Since the last mock draft roundup two weeks ago, the Bucs now sit at 5-6 after a bounceback 30-7 win over the Giants. Depending on how Tampa Bay fares in the last six games of the season will determine the team’s trajectory, biggest needs, and 2025 NFL Draft position. Each game is a must-win contest to stay in the NFC playoff race, and with there still being a wide range of where the team could draft, there is a wide net of prospects that could be realistic draft fits.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

There are still some big holes on the defensive side, primarily at inside and outside linebacker and cornerback. The most glaring need on defense is at inside linebacker, with Lavonte David playing through his age-34 season and K.J. Britt playing at a replacement-player level.

The Bucs have gotten a lot of their inside pass rush between defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey this season, but the outside pass rush lacks a true No. 1 player.

Cornerback remains a tricky situation that general manager Jason Licht and the front office will need to evaluate further this offseason. Can Jamel Dean be relied on to stay healthy, and does he contribute enough for his contract? Investing in Zyon McCollum in the fifth round of 2022 has paid off handsomely, and adding another young, playmaking cornerback could do wonders for the secondary.

Offensively, the return of wide receiver Mike Evans has injected life back into the offense. Still, there has not been another wide receiver that has taken over the No. 2 role behind him since Chris Godwin’s injury. Evans and Godwin are only getting older – and have more injury concerns. The team invested a third-round pick in Jalen McMillan and surely will like to see more out of him in the future but drafting a talented wide receiver in the first round would give McMillan more time to develop and provide quarterback Baker Mayfield another dynamic weapon.

The other big need on that side of the ball is at left guard. With Ben Bredeson’s contract up after the season, Licht could invest one more premium pick on an offensive lineman to make an already above-average offensive line elite.

With the Bucs’ current standing and biggest roster needs documented, PewterReport.com looks at the latest mock drafts over the last week and what they have in store.

NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers

Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

No. 13 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.

The current sack leaders for Tampa Bay are nose tackle Vita Vea [6] and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey [5]. They are getting no production from their edge pass rushers. While Pearce is not a true three-down player just yet, his unique movements and burst off the edge creates havoc on passing downs. A front of him, Vea, Kancey and Yaya Diaby would be able to help get the Bucs’ defense off the field.

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards

No. 13 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama OG Tyler Booker

The offensive line has been a priority for Tampa Bay in recent years. Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke are a reliable tackle tandem and Graham Barton has done some good things in his first season at center. Sua Opeta is a free agent after the season and guard is a spot they could still look to upgrade.

Pro Football Network’s Kyle Yates

Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

No. 13 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka

Tampa Bay was looking like a strong playoff contender over the first half of the season. Baker Mayfield was spreading the ball around to his playmakers in this new Liam Coen offense, but the injury bug has hit this unit hard, and the wheels have barely been hanging on over the past several weeks.

With the strong possibility that WR Chris Godwin hits the free agent market coming off of his season-ending injury, plus Mike Evans nearing the tail end of his stellar career, a replenishment of talent into this offense would go a long way to keeping Baker playing at a high level over the next several years.

Emeka Egbuka is a smooth, shifty, route-running technician who would fill Godwin’s role out of the slot perfectly in this offense. He should be an easy selection for this front office if he’s still available when they come up on the clock.

The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs

No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart

The Bucs have a pretty reliable track record of loving super-physical trench players. Meet the latest — Shemar Stewart. Stewart is an absolute monster with his heavy hands and supreme length; it feels like he’s only scratching the surface of what he is capable of as an NFL talent. Putting him in the trenches next to the likes of Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall would give the Bucs that much more explosiveness and punch at the point.

Pro Football Network’s Owain Jones

No. 13 – Tampa Bay Bucs: East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr.

Tampa Bay needs help on defense. A CB or an EDGE would have been a wise decision by the PFN Mock Draft Simulator. Surprisingly, the sim has opted to add an elite athlete to the secondary in Shavon Revel Jr. The ECU corner has already declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and has received rave reviews from scouts.

However, Revel suffered a season-ending ACL tear in practice after featuring in three games in 2024. While he showcases great ball skills, athleticism, and anticipation, the injury combined with the Pirates defender’s overly aggressive technique, which will need to be reined in, may see him fall down the board on draft day.

Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness

No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.

Pearce was once considered the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in this draft. While there are concerns about his size at the NFL level, his pass-rushing ability and expected athletic testing should keep him in the conversation as the top edge defender in April.

Over his college career, Pearce has amassed 107 total pressures on just 498 pass-rushing snaps.

Tankathon.com

Missouri WR Luther Burden III – Photo by: USA Today

No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Missouri WR Luther Burden III

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso

No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton

Scourton looks like one of the more NFL-ready outside rushers – with interior capabilities – in this class. The Buccaneers have to add more talent to their defensive line.

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Charles McDonald

No. 23 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Missouri WR Luther Burden III

Tampa Bay gets a stud slot receiver in Burden who can jump in as a starter. The Bucs might not need this player depending on Chris Godwin’s health for next season, but it certainly couldn’t hurt to add a player like Burden to the offense.