With their first sixth-round pick (No. 181) in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bucs selected Kansas State defensive back Josh Hayes.

Hayes, a 5-foot-11, 197-pounder out of Lakeland, Florida, began his collegiate career at North Dakota State. While there, he was a teammate of Bucs second-round pick Cody Mauch. He played in all 15 games as a true freshman and actually made his first career start in the FCS National Championship Game, totaling three tackles and a forced fumble as the Bison beat James Madison.

Kansas State DB Josh Hayes Photo By: USA Today

After two more successful national championship-winning seasons with the Bison in which he totaled 87 tackles and 15 passes defended, he played the first six games of the 2020 season for North Dakota State before leaving the team. He transferred to Virginia for the 2021 season, but ended up transferring again to Kansas State in 2022.

It was in 2022 that Josh Hayes really burst onto the scene, starting the final 13 games for the Wildcats. He posted 71 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss while breaking up seven passes as Kansas State went on to win the Big 12 Championship. His best game came in a win over Iowa State, as he finished with 11 tackles (eight solo), a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

Hayes was unheralded throughout the pre-draft process, but the Bucs clearly liked him enough to make him a sixth-round pick. As a Lakeland product, Hayes would have possibly been attendance at the team’s local pre-draft workout day. He’s a versatile and physical defender who fills a big need for Tampa Bay’s defense. A quick player who ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, he could be an option to fill in the Bucs’ vacant nickel cornerback position. However, he also could slot in at safety, where the team also has a need for depth.

How Josh Hayes Figures Into The Bucs’ Secondary Landscape

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After selecting Hayes, the Bucs may have a clearer look at what their secondary could look like in 2023. They have Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean locked in as their starting outside cornerbacks, with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal set to hold down the safety position. The big opening is at the nickel cornerback position, where the team has a few different options.

Hayes could figure into the competition for that nickel position, though Bucs general manager Jason Licht mentioned 2022 fifth-round pick Zyon McCollum and Anthony Chesley as in-house options to challenge for that role. Of course, Winfield and Neal have experience playing inside. Head coach Todd Bowles said in February that he would like to keep Winfield at safety, but having versatility with a variety of his defensive backs is only going to help him work with different looks.

The Bucs waiting until the sixth round to add to their secondary was a bit of a surprise, as safety and slot cornerback were two of the team’s bigger needs heading into the weekend. But Hayes brings the ability to potentially play both positions. Of course, Tampa Bay could still build out its secondary with free agents, including those of the undrafted variety.

Hayes actually has plenty of ties to the Bucs as a Lakeland native who played his high school football at Lake Gibson. Not only that, but the late Geno Hayes – a former Tampa Bay linebacker from 2008-2011 – was his uncle. Now, the former K-State standout will follow in his uncle’s footsteps. Both were selected by the Bucs in the sixth round of the draft, 15 years apart.