As the 2023 NFL Draft fast approaches the Bucs roster needs have become crystalized. And that gives us more information about how the draft may play out for your favorite team. The team picked up a couple of potential starting options since Pewter Report’s 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 4.0 was published.

Tampa Bay added offensive lineman Matt Feiler who could potentially start for the Bucs at either left guard or right tackle spot. Additionally, the signing of Ryan Neal adds a potential starter to the secondary reducing the team’s needs on the defensive side of things.

Bucs Personnel Needs

Offensive Tackle

New Bucs OL Matt Feiler photo by: USA TODAY

Following the release of long-time left tackle Donovan Smith, the Bucs have not added any substantial players to fill his shoes. Matt Feiler was recently signed, but he has not played substantial snaps at tackle since 2019. And those snaps were on the right side. Current right tackle Tristan Wirfs has been working out on the left side during the off-season, but if he were to move to that side it would still leave a hole in his stead.

Luke Goedeke, a 2022 second-round pick, played right tackle for two years in college, as did 2021 third-round pick Robert Hainsey. However, there are serious questions about both player’s prospects at being able to compete at the NFL level at that position. The team was encouraged by the development of reserve Brandon Walton, who could replace Josh Wells in the role of being a versatile swing tackle this year.

Outside Linebacker

The Bucs edge rushers underperformed in 2022. Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett suffered a torn Achilles half-way through the year and only had three sacks through the first eight games before he was injured. Barrett is making $17 million per season on average and there is some concern he may not return to form this year when he turns 31. Second-year pass rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round pick, could not rise to the occasion of improving his sack numbers despite ample opportunities. Tryon-Shoyinka has stalled out at four sacks in each of his two NFL seasons.

Backup Anthony Nelson found an unsustainable amount of luck that doesn’t quite match his actual talent level. He led all outside linebackers with 5.5 sacks and the team with three forced fumbles. But all of that led to nose tackle Vita Vea leading the team in sacks in 2022 with 6.5, and that can’t happen in a Todd Bowles defense. Reserve Cam Gill returns, but is not a lock to make the team. The Bucs need another dangerous pass-rushing outside linebacker as a safety net in case Barrett or Tryon-Shoyinka – or both – falter.

Slot Corner

Last year’s starting slot corner, Antoine Winfield Jr., is being moved back to his natural position of free safety. His backup, Sean Murphy-Bunting, signed with the Tennessee Titans. The Bucs currently do not have a natural slot corner on their roster.

Starters Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III are both more perimeter corners, as is second-year defensive back Zyon McCollum, but he may get a shot at cross-training inside due to his agility. Restricted free agent Dee Delaney has experience in the slot, but the Bucs showed a reluctance in using him in that role last year.

Inside Linebacker

Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: USA Today

In case you haven’t heard, middle linebacker Devin White wants a monster contract extension, or he wants out of Tampa Bay. The Bucs aren’t trading him, but that doesn’t mean he won’t hold out of training camp – or perhaps the season.

His starting partner, Lavonte David, may be playing his last season of professional football. David turns 34 next January and while he is still good, his production has waned in recent years. The Bucs are set for 2023 but may be barren at linebacker beyond then. Backup KJ Britt is not the long-term answer, and JJ Russell and Ulysses Gilbert appear to be nothing more than special teamers.

Defensive Tackle

Gone is Akiem Hicks. As is long-time Buc Will Gholston (at least for now). The Bucs signed Greg Gaines to pair with Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Deadrin Senat and Patrick O’Connor. Only Hall and Vea are under contract past 2024. Vea is a legitimate star, but there are questions surrounding Hall as he moves into his sophomore year where he needs to get bigger, better and stronger.

Bucs’ 2023 NFL Draft Picks

The Bucs currently have nine picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They traded their fourth-round pick to the to Jacksonville last year in order to move up and select cornerback Zyon McCollum in the fifth round. The team received a seventh-rounder as part of the 2020 trade for defensive tackle Steve McLendon. Last year they turned a seventh-rounder into a sixth-rounder by sending linebacker Grant Stuard to the Colts just before the regular season last year.

The Bucs received compensatory picks for the loss of free agents O.J. Howard (seventh round) and Jordan Whitehead (fifth round) in 2022. And finally, they turned one of their seventh-rounders into a sixth-rounder in the Shaq Mason trade a month ago.

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2023 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft – FINAL
By Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo

Round 1: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Junior • 6-4, 315

Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison – Photo by: USA Today

From a starting perspective, there is no bigger hole on the Bucs roster than that of offensive tackle. In our most recent mock draft, Pewter Report had the Bucs selecting an offensive tackle in Tennessee’s Darnell Wright. Since then, Wright has climbed the public boards and is likely to not be available when the Bucs select at pick No. 19. However, Harrison should still be on the board and he is still a very talented tackle who could develop into a 10-year starter at the position.

Harrison shows impressive athleticism that he pairs with solid tape. However, playing in a gimmicky offense at Oklahoma he will need to gain experience in a more traditional passing offense that will ask him to set vertically more. But the tools are there for him to develop.

Harrison’s arm length (34 inches), 40-yard dash (4.98), 10-yard split (1.71), vertical jump and broad jump all ranked above the 50th percentile among tackles. As a younger player (he just turned 21), Harrison shows an advanced feel for pass protection using his speed and get-off to protect the outside arc and his hip flexibility and quick feet to guard against inside counters and spin moves.

In the run game Harrison’s speed helps him to blend seamlessly into a horizontal attack similar to what the Bucs will employ in 2023 with their wide zone runs. He can get to the edge and lead block outside the hash marks, finding second level defenders and eliminating them on the move. Harrison is a natural puller who can clear a path with ease.

If Wright is still on the board the Bucs might opt to go in that direction instead because he can play both left and right tackle. Harrison may be a notch behind, but could wind up being the better pro in the long run due to his athleticism. And there is a chance the Bucs could trade back a few spots and pick up an additional pick and still land the Oklahoma star later in the first round.

Round 2: Auburn OLB Derick Hall
Senior • 6-3, 254

The Bucs could use a high upside edge rusher to improve both the floor and the ceiling of their outside linebacker room. The team could move on from Shaq Barrett as early as next year and they have questions about whether Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will be able to step into that No. 1 role. Hall could bring a mean demeanor, rocked up physique and some real pass rush talent to the Bucs pass rush.

While Hall may be a bit undersized, he makes up for it with arm length, power and leverage. He uses those three traits in concert to wreak havoc on opposing tackles. Hall has a unique ability to overwhelm his opponent with his speed (1.59 second 10-yard split) while maintaining his own composure. This allows him to react mid-rush and take advantage of his opposition’s mistakes. He converts speed to power with ease and will push through offensive tackles shoulders to both the outside and the inside.

HALL’S CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2019: 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
2020: 21 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 sacks, FF
2021: 52 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 2 FFs
2022: 60 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 FFs, FR, INT

Hall buoys all of this pass rush potential with strong run defense, showing an ability to maintain gap control, stack and shed blocks and finish by taking down ball carriers. His developmental upside is there as he has the opportunity to develop a more refined and robust pass rush arsenal to go along with his long arm and hand swipe. And his frame and developmental upside/time frame make him the perfect successor to Barrett. Hall finished his Tigers career with 19.5 sacks and five forced fumbles as a three-year starter.

Additionally, Hall has the potential to be a contributor on special teams. He logged 277 snaps on teams over his career at Auburn, including 106 this past season. Most of those snaps came as a part of the field goal block unit although he has experience in all five of the six teams areas (with the lone exception being field goals).

Round 3: Iowa TE Sam LaPorta
Senior • 6-3, 245

Cade Otton, last year’s fourth-round draft pick had a solid rookie season, showing he can potentially fill the role of low-end starter. However, he still needs to improve his play strength, blocking and consistency. Fellow rookie Ko Kieft became a fan favorite for his impressive pancake blocks, but still profiles as a third tight end to come in on short-yardage opportunities.

LaPorta would complement the two young tight ends as more of a playmaking, pass-catching option. LaPorta is a natural mover with good speed, running a 4.59 40-yard dash and extremely impressive explosive drills to match. He posted back-to-back years with 50 catches and 650 yards receiving while averaging 11.5 yards per catch.

LaPorta’s 10.25-inch hands vacuum up most passes that come his way and his natural movement skills help him create separation pre-catch and extra yardage post-catch. He still needs to develop as a blocker where inconsistent technique and a penchant for ducking his head have discounted his overall willingness to help in that phase of the game.

LaPORTA’S CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2019: 15 catches, 188 yards, 12.5 avg.
2020: 27 catches, 271 yards, 10 avg., TD
2021: 53 catches, 670 yards, 12.6 avg., 3 TDs
2022: 58 catches, 657 yards, 11.3 avg., TD

LaPorta would thrive in a move tight end role, allowing Otton to focus on being a more in-line option. The Iowa star has the potential to be a Travis Kelce/George Kittle-type receiving tight end in Tampa Bay. LaPorta is an above-average blocker and would team with Otton to make a nice 1-2 punch in the Bucs’ passing game out of 12 personnel sets.

Round 5: Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks
Senior • 6-3, 296

The Bucs could use some long-term size on the interior of their defensive line. Last year’s second-round pick Logan Hall was drafted despite his sub-285-pound frame, and he is still working on adding mass to hold up against NFL offensive lines. Despite playing defensive end in college, Brooks would bring a more traditional size at 296 pounds as he transitions to defensive tackle position.

Brooks was an active and productive player at Bowling Green. He leveraged his quick first step and his heavy hands to wreak havoc in the backfield while racking up 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in his senior season. Brooks will need to build upon his strong upper body with better lower-half power in order to hold up against massive interior lineman who will try to displace him in the run game. But if he can learn to lock in his hips and anchor down while improving his pad level, he could develop into a three-down lineman at the next level.

Starting four years out of his five seasons at Bowling Green, Brooks was a sack machine, recording 27.5 sacks, including 10 as a senior. The vast majority of those sacks came in the lesser MAC conference, but he did notch sacks at Kansas State and at Tennessee. He’ll need to get stronger to hold up against double teams along the interior, but his quick first step and powerful hands will certainly help him transition well to the NFL game.

BROOKS’ CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2018: 32 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
2019: 33 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks
2020: 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 sacks
2021: 42 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks
2022: 50 tackles, 18 TFLs, 10 sacks

With the Bucs having just Vita Vea and Hall under contract beyond 2023, the team could use more defensive linemen, especially after losing both Will Gholston and Akiem Hicks upfront. A starting trio of Vea, Hall and Brooks would give the Bucs a better pass rush upfront. Brooks starred at the Senior Bowl where he showed he belonged among Power 5 talent.

Round 5: Illinois RB Chase Brown
Senior • 5-9, 209

Having cut last year’s starting running back Leonard Fournette, the Bucs are turning to an approach best described as a committee. Last year’s third-round pick Rachaad White is the leader in the clubhouse to ascend to the starting role, with free agent acquisition Chase Edmonds and fourth-year back Ke’Shawn Vaughn vying for the backup role.

Brown would be a wise addition to that group. He would complement the group with home-run 4.43 speed and a rocked-up build on a short frame. Brown combines vision and tackle-breaking ability to generate both easy and tough yardage, racking up over 1,600 yards on the ground his senior year at Illinois. Brown sets up his blocks well and freelances off of them with quick cuts. He accelerates in and out of those cuts quickly getting to top speed at an impressive rate.

BROWN’S CAREER RUSHING STATS
2018: 71 carries for 352 yards (5.0 avg.) (Western Michigan)
2019: 3 carries for 18 yards (6.0 avg.) (Illinois)
2020: 104 carries for 540 yards (5.2 avg.), 3 TDs (Illinois)
2021: 170 carries for 1,005 yards (5.9 avg.), 5 TDs (Illinois)
2022: 328 carries for 1,643 yards (5.0 avg.), 10 TDs (Illinois)

BROWN’S CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2018: 10 catches for 75 yards (7.5 avg.) (Western Michigan)
2019: 0 catches (Illinois)
2020: 7 catches for 64 yards (9.1 avg.) (Illinois)
2021: 14 catches for 142 yards (10.1 avg.) (Illinois)
2022: 27 catches for 240 yards (8.9 avg.), 3 TDs (Illinois)

While there is a ton to like about Brown’s tape he could stand to improve in a few areas. His body-builder frame leaves him a bit short on flexibility and you can see that in his hips as Brown struggles to bend through contact, falling down on lighter hits.

Brown has made strides as a pass protector but still leaves something to be desired in that area, and his shorter stature creates a smaller target as a receiver. However, as a complimentary player he would make a great piece to an ensemble cast in Tampa Bay.

Round 6: Indiana LB Cam Jones
Senior • 6-1, 226

Change is coming for the Bucs linebacker corp. Neither starter is a lock to be on the team next year. Devin White could leave via trade or free agency, and Lavonte David could hang up his cleats as he turns 34 next January. The Bucs need new blood who embody the skills needed to potentially step into the starting lineup down the road.

Jones is a strong run defender in spite of his smaller build. He has solid pursuit skills and reads out run plays well with good finishing skills to top it all off. In order to maintain that strength, he is going to have to be able to read and react at a high level in order to beat offensive linemen to spots.

However, if Jones is to succeed at the NFL level he is going to need to improve in pass defense. Jones’ aggressive nature can often leave him out of position over-pursuing his zone or man in coverage.

JONES’ CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2018: 20 tackles, PBU, INT, FF, FR
2019: 35 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 PBUs, INT, FF, TD
2020: 35 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 PBUs
2021: 60 tackles, 2 TFLs, sack, 2 PBUs
2022: 54 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack, PBU, FF, FR

Jones, who had a formal interview with the Bucs, has a high football I.Q., is assignment sound and only missed four tackles last year. He proved he can be a do-it-all linebacker for the Hooisers, evidenced by seven career sacks, eight pass breakups and a pair of interceptions in his career. On tape his play style resembles that of David at times, and he’s well versed to play either middle (Mike) or weakside (Mo) linebacker spot.

Round 6: Pittsburgh S Brandon Hill
Junior • 5-10, 193

Hill gives the Bucs depth at both safety positions and some insurance in case Antoine Winfield Jr. or Ryan Neal gets hurt. With legitimate 4.43 speed, he can run with the best receivers while patrolling the deep center field portion of the field or come down hill and attack the run. Hill’s greatest asset is his willingness to play loose, using his natural athleticism take over. Armed with loose hips that let him turn and burn quickly, he can recover from play-fake bites easily and click and close quickly.

Despite the impressive athleticism, Hill does not play with the greatest instincts, biting on double moves and play-fakes far too often. He takes questionable routes in coverage and pursuit which leave him out of position too often. And depending on the week his tackling can look textbook or horrid.

HILL’S CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2020: 24 tackles, PBU, INT, 2 FFs, TD
2021: 71 tackles, TFL, 5 PBUs, 2 INTs, FF, FR
2022: 67 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 PBUs, FR, TD

Hill is a smaller safety in the mold of what head coach Todd Bowles often looks for. His frame is not dissimilar to that of former strong safety Jordan Whitehead, who also played at Pittsburgh. Like Whitehead, Hill is best suited for a box role. He has shown an ability to surprise quarterbacks getting to the flats in sky coverage more quickly than they anticipate, taking away check down options.

While Hill has not played much special teams in recent years, his physical profile suggest he can return to that role to provide additional value. With just three safeties on the roster, including last year’s practice squadder, Nolan Turner, the Bucs certainly need to add another one via the draft.

Round 6: Houston QB Clayton Tune
Senior • 6-2, 220

Quarterback’s Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield are set to battle for the Bucs starting quarterback role this off and pre-season. The loser of that battle will settle into the primary backup position. Beyond those two the team is devoid of a long-term developmental signal-caller and a No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart.

That role used to belong to Trask, who is now ready to ascend one-to-two rungs on the ladder, while last year’s backup Blaine Gabbert has signed with Kansas City. The Bucs drafted Tune’s teammate, defensive tackle Logan Hall, last year, and had the Cougars quarterback in Tampa Bay for a Top 30 pre-draft visit.

Tune is an athletic quarterback with good straight-line speed and even better multi-directional mobility. Both of those attributes play up with his solid arm strength that he can use both on and off platform. Tune has a good feel for the position, pairing above-average pocket presence with a boxer’s mentality to stick in the pocket to deliver a throw despite pressure.

TUNE’S CAREER PASSING STATS
2018: 59-of-117 passing (50.4%) for 795 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs
2019: 106-of-179 passing (59.2%) for 1,533 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs
2020: 170-of-285 passing (59.6%) for 2,048 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs
2021: 287-of-420 passing (68.3%) for 3,544 yards, 30 TDs, 10 INTs
2022: 334-of-496 passing (67.3%) for 4,074 yards, 40 TDs, 10 INTs

TUNE’S CAREER RUSHING STATS
2018: 41 carries for 53 yards (1.3 avg.) TD
2019: 66 carries for 244 yards (3.7 avg.), 2 TDs
2020: 72 carries for 253 yards (3.5 avg.), 5 TDs
2021: 105 carries for 154 yards (1.5 avg.), 2 TDs
2022: 128 carries for 544 yards (4.3 avg.), 5 TDs

Tune might have to adjust his release in the NFL to make it quicker and more compact as he’ll have less time to throw at the next level. For him to develop beyond a backup role at the NFL level he will need to improve his decision-making, trusting his read progression more than his arm strength and receivers.

Overall, Tune appears to be a good fit for a Dave Canales-type offense. He’s mobile, and can succeed on bootlegs, quarterback waggles and in the play-action quarterback run game. Tune always scans downfield to make the big play and threw for 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions for a quality 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio in college.

Round 7: Louisiana Tech CB Myles Brooks
Junior • 6-0, 201

With the loss of Sean-Murphy Bunting, Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan, the Bucs secondary is in need of some fresh talent to fill out the depth portions of the unit. Enter Brooks, who has good size and arm length to fill a special teams and developmental role. A ball-hawking playmaker, Brooks works best playing in press coverage where he isn’t afraid to use his physicality to an opportunistic end. Brooks is a natural catchpoint winner disrupting throws at the last second and shows a willingness to participate in the run game coming down hill quickly to assist.

However, he is also a limited athlete who lacks the instincts to get his physical traits to play up. He plays with a high center of gravity and tight hips, which lead to awkward transitions where he can get lost or turned around on route-breaks. Due to his press-man technique and his average-at-best speed (4.51 40), if he falls behind a receiver he tends to panic and get grabby, leading to far too many penalties. Brooks will need to apply what NFL coaching will try to teach him to clean up bad habits while trying to show an ability to play special teams to stick on an NFL roster.

BROOKS’ CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2019: 23 tackles, 6 PBUs, INT (Stephen F. Austin)
2020: 17 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 5 PBUs, INT (Stephen F. Austin)
2021: 25 tackles, 6 PBUs, 4 INTs (Stephen F. Austin)
2022: 29 tackles, 3 TFLs, 8 PBUs, 3 INTs, FF (Louisiana Tech)

Brooks brings a solid blend of size and speed to the position. He works primarily, and is at his best, in a press man scheme where he can get his hands on receivers and disrupt their routes at the line of scrimmage. This has been an archetype the Bucs have coveted and pursued in the past. There are a lot of red flags with Brooks though.

Brooks’ best developmental course is to get a few seasons on a practice squad honing his craft and becoming more comfortable in zone coverage. He’ll also need to become more committed to being a better, more aggressive tackler. Brooks has very limited experience outside of the field goal block unit on special teams. He would have to make the 53-man roster or the practice squad by showing up in a big way on coverage units as a rookie.