The Bucs addressed a need at defensive tackle with the first-round selection of consensus All-American Calijah Kancey, who was also the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, with the 19th overall pick. What’s in store for Tampa Bay on Day 2 as the Bucs continue to address needs in the second and third round? Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews what the Bucs could do with the 50th and 82nd overall picks on Friday night.

BUCS DAY 2 PREVIEW: OFFENSE

Bucs Offensive Line Needs Fortifying

While the Bucs addressed their offensive line in free agency prior to the draft with the addition of veteran Matt Feiler, Tampa Bay needs another player or two to bolster the trenches. The Bucs parted ways with left tackle Donovan Smith in the offseason and traded starting right guard Shaq Mason.

Tampa Bay passed up on Oklahoma left tackle Anton Harrison in the first round, but could still address tackle on Day 2 with the likes of Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron or BYU’s Blake Freeland. North Dakota State left tackle Cody Mauch will likely transition to guard at the next level the way Alex Cappa did in Tampa Bay. Mauch has some fans at Bucs headquarters in the AdventHealth Training Facility.

Don’t rule out center either, as Ryan Jensen is 32 and making a comeback from a serious knee injury. Robert Hainsey has the ability to play center or guard, but that won’t prevent Tampa Bay from adding another quality snapper to the mix. Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz and Ohio State’s Luke Wypler and Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann are names to watch.

Another Running Back In The Third Round?

Texas RB Roschon Johnson Photo By: USA Today

Jason Licht has drafted three running backs in the third round since taking over as Bucs general manager, including Charles Sims (2014), Ke’Shawn Vaughn (2020) and Rachaad White (2022). Could he mine the third round again for another runner, or will he wait until Day 3? Texas’ Roschon Johnson and Illinois’ Chase Brown could be third-round picks. Both visited Tampa Bay on pre-draft Top 30 visits.

And don’t rule out the Bucs taking UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet, who was also in for a Top 30 visit. Tampa Bay is looking for an angry runner, and Charbonnet’s as angry as they come. The 6-foot, 214-pound Bruin breaks tackles on nearly every run.

Time For A Tight End?

The 2023 draft class is super deep at tight end, and there are several the Bucs like that could be selected in the second or third round. Iowa’s Sam LaPorta may be at the top of the list and would pair nicely with Cade Otton. While Georgia’s Darnell Washington is a monster in the running game as a blocker and is emerging as a red zone weapon due to his 6-foot-6, 265-pound size. Either could go in the second round.

Like Washington, Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker was in for a Top 30 visit, and could be a third-round option. He can block and catch. North Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft is a load to bring down and has some Bucs traits. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine and could be another third-round option.

Too Soon For A QB?

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker – Photo by: USA Today

Chances are the Bucs go for a quarterback on Day 3 where they’ve shown interest in Houston’s Clayton Tune and BYU’s Jaren Hall – both were in for Top 30 visits.

Like every other team in the first round, the Bucs passed on taking Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who slides into Day 2. He’ll likely be gone by the time the Bucs are on the clock, but if he’s not – would Tampa Bay be too tempted to take him?

Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is recovering from a torn ACL, and that injury kept him out of first-round consideration. If he falls to No. 50 he could be a steal. Both Levis and Hooker were in Tampa Bay for Top 30 visits.

Bucs Could Go For The Right Receiver On Day 2

While Tampa Bay has a formidable starting trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage, the Bucs will need to add some depth to the position, and the team also wants to get faster. It’s hard to imagine the Bucs prioritizing receiver over other more glaring needs in the third round. But if speedsters like Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims (4.38) or Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (4.33) are on the board, it might be too tempting to pass up.

BUCS DAY 2 PREVIEW: DEFENSE

Bucs Could Target Edge Rusher On Day 3

The 2023 draft class is fairly deep at edge rusher, and the Bucs like several outside linebacker candidates who could be on the board when the Bucs pick in the second and third rounds. Auburn’s Derick Hall and LSU’s B.J. Ojulari could be options at No. 50, while Louisville’s YaYa Diaby or Missouri’s Isaiah McGuire might be in consideration in the third round with the No. 82 overall pick.

Secondary Needs Remain A Priority

Illinois DB Jartavius Martin Photo By: USA Today

The Bucs need to come away with a starting nickel defender in the slot, whether it’s a cornerback like Sean Murphy-Bunting or a safety like Antoine Winfield Jr. Todd Bowles has used both corners and safeties in the slot before. The nickelback spot is considered a starting position in Tampa Bay. Alabama’s Brian Branch slid out of the first round and would be a great pick if he somehow slid to the Bucs at No. 50. Florida State slot safety Jammie Robinson could be an option in the third round.

Other options include Illinois nickelback Quan Martin, Illinois safety Sydney Brown and Sacramento State safety Marte Mapu – all three of whom had Top 30 visits to Tampa Bay. It might be a little early for Pittsburgh’s Brandon Hill, but he’s likely a mid-round pick who was the fastest safety at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.43 time in the 40.

Jason Licht has drafted four safeties in Tampa Bay and three of them have come on Day 2 in Justin Evans (second round, 2017), Mike Edwards (third round, 2019) and Winfield (second round, 2020). The Bucs have just three safeties on the roster with Winfield, Ryan Neal and Nolan Turner. Adding another safety is a priority.

If the Bucs want to find another tall, outside cornerback, Kansas State’s Juju Brents was in for a Top 30 visit and has the size and physicality Bowles loves on the perimeter. Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of former Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly, is regarded as a mid-round pick and could sneak into the third round.

Bucs Need To Line Up Another Linebacker

Auburn LB Owen Pappoe – Photo by: USA Today

Given Devin White’s possible holdout and the fact that Lavonte David will turn 34 in January, the Bucs would be wise to load up at inside linebacker. Behind that dynamic duo are KJ Britt, JJ Russell and Ulysses Gilbert. All are special teamers and haven’t shown they’re capable of being starters yet.

Arkansas’ Drew Sanders interviewed formally with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, and could be an option in the second round. Auburn’s Owen Pappoe might make his way into the second round due to his speed. With a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash he’s the fastest linebacker in this year’s draft class. The third round might be a little early for Indiana’s Cam Jones, but rumor is that the Bucs like him.

Tampa Bay May Not Be Done At Defensive Tackle

The Bucs may want to continue to add talent and depth at defensive tackle where the unit could use another player or two to round out the depth chart. Tampa Bay had Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore in for a Top 30 visit, and he has the flexibility to play defensive tackle and edge rusher, which is where he played in college.

The same could be said for Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks, who was also in for a Top 30 visit. Brooks isn’t as athletic and fast as Adebawore, but he’s bigger at 304 pounds, and was more productive at defensive end for the Falcons, racking up 27.5 career sacks. Like Adebawore, Brooks could be a flex defender who can play inside as well as on the edge.