Who would have thought it would already be Bucs’ Mock Draft season?

With the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season being largely disappointing for Tampa Bay, it is now a time for rest – and a look into the future. After getting off to a 3-1 start with convincing wins over the Commanders, Lions, and Eagles, the team has since lost five of their last six games to drop to 4-6 heading into the bye week.

Bucs assistant GMs John Spytek and Mike Greenberg, personnel director Rob McCartney and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With the Bucs’ playoff prospects growing slimmer and it becoming evident that there are some significant needs to address across the roster, this is a further glimpse into how the team could approach the 2025 NFL Draft. After recently previewing the needs on offense and defense, it is clear that there is a common sentiment on which positions general manager Jason Licht and the front office need to focus on adding talent.

Offensively, preparing for life without wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin has to be part of the thought process. Evans is 31 years old and recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out, while Godwin’s season-ending ankle injury, combined with being a free agent after this season, leaves his future in the air.

On the defensive side of the ball, there is plenty of room for improvement across the board from the player personnel side, regardless of what the coaching staff looks like next spring. In particular, adding another edge rusher to pair with 2023 third-round pick Yaya Diaby and 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell has to be near or at the top of the list, as well as upgrading the inside linebacker and cornerback positions where the Bucs’ depth has been tested.

That said, PewterReport.com looks at the latest mock drafts and what they have in store.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas WR Isaiah Bond

The speedster is a fun addition to a quality Buccaneers team that has to plan ahead at the receiver position.

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner

Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter – Photo by: USA Today

No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter

Carter’s range feels pretty wide right now. The 2024 season is his first as a full-time edge defender, and it’s been good – but not “whoa” good. And though his 18 percent win rate is terrific, it’s down from last year. Still, it’s not hard to see the potential payoff should everything click, as he’s far closer physically to Micah Parsons than Chop Robinson was last year.

Tankathon.com

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.

The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Missouri WR Luther Burden III

The Buccaneers have been hit hard by injuries this year, with a season-ending injury to veteran receiver Chris Godwin and another injury to Mike Evans. Both of these players have been key pieces to the Buccaneers’ success over the past decade, but now it’s time to start thinking about the transition. With this pick, the Buccaneers select receiver Luther Burden III, a dominant slot receiver who can work in a similar way to Godwin.

The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs

Texas A&M DL Nic Scourton – Photo by: USA Today

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M DL Nic Scourton

The Buccaneers defense has struggled mightily this season. Defenses are finding room to run, teams are scoring points, and the Bucs are spiraling in situational metrics. They have their own problems on offense amid the injury bug, but defensively, the holes that were a concern entering the season have fueled some of their issues.

Getting diverse pass rush help would surely help their cause – and the Bucs have recently trended towards powerful defensive linemen like Nic Scourton. He can play all over the front, and if Bowles is back for 2025, Scourton’s flexibility would be a lovely added layer to their ability to match personnel and play against heavy or spread sets and know the team has a legit threat on the edge.

Pro Football Network’s Owain Jones

No. 16 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams

The 2024 season was pinned as a critical one in Mykel Williams’ growth, and the Georgia edge rusher has indeed kept developing in his first year as a starter. With one of the most intriguing physical profiles, Williams has the build at 6’5” and 265 pounds, and he also oozes athletically gifted traits.

The former five-star recruit has a high NFL ceiling, where he can continue to evolve his traits, increase his arsenal of pass-rush moves, and use his versatility to be an incredible value selection.

SB Nation’s J.P. Acosta

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Bucs’ EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a free agent this offseason, and the Bucs have not been able to generate much pass rush. Walker is a versatile guy who has played off ball as well, but his bend and speed off the edge make him a nice fit in Todd Bowles’ defense.