Well, it is now officially the offseason for the Bucs after losing 23-20 to the Commanders in the Wild Card round. It was a tough, disappointing loss that will remain on the team’s minds for a while, and it also revealed just how dire some of the needs are across the roster. Whether or not the organization ousts head coach Todd Bowles, there will be plenty of changes before next season, especially on his defensive side of the ball.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When you look at what plagued Tampa Bay on Sunday night, the team could not get off the field. The Bucs  lack a No.1 pass-rusher who can be a game-changer, and while outside linebacker Yaya Diaby remains promising, he needs help. That should be the biggest priority to bolster the defense, but that is not all. The team needs to add two starting-caliber inside linebackers to shore up the middle of the field.

It was a sad sight to see Lavonte David walking off the field with an injury to close out the game, and after leaving it all on the field, the soon-to-be 35-year-old will likely hang them up. Even if he returns for a swan song, the only other linebacker who would be in the fold going into next year would be SirVocea Dennis, who has struggled with injuries in his young career.

Then, there is the secondary. Cornerback Jamel Dean cannot stay healthy. He holds his own when on the field, but he struggles mightily to be available and re-aggravated his knee at a costly time in the playoffs. It could be time to get more durable and younger while adding more of a playmaker at the cornerback position.

Safety is another area where the unit will need reinforcements. An offseason to get healthy should do Antoine Winfield Jr. some good, and Jordan Whitehead remains under contract for 2025. Still, after seeing a revolving door of players filling in due to injury, getting an upgrade over Whitehead or at least another young depth piece on the back end is much needed.

Bucs C Robert Hainsey and QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Offensively, the needs are not as large. Left guard Ben Bredeson is a pending free agent, and while he might re-sign, drafting someone to compete for a starting role with him and 2024 sixth-round pick Elijah Klein is one way to plan for the future. Center Robert Hainsey and quarterback Kyle Trask are also free agents and might want to compete to start elsewhere, so adding depth at both positions will be necessary, too.

Adding another wide receiver is another way to hedge bets even if Chris Godwin returns, which could solidify the depth chart and bump a few guys (Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller, Kameron Johnson) down the totem pole with veteran Sterling Shepard unlikely to return.

From now until the 2025 NFL Draft begins, PewterReport.com is the place to be to stay in the know with the latest news and rumors of how the Bucs will go about building for the future. For now though, with Tampa Bay’s draft order solidified and its biggest roster needs documented, here is a look at the latest mock drafts over the past week and who they have the team taking in the first round.

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner

Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell – Photo by: USA Today

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

Finding an off-ball linebacker who can rush the passer the way Campbell did this past fall would be huge for Todd Bowles defense. The 20-year old Jihaad Campbell had a monster breakout campaign that saw him rack up 11.5 tackles for loss and 106 total tackles. He’s the kind of hybrid player whom everyone is looking for nowadays.

Tankathon.com

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: East Carolina CB Shavon Revel

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Missouri WR Luther Burden III

Luther Burden III would be a luxury even if Chris Godwin departs given the play of Jalen McMillan. However, if offensive coordinator Liam Coen returns, then the offense is going to be relied upon to get them back to the playoffs next year.

NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers

No. 21 – Tampa Bay Bucs: East Carolina CB Shavon Revel

Revel’s 2024 season ended with a torn ACL in September, but his 2023 tape had him on track to be a first rounder. There simply aren’t a lot of cornerbacks at 6-2+ with his unique mirroring athleticism and ball skills in coverage.

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice And Charles McDonald

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

General manager Jason Licht does a great job of addressing current and soon-to-be holes at positions. Lavonte David is a franchise legend, but inside linebacker is looking like one of those positions in Tampa Bay. Campbell has excellent size with real two-way potential. He can get downhill in the run game, but is fluid enough to turn and run in coverage. His experience as a blitzer will also translate nicely in Todd Bowles’ defense.

Georgia S Malaki Starks – Photo by: USA Today

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia S Malaki Starks

The Buccaneers will be eyeing pass-rush upgrades, but with a lot of the top pass-rushers off the board — and with this being a deep pash-rush class in Rounds 2 and 3 — I like the idea of them forming what would likely be the most talented safety duo in the league: Starks and Antoine Winfield Jr. This season has exposed Tampa Bay’s deficiencies in the secondary.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid

No. 20 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

Campbell is the best pure off-ball linebacker in this class. His range, instincts and playmaking ability consistently stand out on tape. His five sacks this season show that he can rush off the edge, too, making him the ideal modern three-down linebacker. Campbell could slot in perfectly alongside Lavonte David and immediately replace K.J. Britt in the middle of Todd Bowles’ defense.