The Bucs’ just got finished with the 2023 NFL Draft, but NFL draft evaluators and analysts can’t help but look ahead to next year. A slew of way-too-early 2024 NFL Mock Drafts are out, and predictably, most have the Bucs drafting a quarterback. In all cases so far it’s North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

Most of these NFL Mock Drafts are using over/under odds from Las Vegas to predict the draft order, and as of right now, it looks like the Bucs are destined to draft in the Top 10 – perhaps even the Top 5. The Bucs have other ideas, and signed Baker Mayfield to compete with Kyle Trask, a second-round pick in 2021, in hopes of repeating as NFC South champions for a third straight year.

Here are the breakdowns of Maye, and also one of Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers, the lone non-Maye draft pick for the Bucs so far.

Matt Holder – Bleacher Report

No. 3. Tampa Bay Bucs: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Team Needs: QB, WR, S

While they weren’t expected to pick up a quarterback early in the 2023 draft given their draft slot, the Tampa Bay Bucs are rolling into the season with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask as their options under center. Neither inspires much confidence. And Mayfield is on a one-year deal, while Trask has two years left on his rookie contract.

North Carolina QB Drake Maye – Photo by: USA Today

The good news is this should put Tampa Bay on the fast track to getting one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class. With Williams off the board, the Bucs walk away with Drake Maye from North Carolina.

As a true freshman in 2021, Maye redshirted behind current Washington Commanders starter Sam Howell. After Howell graduated, Maye took over and ended up being not only the ACC’s 2022 Rookie of the Year but also the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year. Not bad for his first season as the starter.

The Tar Heel completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns against seven interceptions while also tacking on 698 rushing yards and seven more scores on the ground. The ball flies out of his hand, and he’s a natural at making plays with his legs.

Dane Brugler – The Athletic

No. 4 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

With 45 total touchdowns last season, Maye not only put himself on the NFL radar, but he also jumped near the top of the list. With his size, arm and athleticism, he has skills comparable to those of Justin Herbert.

Max Chadwick – Pro Football Focus

No. 5 – Tampa Bay Bucs: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

The Buccaneers find their new franchise quarterback in Maye, who was the most valuable player in college football last season according to our wins above average metric. His 45 big-time throws were 10 more than the next-closest FBS quarterback and he tied for second among all quarterbacks with 56 combined rushing first downs/touchdowns.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

No. 6 – Tampa Bay Bucs: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers’ teammate, Darnell Washington, lasted until Round 3, but he looks like a bona fide first-rounder based on his Georgia career to date.

Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network

No. 7 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

After a 2022 campaign that saw him complete 342 of 517 attempts for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, Drake Maye has drawn comparisons to Justin Herbert. The 6’4″, 220-pound QB has unnatural mobility for his size, and he also effortlessly layers high-velocity throws with his arm. He helps Tampa reset at the QB spot.