This is my official 2025 Buccaneers mock draft. Don't underestimate Jason Licht! I used PFN mock draft simulator and used Draft Tek trade value chart to find trades that were roughly legit. I like the Green Bay trade down that a previous poster mocked, so I'll go with that. But Licht is not done yet. He's moving back up to the top of the 2nd round!
Trade - Bucs trade pick 19 and 157 to Green Bay for picks 23 and 87.
Pick 23. Malaki Starks S Georgia
Starks can start immediately at safety and leave Tykee Smith at the slot corner. Starks will have a learning curve, but he'll make an immediate impact in both the running and passing defense.
Trade - Bucs trade pick 53 and 84 to Tennesee for pick 35.
Pick 35. Donovan Ezeiruaku EDGE Boston College
Licht watches carefully as the undersized but skilled and high character Ezeiruaku slips into early round 2 and he pounces quickly when the opportunity arises.
87. Demetrius Knight Jr. LB South Carolina
Knight fulfills the desperate need for help at linebacker. He has the potential to fulfill that all important signal caller role once you know who retires.
121. Bru McCoy WR Tennessee.
Could be the stea of the draft for the Bucs. In 2024 McCoy was ramping back up from injury along with bad QB play. Good size, hands, physicality, football IQ, and blocking. What more could you ask for?
Pick 235 (or trade up). Robert Longerbeam CB Rutgers.
You can't fill every need in the draft. In this case the cornerback position gets overlooked. Not sure that Longerbeam or any useful CB will be around in the 7th. I could see the Bucs trying to move back into the 4th or 5th round if they see a cornerback they like. But at the end of the day if you are counting on the draft to fill every need you'll be disappointed. Somethings gotta give. If it's not CB it will be Edge or LB that people will be moaning about after this draft. In my prediction, the Bucs don't "cover all the bases" in this draft and only get legit future starters and two out of those three positions.
In this case the cornerback position gets overlooked.
Interesting question whether CB is the position that could be overlooked.
Its possible Dean stays on the field all season with his next contract in mind and we do have some more depth. And maybe better S play and ILB play helps.
Not sure
Positionally, you’re on the right track, and bringing in the right WR wouldn’t be that bad…for the right one (not sure this is).This is my official 2025 Buccaneers mock draft. Don't underestimate Jason Licht! I used PFN mock draft simulator and used Draft Tek trade value chart to find trades that were roughly legit. I like the Green Bay trade down that a previous poster mocked, so I'll go with that. But Licht is not done yet. He's moving back up to the top of the 2nd round!
Trade - Bucs trade pick 19 and 157 to Green Bay for picks 23 and 87.
Pick 23. Malaki Starks S Georgia
Starks can start immediately at safety and leave Tykee Smith at the slot corner. Starks will have a learning curve, but he'll make an immediate impact in both the running and passing defense.
Trade - Bucs trade pick 53 and 84 to Tennesee for pick 35.
Pick 35. Donovan Ezeiruaku EDGE Boston College
Licht watches carefully as the undersized but skilled and high character Ezeiruaku slips into early round 2 and he pounces quickly when the opportunity arises.
87. Demetrius Knight Jr. LB South Carolina
Knight fulfills the desperate need for help at linebacker. He has the potential to fulfill that all important signal caller role once you know who retires.
121. Bru McCoy WR Tennessee.
Could be the stea of the draft for the Bucs. In 2024 McCoy was ramping back up from injury along with bad QB play. Good size, hands, physicality, football IQ, and blocking. What more could you ask for?
Pick 235 (or trade up). Robert Longerbeam CB Rutgers.
You can't fill every need in the draft. In this case the cornerback position gets overlooked. Not sure that Longerbeam or any useful CB will be around in the 7th. I could see the Bucs trying to move back into the 4th or 5th round if they see a cornerback they like. But at the end of the day if you are counting on the draft to fill every need you'll be disappointed. Somethings gotta give. If it's not CB it will be Edge or LB that people will be moaning about after this draft. In my prediction, the Bucs don't "cover all the bases" in this draft and only get legit future starters and two out of those three positions.
but I think the CB depth starts falling off rapidly after the 3rd round. Would not overlook it this long.
Oh, and I doubt Ez lasts till #35.
indont doubt that some draft simulators rate his value there - but some aren’t updated - and teams picking after #19 will likely take him off the board.
I could see this being reversed and EZ going with the Bucs at 23 and picking a DB in the 2nd round. It's a bit fuzzy. PFF has him ranked 16th on their big board, but say he's the perfect Day 2 prospect:Oh, and I doubt Ez lasts till #35.
indont doubt that some draft simulators rate his value there - but some aren’t updated - and teams picking after #19 will likely take him off the board.
Ezeiruaku is a smaller outside linebacker-type edge rusher who can struggle with the power aspects of the game. However, his quick, smooth style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 pass rush type of defender to draft on Day 2.
PFN has him 37th on their big board. Walter Football had him going 39th in a recent Draft Goals Mock. Draft Buzz has him 52nd on their draft board. Draftek has him 23rd on their board. Jeremiah 25. So he could go first round, but it's not a lock.
countdown to Thursday!Draft can't happen soon enough!
I LOVE the lead up to the draft. Interesting to learn each of the many picks - and seeing value rise & fall with specific draft analysts - as well as how the estimation of current roster and the evolution of my thought these past few weeks.
I feel I have a better understanding of our team - and think I can see the draft strategy - it has me excited. We’ll see if I fell for the hype or if it plays out.
Great part of the off-season.
@catherder - agree. EZ isn’t falling out of the first round.
Great part of the off-season.
Agree
So many posters here following it closely and even running their own mocks. I enjoy reading all the posts.
just me but the 2nd through 4th rounds are the most interesting because the performance swings are so wide. I think we've drafted both LVD and Ronde Barber in the 60s. I am sure we've also had some really large misses in the 60s.
Yes the run up to the draft is overemphasized, but it's fun. The rookies will hopefully contribute, but if your team is counting on rookies to make the difference between winning and losing they will probably be doing the latter (except for Jayden Daniels). My mock draft will probably be totally wrong as will most others expert and amateur alike. But it's fun to try.countdown to Thursday!Draft can't happen soon enough!
I LOVE the lead up to the draft. Interesting to learn each of the many picks - and seeing value rise & fall with specific draft analysts - as well as how the estimation of current roster and the evolution of my thought these past few weeks.
I feel I have a better understanding of our team - and think I can see the draft strategy - it has me excited. We’ll see if I fell for the hype or if it plays out.
Great part of the off-season.
Stroud thinks it's Campbell
Bucs writer Rick Stroud of TampaBay.com implied Licht might be open to a civil suit from fans if he doesn’t take inside linebacker seriously in this week’s draft.
“It may be malpractice not to address the inside linebacker position in this draft. Then again, David may continue to defy the norms,” Stroud wrote in a story that also says the Bucs “must address inside linebacker.”
He also wrote: “It’s reasonable to assume [the Bucs] will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
Licht doesn't operate like that. If Campbell's injury is minor, then I could see the Bucs taking him, but reports are Campbell won't be ready for training camp and maybe not even ready for Week 1. OTAs and training camp is huge for Bowles when it comes to rookies, so Campbell's season would basically be a wash.Stroud thinks it's Campbell
Bucs writer Rick Stroud of TampaBay.com implied Licht might be open to a civil suit from fans if he doesn’t take inside linebacker seriously in this week’s draft.
“It may be malpractice not to address the inside linebacker position in this draft. Then again, David may continue to defy the norms,” Stroud wrote in a story that also says the Bucs “must address inside linebacker.”
He also wrote: “It’s reasonable to assume [the Bucs] will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
Licht doesn't operate like that. If Campbell's injury is minor, then I could see the Bucs taking him, but reports are Campbell won't be ready for training camp and maybe not even ready for Week 1. OTAs and training camp is huge for Bowles when it comes to rookies, so Campbell's season would basically be a wash.Stroud thinks it's Campbell
Bucs writer Rick Stroud of TampaBay.com implied Licht might be open to a civil suit from fans if he doesn’t take inside linebacker seriously in this week’s draft.
“It may be malpractice not to address the inside linebacker position in this draft. Then again, David may continue to defy the norms,” Stroud wrote in a story that also says the Bucs “must address inside linebacker.”
He also wrote: “It’s reasonable to assume [the Bucs] will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
definitely get your point. Stroud's opinion not reporting, although he is usually in the know. Called the Coen thing early, maybe first
If the Campbell injury isn't that serious so that he could participate in training camp, then that would obviously change things. If the Bucs know that it's not in their interest to advertise it. Some mocks have Campbell going as high as 10th or so.Licht doesn't operate like that. If Campbell's injury is minor, then I could see the Bucs taking him, but reports are Campbell won't be ready for training camp and maybe not even ready for Week 1. OTAs and training camp is huge for Bowles when it comes to rookies, so Campbell's season would basically be a wash.Stroud thinks it's Campbell
Bucs writer Rick Stroud of TampaBay.com implied Licht might be open to a civil suit from fans if he doesn’t take inside linebacker seriously in this week’s draft.
“It may be malpractice not to address the inside linebacker position in this draft. Then again, David may continue to defy the norms,” Stroud wrote in a story that also says the Bucs “must address inside linebacker.”
He also wrote: “It’s reasonable to assume [the Bucs] will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
definitely get your point. Stroud's opinion not reporting, although he is usually in the know. Called the Coen thing early, maybe first
