NFL 2025 DRAFT: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Outlook

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After what must be seen as an overall successful season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

with another NFC South title and playoff appearance, it is now time to look ahead to the 2025

NFL Draft.

What held the Bucs back this season was the defensive side of the ball, which is of great

concern as head coach Todd Bowles has banked his reputation on being an elite defensive play caller. What can be said in Bowles’ defense is that it was evident that the Bucs lacked the personnel to make Bowles’ ultra-aggressive scheme work like it has in years previous.

There are holes to fill on every level of the Bucs’ defense, with the one area the Bucs are set at is being the IDL as Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey were two of the best performers on the team this season.

The main issue with the Bucs’ defense in 2024 was their inability to create interceptions,

finishing the year with only 7. The Browns, Giants, and Jaguars were the only teams to finish

with less. Todd Bowles’ scheme relies upon forcing the opposition into mistakes and capitalizing on every chance to make an opposing quarterback pay. Unfortunately, the Bucs lacked a pass rush capable of consistently generating the necessary pressure for this scheme to excel and, on the occasion where the pressure did get there, they also lacked adequate playmakers on the backend to capitalize on these chances. Edge and Corner are two spots that desperately need to be addressed by the Bucs this offseason.

The lone position group on defense that has not been mentioned up until this point is

linebacker. This was and has been an issue ever since the Bucs’ Super Bowl run, the linebacker spot next to Lavonte David has been a complete liability for 4 seasons now and nothing has yet to be done to address it as David has been expected to cover up any and all liabilities at the position. Well, David is not getting any younger and as well as he is still playing, his age has unfortunately started to show in aspects of his game. Linebacker is another spot the Bucs should address early in the draft this year.

Offensively, the only real question marks are Chris Godwin and backup quarterback.

Godwin is obviously the much bigger concern here and will be coming off an injury next season while still garnering a large price tag this offseason. I fully expect Godwin to remain a Buccaneer as he is beloved by the locker room, management, and the community and GM Jason Licht will do what he needs to do to keep him in town. In regards to Kyle Trask, his contract is up and he has yet to see the field in any meaningful capacity. If he wants to come back for cheap, that’s great for the Bucs, if not, then draft a replacement on day 3 of the draft.

Players to be Considered

EDGE:

Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) – Every down pass rusher with intimidating size and power. Commands extra attention from opposing offensive lines and will make you pay for leaving him one on one. The exact type of presence the Bucs should be looking for opposite Yaya Diaby, will open significantly more opportunities for pressure across the line.

Josaiah Stewart (Michigan) – While undersized, Stewart more than makes up for this with his effort and tenacity. With great speed and surprising power, he racked up 30 sacks across 51 games in his collegiate career. Stewart’s explosiveness and production are exactly what the Bucs lack on the edge.

David Walker (Central Arkansas) – An FCS standout, Walker has not been tested against the best competition and is very undersized. That said, he dominated the competition he did see and has the traits and explosiveness to become a quality pass rusher in the pros if he’s able to overcome the limitations of his size. A solid mid/late round target for the Bucs that would pair well with a quality add in free agency.

CB:

Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) – Hairston’s main concern is his physicality, outside of that he does everything that you want a corner to do at a high level. If he can improve his ability to perform in run support he has a chance to be a true number one corner. Hairston’s ball skills and pure cover ability are exactly what the Bucs have been sorely lacking in at corner making him the ideal choice if they decide to target a DB in the first round.

Dorian Strong (Virginia Tech) – An all-around solid player that does everything well

enough but not spectacularly. Strong’s hips lack top level fluidity which limits his ceiling but he will be a quality backup on day one with the potential to develop into a good but not great starter. The Bucs could use a player like strong as their lack of depth at corner was heavily exposed this season and Strong will instantly be a solid contributor in that role.

Bilhal Kone (Western Michigan) – Not the greatest pure cover corner you’ll find but

Kone has some of the best ball skills in the entire draft class. This leads him to be better suited to playing zone but he can play some man coverage though will give his staff and fanbase some head shaking moments when asked to do so. Kone should be a top day 3 target for the Bucs as he provides a skill set that they are in desperate need of with the potential to be a starter down the line.

LB:

Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) – An athletic linebacker with an ideal build for the position, Campbell is far and away the best off-ball linebacker in the class. Not only can he effectively get after the quarterback when asked to blitz, he is also outstanding in coverage. The Bucs desperately need a dynamic talent at linebacker as the heir apparent to Lavonte David and Campbell can absolutely fill that role.

Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) – A quality linebacker that just lacks that top level

juice to make him an elite talent. Knight can instantly start and be a decent contributor while

not being a player that will wow you week after week. He would fit in nicely next to Lavonte

David for a season or two while the Bucs search for their next true star linebacker to then be

Knight’s running mate.

Shemar James (Florida) – James shows flashes of having the ability to be a three down

contributor but lacks the consistency to be an early contributor. He has all the traits you want

to see in a starting caliber linebacker, he can cover, tackle, and make plays in the backfield

(when he’s able to put it together). More of a developmental prospect, James works for the

Bucs if David can hang around for a few more seasons and teach him a thing or two.