The Bucs have known their 2025 opponents since the 2024 season ended. But with the schedule release on Wednesday, they now know when they’ll see each of these opponents as well as what time those games will kickoff.

Schedule release day is always one of the most exciting days of the offseason, as it gives everyone a chance to look ahead to the actual matchups they’ll see on a week-to-week basis. Not only that, but now we know when the Bucs will be matching up with some of the premier rookies in the NFL. So, let’s revisit Tampa Bay’s schedule through that lens and highlight some of the top draft picks on their 2025 slate.

Week 1: Bucs at Falcons

The Falcons didn’t have all that many draft picks to work with, but they used four of them on help for their defense. The biggest surprise last year was the team selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round rather than addressing their need for an edge rusher. Well, this year, they drafted Georgia’s Jalon Walker with their first pick before trading a first-round pick next year to jump back into the first round for the selection of Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. 

Atlanta also added two more playmakers to an already talented back end of the defense, first drafting Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts in the third round before adding Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr. in the fourth.

Falcons LB/edge rusher Jalon Walker – Photo by: USA Today

Week 2: Bucs at Texans

The 2025 Texans’ offense will look a lot like 2024 Iowa State’s, as Houston added both of the Cyclones wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft. The first was the big-bodied Jayden Higgins, who was the team’s second-round pick after a 1,000-yard campaign in 2024. Then, after adding Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery later in the second round, the Texans went back to the Iowa State well by drafting the speedy Jaylin Noel, who also had a 1,000-yard season last year.

Houston also added another big-time producer to its offense in running back Woody Marks, a USC product who was drafted in the fourth round. Marks ran for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns for the Trojans in 2024 and now joins a talented backfield that already features Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.

Week 3: Bucs vs. Jets

The Jets didn’t necessarily have a splashy draft, but they filled some key needs. When Aaron Glenn’s new team comes to Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay will match up with first-round offensive tackle Armand Membou, as well as second-round tight end Mason Taylor out of LSU. Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, a third-round pick, is another one of the marquee players in the Jets’ 2025 draft class.

In addition to Thomas, two more players have a chance to have something of a homecoming to the state where they played their collegiate ball should they make the New York roster. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and edge rusher Tyler Baron both finished their college careers at Miami and were drafted in the fifth round, just 14 picks apart.

Week 4: Bucs vs. Eagles

Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell – Photo by: USA Today

The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles spent their first five draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. So, when Philadelphia makes its fifth trip to Tampa Bay since January of 2022, Vic Fangio’s defense is going to have plenty of rookies both in impact and depth roles. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell was the Eagles’ first-round pick, then they went with Texas safety Andrew Mukuba, Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson, UCF cornerback Mac McWilliams and Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. with their next four selections.

In particular, the additions of Campbell and Mondon are interesting for the Eagles, who have a linebacking corps that already consists of All-Pro Zach Baun, Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Week 5: Bucs at Seahawks

The Seahawks’ top pick was North Dakota State offensive tackle Grey Zabel, who in a lot of ways was born to be a Buccaneer offensive lineman. Tampa Bay will see him in Week 5, along with second-round safety Nick Emmanwori. Miami running back Damien Martinez is another potential contributor for Seattle, but perhaps the biggest point of intrigue will be at quarterback.

Of course, the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold in the offseason, so he’s likely to be under center for this matchup with the Bucs. However, Seattle spent a third-round pick on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, so there’s at least a chance he might be in the mix if Darnold falters or happens to be banged up that week.

Week 6: Bucs vs. 49ers

Georgia OLB Mykel Williams Photo By: USA Today

The 49ers will be visiting the Bucs for the second straight season, and it’ll be the fourth straight year the two teams will meet. San Francisco had a whopping 11 draft picks, with the first five coming on defense. Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams highlights that group, along with Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins, Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin and Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout.

General manager John Lynch didn’t completely ignore the offense, though. He added Oregon running back Jordan James, a former backfield mate of Bucs star Bucky Irving, as well as Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins.

Week 7: Bucs at Lions

The Bucs and Lions will both have their sights on NFC glory in 2025, and they’ll both have some impressive draft classes looking to make an early impact on the road to that glory. Defensively, Detroit will be looking for some juice out of first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State. A key figure on the Buckeyes’ national championship team last year, Williams had 11.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss to his name over his four-year career in college.

Georgia guard Tate Ratledge was the Lions’ next pick, and he figures to slot right in at right guard as a rookie. And as if Detroit’s wide receiving corps wasn’t already stacked enough, the team went with Arkansas’ Isaac TeSlaa in the third round. He’s fresh off a season in which he averaged 19.5 yards per catch.

Week 8: Bucs at Saints

New Saints QB Tyler Shough Photo by: USA Today

When the Bucs renew their rivalry with the Saints, they might be seeing a new quarterback. With Derek Carr’s retirement, all signs are pointing toward second-round pick Tyler Shough taking the reins, though he’ll face competition from Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Shough’s college journey took him from Oregon to Texas Tech to Louisville, and now he might be next in line under center for New Orleans.

Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, Virginia safety Jonas Sanker, Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman and Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley were all picked in the top four rounds as well, and each should have a chance to make an early impression. Keep an eye on Kansas running back Devin Neal, a sixth-round pick, as well.

Week 9: BYE WEEK

Week 10: Bucs vs. Patriots

The top draft pick the Bucs will face in 2025 comes to town when the Patriots visit in Week 10. That is No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell, an offensive tackle out of LSU. But there are quite a few big-name rookies beyond Campbell in New England’s class, which was ranked by NFL.com as the league’s best.  Second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson out of Ohio State will be a tough test for the Tampa Bay defense, as will Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, a third-rounder.

Cal safety Craig Woodson (fourth round), Florida State defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and LSU edge rusher Bradyn Swinson make up a trio of rookies on the Patriots defense, while sixth-round kicker Andres Borregales will be in town to face his brother Jose’s former team.

Week 11: Bucs at Bills

Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston Photo by: USA Today

Bucs-Bills was already going to be a marquee matchup in 2025 given that both teams are on postseason appearance streaks, with Tampa Bay’s at five years and Buffalo’s at six. But one of the Bills’ top picks will make this matchup even more interesting given the pre-draft buzz around him. There was some thought that Tampa Bay might be interested in Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston when it came to the No. 19 pick. But the Bucs passed and instead drafted Emeka Egbuka. Hairston then went to the Bills with the No. 30 pick.

Buffalo also added some impressive pass rushers in the 2025 Draft, spending its three picks after Hairston on South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson and Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker. That trio of SEC defenders combined for 30.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

Week 12: Bucs at Rams

When the Bucs head out west to SoFi Stadium, they’ll be facing a 2025 Rams draft class that might lack the high-end star power that last year’s had. Their top pick was second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon, while Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart was their next pick in the third round. Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter was their fourth-rounder, and one more potential player of note will be Ole Miss linebacker Pooh Paul Jr., a fifth-round pick who many Bucs fans had eyes on throughout draft weekend.

There are some solid prospects in Los Angeles’ class, but it’ll perhaps be more noteworthy that Tampa Bay will be matching up with the stars of the Rams’ 2024 class for the first time. Florida State’s Jared Verse (4.5 sacks as a rookie) and Braden Fiske (team-high 8.5 sacks as a rookie) headlined that group, while Miami safety Kamren Kitchens tied for a team-high four interceptions last year. Sixth-round kicker Joshua Karty out of Stanford also had a strong rookie campaign in 2024.

Week 13: Bucs vs. Cardinals

When the Cardinals come to Raymond James Stadium for the first time since 2019, they’ll be bringing two intriguing rookie defenders along with them. Up front, they have Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who was the No. 16 pick in the 2025 Draft, and in the secondary, Arizona has second-round cornerback Will Johnson out of Michigan.

The Cardinals went heavy on defense in the draft, so even beyond Nolen and Johnson, the rest of their rookie class features the likes of Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch, Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon, Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke and Nevada safety Kitan Crawford.

Week 14: Bucs vs. Saints

It’ll be interesting to see how the story unfolds for second-round quarterback Tyler Shough. If he wasn’t the starter by the time the Saints and Bucs met the first time, will he be under center by the time the rematch comes around? If he was the starter for the first matchup, will he still be the guy for the return trip?

Week 15: Bucs vs. Falcons

The rematch with the Falcons will obviously feature a rematch of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. – this time with more experience under their belts – against All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke. And as an added bonus, it’ll come in primetime on Thursday Night Football.

Week 16: Bucs at Panthers

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs will get their first look at a stacked Panthers draft class in Week 16, when Carolina hosts Tampa Bay. The class is headlined by No. 8 overall pick Tetairoa McMillan, a big-bodied receiver out of Arizona who is coming off back-to-back seasons with 1,300+ receiving yards. He’ll presumably step right in as Bryce Young’s new No. 1 wide receiver, and he’s someone who Tampa Bay’s secondary will have to become very familiar with in the coming years. Former Florida and Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, a fourth-round pick, also figures to be in the mix for the Carolina offense early on.

The Panthers defense also got a boost with the selections of Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton in the second round and Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen in the third round.

Week 17: Bucs at Dolphins

When the Bucs make the short trip down to Miami, they’ll face a team with newly upgraded trenches on both sides of the ball. The Dolphins selected Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 overall pick in April, then flipped to the offensive line in the second round with the selection of Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea. They weren’t done upgrading their defensive line, though, as they then flipped back and drafted Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips with their next pick, which came in the fifth round.

Miami also took some shots at two high-profile college stars, first drafting Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, a 1,700-yard, 21-touchdown rusher in 2023, in the sixth round. Then, they took a flyer on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round, just four picks before the Bucs selected Tez Johnson.

Week 18: Bucs vs. Panthers

Tampa Bay will once again match up with the Tetairoa McMillan-led Carolina rookie class in Week 18. This time, it’ll be in Tampa. It could be a homecoming of sorts if sixth-round wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. sticks on the roster. While Horn finished his college career at Colorado, he started it at USF, playing his home games at Raymond James Stadium in 2021 and 2022.