8, 191 pounds, Washington will probably be a slot-only receiver in the NFL, but in a system like Liam Coen’s in Tampa Bay, which will feature a lot of bunch formations in three-receiver sets, that’s okay. Coen’s scheme is designed to get slot receivers free releases and then Washington’s speed, agility and quickness can do the rest.

Washington has tremendous hands and just plucks the ball out of the air. He logged 11 contested catches despite his small stature thanks to his insane 42.5-inch vertical. Washington is a YAC specialist, as he broke 35 tackles last year with his strength and elusiveness, which was tops among all receivers in college. He’s a perfect replacement for Chris Godwin after spending a year learning under his wing.

Bucs Best Bet TE – Rounds 1-3: Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott

Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott – Photo by: USA Today

As highly as the Bucs think of tight end Cade Otton, the team could use an upgrade in terms of speed and athleticism, as well as blocking. Sinnott could be the best all-around tight end in this year’s draft behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. It doesn’t mean he’ll be the second tight end off the draft board, but Sinnott’s ability to block and be a weapon in the passing game is rather unique. Sinnott is the only tight end in this year’s draft class that had a 72 run blocking and receiving grade from Pro Football Focus last year. He can help the Bucs in many ways, as he lined up as an in-line tight end, at H-back and also as a fullback.

Sinnott is a great athlete with great hand-eye coordination and exceptional contact balance from years of playing youth hockey in addition to other sports. He’s used to being a primary weapon on offense, as he led the Wildcats in receiving yards (676), catches (49) and touchdowns (six) last season, and he has some Sam LaPorta vibes. But he takes pride in his blocking. If the Bucs are serious about improving as a running team, they’ll need better blocking from the tight end position and that’s what Sinnott could deliver. Sinnott, who came in for a Top 30 visit, has the talent to be TE1 in Tampa Bay.

Bucs Best Bet TE – Rounds 4-7: Illinois TE Tip Reiman

If the Bucs wait until Day 3 to add another tight end it might be a different kind of player than the team has added in the past. Reiman is 6-foot-5, 271 pounds but moves very well for a big man, running a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash. If selected in the fourth or fifth round, he would be the biggest and fastest tight end on Tampa Bay’s roster. Reiman is just as good of a receiver as he is a blocker, but was underused in Illinois’ passing game, catching just 19 passes for 203 yards (10.7 avg.) and three touchdowns in 2023. He had zero drops last year, which speaks to his improvement catching the ball.

Reiman was a team captain last year and is a team-first player. He’s logged significant snaps on special teams (555 in his career, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler), which the Bucs value from the tight end position. If Tampa Bay were to select Reiman he would not only challenge Cade Otton for TE1 duties, but likely push one-dimensional Ko Kieft off the roster and upgrade the talent of the tight end room. Like K-State’s Ben Sinnott, Reiman visited Tampa Bay for a Top 30 visit.

Bucs’ Best Bet OT – Rounds 1-3: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

Oklahoma OL Tyler Guyton – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs general manager Jason Licht has a history of drafting left tackles and moving them inside to play guard. He’s done with Ali Marpet (2015), Alex Cappa (2017) and Cody Mauch (2023) in years past. Guyton, a super-athletic right tackle, has the skillset to move inside to play guard at the next level. If the Bucs want to draft an offensive lineman to fill in at left guard for Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie, who have both departed in free agency, Guyton certainly has the traits to do it.

The Oklahoma product is still a work in progress at age 21, but there is a chance he still could be on the board at No. 26 when Tampa Bay is on the clock. Guyton has long arms and quick feet. Despite being 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, Guyton plays with great knee bend and won’t get out-leveraged because he anchors well in pass protection. The Bucs had a formal meeting with Guyton at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bucs’ Best Bet OT – Rounds 4-7: Kansas OT Dominick Puni

There is a chance that Puni could go in the third round, but he’s also 24 years old after playing six years of college football at Central Michigan and at KU. If Puni is there late in the third round or in the fourth round he would be a great value pick for the Bucs because of his position flexibility. Puni started 12 games at left tackle for the Jayhawks last season, but started 13 games at left guard as a junior.

He also has the frame to play right tackle in the NFL, but the Bucs would view Puni as a guard or even a candidate at center where he showed he could compete at the Senior Bowl. With his frame he’s closer to Ryan Jensen’s size and bigger than Robert Hainsey. He plays with a physical nasty demeanor and would fit in well with that the Bucs are looking to do offensively. Puni is a bit top heavy, and needs to work on his lower body strength. But he has quick, nimble feet for a man of his size. Tampa Bay met with Puni formally at the Combine.

Bucs’ Best Bet G – Rounds 1-3: Duke G Graham Barton

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photo courtesy of Duke

Barton was a standout left tackle at Duke for the past three seasons, protecting the blindside of talented quarterback Riley Leonard. But with his shorter-than-ideal arms at just under 33 inches, Barton will likely be moved inside to guard or center at the next level. In fact, Barton started five games at center during his freshman year. The Blue Devils star is capable in both pass protection and in the run game, and has drawn some comparisons to former Bucs Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet for his athleticism, toughness, football I.Q. and physicality.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht is famous for drafting athletic college left tackles and moving them inside to play guard in Tampa Bay. He’s done that in years past with Marpet (2015), Alex Cappa (2018) and Cody Mauch (2023). With a big hole at left guard and the team needing an upgrade at center over Robert Hainsey, who is entering a contract year, the Bucs could draft Barton in the first round if he’s available and try him out at either position to determine his the best fit. Tampa Bay had a formal meeting with Barton at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bucs’ Best Bet G – Rounds 4-7: Boston College G Christian Mahogany

The interesting thing about Jason Licht and the guard position is that he’s never drafted a pure guard outside of Tennessee State’s Kadeem Edwards in the fifth round in 2014, which was his first draft as Bucs general manager. Out of the 10 offensive linemen he’s drafted, the last nine have all been offensive tackles that have either played that position in Tampa Bay or moved inside to guard or center. Would Mahogany be the first guard Licht drafts in a decade? The Boston College star certainly seems like a worthy candidate with his 34 starts at either right guard (23) or left guard (11).

Mahogany is a physical presence inside and plays with violent hands and a nasty demeanor. He loves to finish blocks and plays up to and sometimes through the whistle. The two-time team captain bounced back from an ACL injury that cost him his junior season to earn first-team All-ACC honors as a senior. Mahogany didn’t allow a single sack or QB hit during his final year at BC. He’s perfect for a power-based running attack, but has enough athleticism and footwork to also be featured in a zone blocking scheme.

Bucs Best Bet C – Rounds 1-3: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs would love to see Powers-Johnson fall to them at No. 26 in the first round, but if Tampa Bay truly wants to target the Oregon center general manager Jason Licht may have to trade up to get him. Powers-Johnson is a huge fan of former Bucs center Ryan Jensen and mimics his bully playing style by playing to and through the whistle and imposing his will on his opponents. Although his frame is not as large as Jensen’s was, Powers-Johnson is a big, powerful center and he would be an instant upgrade over Robert Hainsey.

The Bucs met formally with Jackson Powers-Johnson at the NFL Scouting Combine and also had him in for a Top 30 visit. Powers-Johnson could bring more of a smash-mouth approach to the interior of Tampa Bay’s offensive line, and that’s something that has been missing for the past two seasons due to Jensen’s career-ending injury.

Bucs Best Bet C – Rounds 4-7: Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini

If Tampa Bay misses out on one of the top centers in the draft there is still hope in the middle rounds to grab a good one because this year’s draft class is relatively deep at the position. Bortolini is one of the most athletic centers in this year’s draft and also brings tremendous position flexibility. There is a chance that Bortolini could be drafted in the third round due to his athleticism and versatility, but the fact that he’s barely 300 pounds may cause him to slide to Day 3 where he would be an early fourth-round pick.

Bortolini seems like an ideal fit for Tampa Bay’s zone blocking scheme due to his movement ability and the run-first mentality at Wisconsin. He’s tough at the point of attack although he could use a bit more size at the next level and must continue to hit the weight room. Bortolini spent three years blocking for Braelon Allen and could improve the Bucs’ ground game. The Bucs had an informal meeting with him at the NFL Scouting Combine and also showed significant interest in him at the Wisconsin pro day.

Watch The Pewter Report Draft Show April 25-27

The annual Pewter Report Draft Show returns for the 2024 NFL Draft. Pewter Report’s three-day live-streaming coverage of the Bucs draft happens on the PewterReportTV channel and is energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. The event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25 – one hour before the official start of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Hosts Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera will be broadcasting live all three days from the Bucs’ team headquarters at the AdventHealth Training Center. Other members of the Pewter Report staff, including Adam Slivon, Bailey Adams and Josh Queipo will also be making on-air appearances to offer up their insight and analysis as the Bucs make their selections.

And the PR staff will also be interacting with Bucs fans and answering questions in 20 hours of coverage over three days.

Pewter Report 2024 Draft Show Schedule On PewterReportTV on YouTube

Thursday, April 25 – 7:00 p.m. ET (picks begin at 8:00 p.m. ET)
Friday, April 26 – 6:00 p.m. ET (picks begins at 7:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, April 37 – 11:00 a.m. ET (picks begins at noon ET)

The Pewter Report staff will also be having live reaction and analysis from the Todd Bowles and Jason Licht press conferences that happen throughout the three-day event. As well as reaction to the team’s first-round pick from Friday’s press conference.