As expected, the Bucs began to address their needs on the defensive side of the ball on Day 2 of the draft with the back-to-back selection of cornerbacks. In Pewter Report’s FINAL 2025 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft we had forecast the drafting of cornerbacks in the second and third rounds – albeit different players. We had the Bucs taking East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr. and California’s Nohl Williams, who was projected by us to play nickel cornerback.

Instead, Tampa Bay wound up drafting Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison in the second round after he was medically cleared from hip surgery, and then chose Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish in the third round. At 6-foot, 199 pounds, Morrison projects as an outside cornerback in Todd Bowles system while Parrish, who is just under 5-foot-1o, 191 pounds, will likely be moved inside to the slot. Parrish played a lot of outside cornerback for the Wildcats, but also saw plenty of time at nickel.

With three picks left in the fourth round, fifth round and seventh round, what will Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles do on Day 3? Likely continue to address the defense. Let’s take a look at some of the Day 3 prospects the team has shown interest in prior to the draft.

Bucs Will Likely Target Linebacker Early On Day 3

Bucs vice president of player personnel Mike Biehl met with the media on Friday night at the end of Day and discussed the team’s need at inside linebacker. Tampa Bay has SirVocea Dennis, who went on injured reserve in Week 5 last year due to season-ending shoulder injury, penciled in as a starter next to Lavonte David, who is back for another season in red and pewter at age 35.

“I think that inside ‘backer is something that … we’re excited about ‘Voss’ (SirVocea Dennis) with him coming off the injury, but that’s something that we will certainly look at [on Day 3],” Biehl said. “I’m assuming, at some point, just to see if we can upgrade our depth. I mean, again, somebody asked about special teams earlier, like, those guys are invaluable and that’s where some of your better special teams players come from, so we factor that in when we’ll be looking at guys.”

Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs met formally with several Day 3 linebacker prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, including Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa, Georgia’s Smael Mondon, Penn State’s Kobe King and Florida’s Shemar James. Pewter Report has Bassa as its Day 3 inside linebacker Bucs Best Bet. Ole Miss’ Chris “Pooh” Paul would also be a great selection in the fourth round. Tampa Bay has also shown some pre-draft interest in California’s Teddye Buchanan and Washington’s Carson Bruener.

Will Tampa Bay Draft An Edge Rusher This Year?

Selecting an outside linebacker is something that the Bucs would like to do if the right pick is available at the right time in this year’s draft. The team opted to go with the highest-rated player on the draft board in the first round with Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, but did have high grades on several edge rushers, according to Tampa Bay vice president of player personnel Mike Biehl.

“There were guys there that were in consideration in the first round when we took Emeka and there were some guys [on Day 2] that were in the conversation, too,” Biehl said. “At the end of the day, we just follow the board. There [are] still some really good pass rushers left and we’re hoping we can pick some of those up [on Day 3].”

Central Arkansas OLB David Walker – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay doesn’t have to draft an edge rusher this year due to the signing of Haason Reddick – assuming the soon-to-be 31-year old returns to double-digit sack form – and the continued emergence of Yaya Diaby. The team also has high hopes for last year’s second-round pick, Chris Braswell, especially under the tutelage of Larry Foote, who is returning to coach the outside linebacker position. Foote is a game-changer coaching that room, and will even get the most out of Markees Watts and former sixth-round pick Jose Ramirez.

From a pure numbers standpoint, the Bucs don’t need another edge rusher as long as Reddick is as good as advertised and Foote can get Diaby and Braswell to level up this offseason. Tampa Bay also re-signed the steady Eddie of the OLB room, Anthony Nelson, to another two-year deal this offseason.

But should the Bucs decide to use one of their three Day 3 picks on another outside linebacker, Central Arkansas’ David Walker, LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, Syracuse’s Fadil Diggs and Illinois’ Seth Coleman are some names to know. The Bucs had a formal interview with Walker at the NFL Scouting Combine and he’s Pewter Report’s Day 3 Bucs Best Bet.

Defensive Tackle, Safety Could Also Be A Day 3 Option

This is a very deep defensive tackle draft and the Bucs might take one on Day 3 to bolster the team’s depth. Former second-round pick Logan Hall is entering a contract year and 33-year old Will Gholston may not return and opt to retire. South Carolina’s Tonka Hemingway, Clemson’s Payton Page and Utah’s Junior Tafuna all had formal interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine. Hemingway is Pewter Report’s Day 3 Bucs Best Bet.

South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway – Photo by: USA Today

Other defensive tackles that could tempt Tampa Bay on Day 3 include Indiana’s C.J. West, Nebraska’s Ty Robinson, Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles, BYU’s Tyler Batty, Arkansas’ Eric Gregory and Georgia’s Walter Brinson.

The Bucs have yet to draft a safety and may consider doing so on Day 3. Tampa Bay had Marshall’s JJ Roberts in for an official 30 visit and he’s Pewter Report’s Bucs Best Bet on Day 3. The team also had a formal interview with Penn State’s Jayleen Reed. Kansas State’s Marques Sigle might also be an option. The Bucs have drafted two K-State defensive backs in recent years in cornerbacks Josh Hayes (sixth round, 2023) and Jacob Parrish (third round, 2025).

And if the team wants one more nickel cornerback for depth and competition, keep an eye on Oregon’s Nikko Reed, who was also brought in for an official 30 visit prior to the draft.

Are Any Offensive Players Under Consideration?

It’s unlikely the Bucs will draft another offensive player this year with the team likely looking for another player along the defensive line in addition to another inside linebacker. But general manager Jason Licht loves drafting offensive linemen, especially from a small school.

Tampa Bay had a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine with Sacramento State’s Jackson Slater and USC’s Jonah Monheim. Slater was a guard but can also play center, while Monheim is a center, who also saw time at guard and tackle for the Trojans. Iowa’s Connor Colby and Texas’ Jake Majors had informal interviews with the team in Indy. The Bucs also met informally with several offensive tackle candidates, including Texas’ Cameron Williams, Kansas’ Logan Brown, Rutgers’ Hollin Pierce, Florida’s Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and LSU’s Emery Jones.

Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane Photo by: USA Today

It’s doubtful that the Bucs would draft another running back with Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker on the depth chart, but White is in a contract year and may not be re-signed in 2026. Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo would be a great fit in Tampa Bay, as well as Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten, a speedster who can also return kicks. Both had informal interviews with the Bucs in Indy and are Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets.

One last offensive name to know is Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane. Tampa Bay had a formal interview with him at the Combine and he’s a candidate to return kicks and punts and help out on special teams. At 5-foot-9, 191 pounds, he’s similarly built to Kam Johnson and could offer competition for the final wide receiver spot on the depth chart. Lane, who is a Pewter Report Bucs Best Bet, was one of the fastest receivers at the Combine, running a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash.