Lots of chatter about moving back, but isn't that a bit at odds with a deep draft? Maybe not
Its also at odds with the fact that most info from analysts who speak with NFL sources - a lot of teams would like to move back - but there may be a diminished amount of bad teams with high 2nd round picks that see value in moving up.Lots of chatter about moving back, but isn't that a bit at odds with a deep draft? Maybe not
But hey, anything could happen.
Here's a scenario. Giants are reportedly conflicted internally about Sanders. Let's say the take Carter at 3. Pittsburgh at 21 is considered the floor for Sanders. I would love to go from 19 to 34 and pick up the Giants 2026 #1.
Lance Zierlein
Draft Analyst
I would like to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade up from No. 19 overall to Pick 5, 6 or 7 and target Jalon Walker from Georgia. Now, they don’t have additional draft picks this year, so it could sting a little bit to come all the way up from 19, but this would be a fun trade because the Bucs need an off-ball linebacker and more pass-rush help. Walker is a hybrid player who can offer some of both
Here are the odds for the Top 10 picks, via DraftKings:
1. Titans: Miami quarterback Cam Ward is an overwhelming -20,000 favorite.
2. Browns: Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is a -350 favorite.
3. Giants: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is a -300 favorite.
4. Patriots LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is a -225 favorite.
5. Jaguars: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is a -130 favorite.
6. Raiders: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is a -125 favorite.
7. Jets: Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is a -115 favorite.
8. Panthers: Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is the most likely pick at +150.
9. Saints: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the most likely pick at +200.
10. Bears: Jeanty is the most likely pick at +300.
More outside takes
"Solak noted that if the horrid play of inside linebackers last year (not named “Lavonte David”) doesn’t tip off the Bucs to attack that area in the draft, then there’s a bigger problem at One Buc Palace than just inside linebacker.
However, Solak noted, a combination of a thin pool at the top of the draft for an inside linebacker, especially if Jihaad Campbell’s shoulder is worse than believed, should drive the Bucs to load up on safety.
If the Buccaneers cannot get off of 19 and don’t trust Campbell’s shoulder, they should fill their defensive backfield. Cornerback Jahdae Barron (Texas) is an ideal Todd Bowles defensive back: inside and out versatility, highly instinctive and productive in zone coverage, successful tackling in space. He’s a bit redundant with 2024 third-rounder Tykee Smith, who had a lovely rookie season, but that’s the thing about blitz-heavy defenses like Bowles’ — you want redundant players to make it harder for opposing offenses to diagnose who is doing what."
Yeah I'm a hard pass on Campbell at this point. So naturally he will be the pick
I am not against Campbell being drafted because if he has to sit a year and learn that is perfectly fine. I do not see Campbell beating out Dennis, LVD, Walker or Jones as a rookie anyways. From those four Bucs ILBs three of them have a lot of NFL experience and Dennis provides the ability to hit gaps, pass coverage and rush the passer like Campbell could possibly provide (if healthy).
So the thing with Campbell is that people are overrating him and overhyping him like he is he second coming of Vilma but he is pretty solid but I wouldn't project him to be an all pro or elite player.
Edgerrin Cooper was the first ILB off the board last year at pick #45 to Green Bay. So if Campbell can be as productive as Cooper was a rookie at some point in his NFL career that would make him a solid LB.
I am not against Campbell being drafted because if he has to sit a year and learn that is perfectly fine. I do not see Campbell beating out Dennis, LVD, Walker or Jones as a rookie anyways. From those four Bucs ILBs three of them have a lot of NFL experience and Dennis provides the ability to hit gaps, pass coverage and rush the passer like Campbell could possibly provide (if healthy).
So the thing with Campbell is that people are overrating him and overhyping him like he is he second coming of Vilma but he is pretty solid but I wouldn't project him to be an all pro or elite player.
Edgerrin Cooper was the first ILB off the board last year at pick #45 to Green Bay. So if Campbell can be as productive as Cooper was a rookie at some point in his NFL career that would make him a solid LB.
He's a win now day 1 starter player at LB. Sitting him a year when we have a small window with vets like David and Evans?
Hard hard hard hard pass
While I’d hate to go into the season with a 14 year vet, and his heir apparent that can’t stay on the field… I think a pick like Maliki Starks makes a lot of sense. Not sexy, but smart.
But one of the Joe’s over at JBF says he’s heard a lot of non-Buccaneer NFL types linking Jihaad Cambell to the Bucs… really think it depends on who is available.
Yeah I'm a hard pass on Campbell at this point. So naturally he will be the pick
hahaha. life of a Bucs fan
I think a pick like Maliki Starks makes a lot of sense.
Collinsworth cranked out his own mock draft this week and chose University of Georgia safety Malaki Starks for the Bucs at No. 19 overall.
I am not against Campbell being drafted
at 19?
I think your example is 45
I dont know enough about his uninjured talent level, but you'd think most Bucs 1st round picks lately are starting and the recent guys who were questionable as starters were JTS and Hall.
I think a pick like Maliki Starks makes a lot of sense.
Collinsworth cranked out his own mock draft this week and chose University of Georgia safety Malaki Starks for the Bucs at No. 19 overall.
This is what I'm talking about when I said picks 15-30 are all the same and if Tet is there you take him.
Does a safety really make us better? Really? Even if he's a stud idk... Smith can play safety, so we move him back to slot?
I'm not saying that doesn't bolster our secondary or make us better. It clearly does and is better than trotting out depth players like Izien.
But long term a player let Tet will make us infinitely better
