At one point in the 2023 season, it looked like draft talk surrounding the Bucs was going to start quite early. Remember, Tampa Bay was 4-7 at the end of November and was slated to pick inside the top 10 of the 2024 Draft. But the team has since won six of seven games and finds itself still playing on the third weekend in January. With their win over the Eagles in the Wild Card Round, the Bucs set up a matchup with the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round.

As a result of last Monday’s win, the Bucs are now picking later in the 2024 Draft. But that win over Philadelphia also solidified a few things for Tampa Bay. For one, Todd Bowles has earned another year as the team’s head coach. That means, despite head coaching interest from Carolina and potentially elsewhere, offensive coordinator Dave Canales should stick around for another year.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

And finally, as a result of Bowles and Canales returning and because of his own play during a career year, quarterback Baker Mayfield appears primed to turn his one-year prove-it deal for 2023 into a multi-year deal in 2024.

With Mayfield expected to return for the Bucs in 2024, general manager Jason Licht may be able to wait on finding his quarterback of the future. Of course, Licht could take advantage of a deep 2024 quarterback class and find a quarterback to develop in the middle rounds of April’s draft.

But with Mayfield likely in line for a deal in the three-year range and with Kyle Trask under contract for one more year, there’s unlikely to be any rush in finding another rookie signal-caller to come in and join the room.

The latest 2024 mock drafts reflect that new reality for Tampa Bay. Quarterbacks were once popular picks for the Bucs in 2024 mocks, but the latest have the team addressing more pressing needs.

Bucs’ Current Needs For The 2024 Offseason

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With quarterback no longer set to be one of the Bucs’ top needs for the 2024 offseason, the team can look elsewhere during free agency and, of course, the 2024 Draft.

On offense, Tampa Bay could use another running back to pair with Rachaad White. White went over 1,500 yards from scrimmage in his second year and while Chase Edmonds has been a nice complement when healthy, another young back could really help the offense.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht doesn’t have the best track record with running backs, but he looks to have finally hit on one with the selection of White. Can he make it two in a row?

Help at wide receiver and tight end are needed, too. Mike Evans is set for free agency and while he could and should be back with the Bucs, he’s on the wrong side of 30 and only has so many years left. Not to mention, Chris Godwin will be entering a contract year in 2024.

Behind Evans and Godwin, only rookie Trey Palmer would be a lock to return next year. As for tight end, Cade Otton would be better off as a No. 2, so finding a clear-cut No. 1 should be a priority for Tampa Bay this spring.

On the defensive side of the ball, a high-end pass rusher is undoubtedly the biggest need. But linebacker is a big position of interest given the uncertainty over the future. Lavonte David is still playing at a high level and still has plenty to offer the Bucs in 2024, but he could decide to retire soon. Devin White is going to hit free agency too, so Bowles will need to replace at least one – if not two – linebackers in the near future.

And in the secondary, someone to play alongside the soon-to-be-paid Antoine Winfield Jr. is a must-add, while the team could also look for a new nickel cornerback. Undrafted rookie Christian Izien has done a fine job in 2023, but perhaps the team looks to upgrade if the opportunity presents itself.

Whenever the Bucs’ season does come to an end, make sure to stay dialed in with PewterReport.com and PewterReportTV on Youtube, as the Pewter Report team will bring you the best Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, NFL free agency and NFL Draft coverage.

Bucs 2024 Mock Draft Roundup – Divisional Weekend

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah

Round 1, Pick 26: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

“I love Rakestraw’s toughness and competitiveness. He fits the Bucs’ mold with Todd Bowles.”

Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings

UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu – Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

“Injuries might push Laiatu Latu down the board, but if he drops to the 26th overall pick, the Buccaneers should sprint to the podium.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran

“Sedrick Van Pran still needs to improve at sustaining proper pad level through reps and more consistently absorbing power. But if Tampa Bay’s goal is to add a high-upside center prospect on Day 2, Van Pran has the athletic tools to be an impact starter in time.”

Round 3, Pick 89: Utah S Cole Bishop

“Underneath Antoine Winfield Jr., Cole Bishop is a superb attacking strong safety who also has functional coverage ability at the intermediate level.”

Round 4, Pick 121: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen

Round 6, Pick 185: Notre Dame CB Cam Hart

Round 7, Pick 218: Pitt WR Bub Means

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards

LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

“Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still playing at a high level, but Evans is playing out his contract. In the event he is not re-signed, the Buccaneers may look to replace him through the draft. Brian Thomas Jr. is a unique combination of height, weight and speed.”

Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling

Round 1, Pick 26: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

The Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy

Round 1, Pick 26: Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell

Round 2, Pick 59: West Virginia C Zach Frasier

Round 3, Pick 89: Michigan LB Junior Colson

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler

Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Photo by: USA Today

Round 1, Pick 26: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

“McKinstry has mostly second-round grades from scouts, but his tape and resume show a prospect with NFL-starting skills. According to one NFL scout, [LSU WR Malik] Nabers named McKinstry as the toughest cornerback he faced in college.”

Round 2, Pick 57: Texas WR Xavier Worthy

“With some looming decisions this offseason, wide receiver might move up Tampa’s priority list. At his size, Worthy won’t have a high success rate on contested catches, but his vertical speed and ability to make crisp, sudden route cuts make him a tough cover.”

Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell 

Round 1, Pick 26: Georgia OT Amarius Mims

“Tampa Bay badly needs interior offensive line help. Mims could start at guard, but also would give the Buccaneers a tackle option in case of injury.

Mims is a giant monster who manned right tackle for Georgia. He has very little body fat and is a unique physical specimen with size, speed and athleticism. Team sources say Mims has 11.2-inch hands and 36-inch arms, as well as quickness. They noted his physical body is similar to that of Tyron Smith.

NFL team evaluators said Mims was more physical and nasty in 2023, and he was playing dominant football before being sidelined for a while by a lower leg injury. Team sources said that while Mims could be in the running for the best skill set of any player in the 2024 NFL Draft, he could slide to late in the first round because of his lack of playing experience, which was hindered by missing games to injury in 2023.

Previously, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Mims was a backup and rotational player for Georgia. He dominated Ohio State to close out the 2022 season and looked like he was toying with the highly touted Buckeyes defensive ends.”

Round 2, Pick 57: North Carolina LB Cedric Gray

North Carolina LB Cedric Gray Photo by: USA Today

“Tampa Bay could let Devin White walk in free agency and find a replacement in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In 2023, Gray amassed 121 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four passes defended. He was one of the best linebackers in college football in 2022 and super productive for the Tar Heels. Gray recorded 144 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and one sack that season.

In 2021, he totaled 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has a good build and instincts.”

Round 3, Pick 90: South Carolina CB Marcellas Dial

“The Bucs could consider adding corner depth and some options in case they want to get cheaper.

Dial will continue the South Carolina tradition of producing draftable cornerbacks for the next level, as he flashed ability during 2022 in the starter role across from Cam Sutton. That season, Dial recorded three interceptions, 12 passes broken up and 45 tackles. He totaled 33 tackles and six breakups over 2021. In 2023, Dial notched 36 tackles, one sack and 10 passes broken up. The 6-foot, 195-pounder has good size, but teams have questions about his instincts and overall athleticism.”