This has been the wildest Bucs offseason in team history. Tampa Bay saw Tom Brady’s sudden unretirement on the eve of free agency – only to be followed by Bruce Arians’ sudden retirement two weeks later. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles took over as the head coach as Arians’ hand-picked replacement.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Despite the coaching change, the Bucs are considered to be a legit contender for another Super Bowl run. Brady has been instrumental in helping Tampa Bay re-sign its best players this offseason, in addition to helping the Bucs acquire some more talent.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and vice president of business administration Mike Greenberg were busy this offseason. They re-signed franchise player Chris Godwin and several key veterans. Cornerback Carlton Davis III, center Ryan Jensen, running back Leonard Fournette and defensive end Will Gholston are all important core players.

The Bucs also added some veteran free agents. First among them was Atlanta’s Russell Gage as the team’s No. 3 receiver. That addition, plus Godwin’s return and the re-signing of Breshad Perriman, lessens Tampa Bay’s need at wide receiver.

The Gage move was followed by a trade for right guard Shaq Mason and the signings of defensive back Logan Ryan and safety Keanu Neal. Mason will replace Alex Cappa, who left for Cincinnati in free agency. Neal is expected to replace Whitehead at strong safety.

With the NFL Scouting Combine is over and pro days are winding down, Licht, Bowles, director of college scouting Mike Biehl and vice president of player personnel John Spytek are setting up the Bucs’ 2022 draft board. Tampa Bay traded away a fifth-round pick for Mason and didn’t have a sixth-rounder this year. But the team picked up a seventh-round compensatory pick.

Let’s take a look at Tampa Bay’s personnel needs following the season, and who the Bucs select in Pewter Report’s final 2022 Bucs 7-Round Mock Draft of the year. With the offense reloaded this offseason, this could be a defensive-laden draft for the Bucs, especially in the early rounds.

Bucs’ Personnel Needs

Interior Defensive Line

Bucs DT Ndamukong Suh and QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs re-signed Gholston, but have yet to re-sign Ndamukong Suh. He has indicated he wants to play another season. After back-to-back years with six sacks, Tampa Bay would welcome the 35-year old’s return with open arms. This year’s crop of defensive tackles in free agency and the NFL Draft is weak, so getting Suh back would be a coup. The Bucs could use some more youth at the position, especially if 36-year old reserve Steve McLendon retires or doesn’t return. Finding the right defensive tackle will be tricky, and will probably have to be done early.

Tight End

The Bucs have yet to re-sign Rob Gronkowski, although the team is hopeful he’ll return for one more year. Cam Brate will stick around after a pay cut, and the Bucs have Codey McElroy back from the practice squad. But Tampa Bay could use some new blood at the position. Finding a tight end that can block and catch is a must. The good news is that this year’s draft is fairly deep at the position.

Running Back

Tampa Bay re-signed Fournette to a three-year contract worth $7 million per season. That ensures that he’s the starter and takes less pressure off drafting a running back. Giovani Bernard was also re-signed to help out on third downs as a pass-catcher. With Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a former third-round pick, and Kenjon Barner on the roster, the Bucs will need to add one more back for depth and competition. Look for the Bucs to draft one as it’s a fairly deep class. Whoever Tampa Bay drafts, that back must be a factor in the passing game as a receiver and a protector.

Safety

Bucs S Keanu Neal – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs have one of the best young safeties in the game in Antoine Winfield, Jr., who mostly plays free safety. Neal will be the immediate replacement for Whitehead, who was signed in free agency by the Jets. Mike Edwards will rotate in with Neal, as he’s never played strong safety full time. Edwards is also in a contract year, so Tampa Bay will have to draft a safety for depth regardless. The Bucs have told long-time reserve Andrew Adams that they are moving on from him. The Bucs signed Logan Ryan to a one-year deal to add some veteran depth. He can play safety in addition to nickel cornerback and will bring experience and leadership to the room.

Cornerback

The return of Davis is huge because he is Tampa Bay’s top cover corner. It also means the team’s top three cornerbacks will be back for another season. Jamel Dean had his best year, although he fought through injuries. Sean Murphy-Bunting missed half the season due to injury and was unspectacular when he returned. Injuries hit the cornerback position hard. With Dean and Murphy-Bunting in a contract year, it only makes sense that the Bucs add a young, developmental cornerback to the group for depth and competition. There are several tall, long cornerbacks that fit the Bucs’ mold in this draft, which is a good sign for Tampa Bay.

Guard

The Bucs lost Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet to retirement and Cappa in free agency. Tampa Bay traded for Mason to replace Cappa, but still needs to find a replacement for Marpet. Over the past few years the Bucs have stockpiled the guard position. Top reserve Aaron Stinnie returns on a one-year, prove-it deal. He will compete with young reserve Nick Leverett, whom the team is high on. Last year’s third-round pick Robert Hainsey, a backup center, will also join the fray to compete for the left guard job. Sadarius Hutcherson and John Molchon are also options to compete. Drafting a guard is not a necessity with Mason’s arrival. However, if one of the top guards like Boston College’s Zion Johnson, Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green or Memphis’ Dylan Parham are available and the top option on the Bucs’ draft board, the team could pull the trigger.

2022 FINAL Bucs 7-Round Mock Draft

ROUND 1 – Houston DL Logan Hall
6-6, 283 • Senior

Hall might be a surprise name in the first round for the Bucs, but he could be the pick if they want a defensive tackle and Georgia’s Devonte Wyatt is off the board. Tampa Bay met with Hall at the NFL Scouting Combine and also had him in for a Top 30 visit at the team facility. The Bucs obviously like him, and his stock is on the rise after a good postseason showing at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Trading back a few spots to pick up an extra mid-round pick and landing Hall in the early second round would be ideal. But if general manager Jason Licht can’t trade back and is forced to stick and pick, it could be Hall at No. 27

Bruce Arians said at the Combine that the Bucs wanted a quicker tackle that could rush the passer next to Vita Vea. Hall ran a 4.88 in the 40-yard dash, which is in the 90th percentile, according to MockDraftable.com. His 1.68 10-yard split ranked in the 83rd percentile. The Cougars star’s 20-yard shuttle time was 4.44 (85th percentile). Hall’s three-cone drill time was 7.25 (90th percentile). Athletically, he checks the boxes.

Hall added nearly 20 pounds from his college playing weight of 265 and he has more room to grow in the NFL. What makes Hall even more intriguing than a player like Wyatt is his versatility. He’s projected to be a 4-3 defensive end because of his 6-foot-6, 283-pound frame. Think of New Orleans’ Marcus Davenport (6-6, 265) and Cameron Jordan (6-4, 287). But Hall spent most of his days with Cougars as a three technique defensive tackle.

Hall could add another 10 pounds of mass and muscle and be close to 300 pounds like Will Gholston, who moves around Tampa Bay’s 3-4 defense. Gholston will turn 31 this year and is on a one-year deal. Eventually he needs to be replaced, just like the 35-year old Suh, who is expected to be re-signed. Given Hall’s position flexibility he can rotate in for both Gholston and Suh as a rookie and then replace one as a starter next year.

HALL’S HOUSTON CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2018: 14 tackles, 3 TFLs, FF
2019: 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
2020: 23 tackles, 2 TFLs, sack, PBU
2021: 47 tackles, 13 TFLs, 6 sacks

Hall’s birthday was April 22 and he just turned 22. He’s two full years younger than Wyatt, who turned 24 on March 31. Hall had seven career sacks at Houston, which was two more than Wyatt had in his career at Georgia. Hall had a career-high six sacks last year as part of the Cougars’ Sack Avenue defensive line. Wyatt had a career-high 2.5 sacks playing on Georgia’s vaunted defensive front.

Because Todd Bowles also likes to mix things up, Hall has the size and length to also play outside linebacker. Anthony Nelson is 6-foot-6, 271 pounds. And even Vea has lined up on the edge of the defensive front in some situations to give opposing offensive lines a different look.

With his frame, athleticism, senior year production, Hall gives Bowles a versatile defensive lineman that can help the Bucs in a multitude of ways. His ability to stop the run on the way to the passer is key because run defense is a priority for Bowles. Hall earned a 78 run grade from Pro Football Focus and an 84.9 pass rush grade in 2022.

ROUND 2 – Colorado State TE Trey McBride
6-4, 246 • Senior

Aside from defensive tackle, the gaping hole in the Bucs’ starting lineup is at tight end. The Bucs only have Cameron Brate and Codey McElroy on the roster at this time. Tampa Bay is hoping that Rob Gronkowski will ultimately re-sign with the Bucs for one more season. But the future Hall of Famer has been non-committal.

Even if Gronkowski, who turns 33 in May, returns, it will only be for one more season. Brate turns 31 in July, so the Bucs could use a youth movement at the tight end position. McBride is considered to be the No. 1 tight end on many teams’ draft boards. Don’t be surprised if the Bucs consider taking him at No. 27 – or trading up to get him in the second round after selecting Hall. McBride addition gives Tom Brady another tremendous weapon in the passing game.

The 2021 John Mackey Award winner led the nation at his position with 90 catches for 1,121 yards (12.5 avg.) and one touchdown last year. Even though opponents knew McBride was going to get the ball he still couldn’t be stopped. McBride had eight 100-yard receiving games in college, including five last year.

McBRIDE’S COLORADO STATE CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2018: 7 catches for 89 yards (12.7 avg.), TD
2019: 45 catches for 560 yards (12.4 avg.), 4 TDs
2020: 22 catches for 330 yards (15 avg.), 4 TDs
2021: 90 catches for 1,121 yards (12.5 avg.), TD

McBride has great hands and incredible focus when catching the ball – even in traffic. He has good yards-after-catch ability due to his 4.52 speed. McBride is a willing and determined blocker who will only get better with more coaching, technique work and weight room strength.

After ending his Colorado State career with a 69-yard touchdown run on a fake punt in his last game, McBride caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown at the Senior Bowl. The Bucs had him on their Top 30 visit list this offseason and did a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. McBride is a hard-working, humble, no-nonsense type of guy that Todd Bowles will love. His Midwestern roots and work ethic will appeal to general manager Jason Licht.

ROUND 3 – Nebraska CB Cam Taylor-Britt
5-11, 207 • Junior • 4.38

The Bucs go back to the defensive side of the ball in the third round with the selection of Taylor-Britt. Jason Licht has drafted seven defensive backs on Day 2 during his tenure as GM, including cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Mike Edwards in 2019. Just put on the tape and you’ll see why Taylor-Britt is a Bucs cornerback.

Taylor-Britt is a thick, muscular cornerback that plays with tremendous physicality. He’s a violent tackler with big-play ability. Taylor-Britt recorded five interceptions and broke up 22 passes at Nebraska. He also forced four fumbles during the 2019 season.

As a three-year starter, he gave up a total of six touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Taylor-Britt played outside cornerback for 659 snaps last year and 428 snaps in 2020. Yet he showed off versatility in 2019, playing 170 snaps in the slot, 108 snaps at outside cornerback, 105 snaps in the box and 148 snaps deep at safety.

TAYLOR-BRITT’S NEBRASKA CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2018: 12 tackles, 3 PBUs, FR
2019: 49 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 PBUs, 4 FFs, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs, TD
2020: 28 tackles, 3 TFLs, 4 PBUs, 2 INTs
2021: 51 tackles, 3 TFLs, 11 PBUs, sack, INT

Taylor-Britt has some position flexibility to play outside and inside. While he’s not the ideal, long, 6-foot-1 cornerback like Carlton Davis III or Jamel Dean, Taylor-Britt plays like a big corner. The Bucs have another 5-foot-11, 200-pound cornerback on the roster in Dee Delaney. Taylor-Britt actually has longer arms (31 1/4) than 6-foot-2 LSU cornerback Derek Stingley (30 5/8) and 6-foot-1 Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (30 7/8).

He is lauded at Nebraska for his work ethic and vocal leadership. Taylor-Britt was voted as a team captain during his final season. He’s on Tampa Bay’s list for a Top 30 pre-draft visit.

With the versatility to play both inside and outside cornerback, he could push Sean Murphy-Bunting for playing time in the slot. And with Murphy-Bunting and Dean both in a contract year, Taylor-Britt gives the Bucs another young, developmental cornerback that can be a possible starter in 2023.

ROUND 4 – Arizona State RB Rachaad White
6-0, 214 • Senior

The Bucs are looking for an all-around running back that can run and catch the ball, and White fits the bill. At 6-foot, 214 pounds, White has a similar running style to Leonard Fournette – although not as big – and Le’Veon Bell. He’s a patient runner with solid vision and sneaky, deceptive speed. White is fast enough to accelerate through the holes and turn the corner at the next level when he hits the gas.

White showed promise in the four games he played in during his first season at Arizona State in a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. He averaged 10 yards per carry before becoming the workhorse back for the Sun Devils as a senior. In 2021, White ran for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Yet he was even more impressive as a receiver, catching 43 passes for 456 yards and a healthy 10.6 average.

Prior to transferring to Arizona State, White had a successful career at Mt. San Antonio College in 2018-10. He rushed for 1,264 yards as a sophomore, averaging 6.4 yards a carry and scoring 10 touchdowns.

WHITE’S ARIZONA STATE CAREER RUSHING STATS
2020: 42 carries for 420 yards (10 avg.), 5 TDs
2021: 182 carries for 1,000 yards (5.5 avg.), 15 TDs

WHITE’S ARIZONA STATE CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2020: 8 rec. for 158 yards (18.9 avg.), TD
2021: 43 rec. for 456 yards (10.6 avg.), TD

White had four 100-yard rushing games at Arizona State, including back-to-back games of 202 yards and 184 yards in wins against USC and Washington, respectively. He totaled five rushing TDs in those two games. White also had three games last year in which he ran for 90-plus yards, but didn’t hit 100 yards.

The Sun Devils star tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine where he had a formal interview with the Bucs. White ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump. Tampa Bay had him in for a Top 30 visit.

Even though the Bucs re-signed Fournette and Giovani Bernard they need another back that can be a factor in the passing game. That is one of White’s biggest strengths. While he has limited kick and punt return experience in college, White can help provide competition in that area on special teams as a rookie.

ROUND 7 – Auburn S Smoke Monday
6-2, 207 • Senior

Jason Licht loves drafting Auburn defenders. Monday will be the fourth, joining linebacker K.J. Britt and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Monday is a really versatile defender that can play in the slot in addition to playing in the box and playing deep. He’s like a taller, lankier version of Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Mike Edwards. Both of those Bucs defensive backs have similar versatility.

With Jordan Whitehead departing in free agency and Edwards entering his contract year, the Bucs could use more talent and quality depth at the safety position. Keanu Neal was signed this offseason, but only on a one-year deal. Monday’s versatility helps Tampa Bay’s secondary in numerous ways.

MONDAY’S AUBURN CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
2018: 15 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, INT
2019: 20 tackles, 2 TFLs, sack, INT, TD
2020: 73 tackles, 4 TFLs, sack, 2 INTs, TD, 3 PBUs, FF
2021: 63 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 sacks, INT, TD 5 PBUs

Monday has been a big-play machine for the Auburn defense, amassing 171 tackles, eight pass breakups and five interceptions in his career. He also has three defensive touchdowns for the Tigers, including a key pick-six in Auburn’s 48-45 Iron Bowl win over Alabama in 2019. His 100-yard pick-six against Tennessee was also a huge play in that 30-17 win.

What also appeals to Tampa Bay is how well Monday plays at the line of scrimmage. Auburn blitzed Monday out of the slot where he recorded six sacks and a forced fumble in his career. Monday also had 17 tackles for loss in his career, which is an impressive number for a defensive back. He doesn’t shy away from contact and is a big hitter.

Monday has played on all four phases of special teams at Auburn and was a standout performer. With an alpha personality, Monday brings the energy every day of the week. He does need to play with more discipline in coverage and stay away from penalties. Monday got flagged twice for targeting in 2021. That’s part of the reason why he’s a Day 3 prospect, in addition to pedestrian 4.52 speed.

ROUND 7 – Northern Iowa WR Isaiah Weston
6-3, 211 • Senior

Tampa Bay ends the 2022 NFL Draft with the selection of Weston. He’s a big, 6-foot-3, 211-pound size-speed prospect that intrigues with his 22.6-yard career receiving average. Weston is a poor man’s version of North Dakota State receiver Christian Watson. He’s a small school blazer (4.42 in the 40) that consistently blew by lesser defensive backs at the FCS level.

Weston turns 25 in October and is an older prospect, which works against him in the draft. His age, limited special teams experience and coming from the FCS level causes him to be a late Day 3 pick.

WESTON’S NORTHERN IOWA CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2017: 22 rec. for 380 yards (17.3 avg.), 5 TDs
2019: 43 rec. for 1,053 yards (24.5 avg.), 10 TDs
2020: 7 rec. for 152 yards (21.7 avg.), TD
2021: 37 rec. for 883 yards (23.9 avg.), 5 TDs

The Bucs could use another receiver to challenge the likes of Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Cyril Grayson, Jr. Tampa Bay puts an emphasis on speed and size and have used several Day 3 picks on receivers in Jason Licht’s tenure. Miller (2019) and Justin Watson (2018) are the most recent. But Licht also spent Day 3 selections on Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay in 2015, and Robert Herron in 2014.

Weston has experience playing both outside and inside as a slot receiver. He only had eight drops in college, and no more than three in any season. Weston led Northern Iowa in receiving as a sophomore and a senior. He missed the 2018 season with a torn ACL and most of the shortened 2020 campaign with other injuries.