Preparing For Now, Later: Tampa’s NFL Draft Plan

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been synonymous with consistency in the last couple of years, winning the Super Bowl in 2021 and making the playoffs for five consecutive seasons. However, to keep their playoff-caliber team competitive, the Bucs will need to nail it in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft and immediately reinforce some key positions.

This year’s NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay on April 24-26. The event represents the culmination of the hard work of a lifetime and, at the same time, begins a new path for the new talents of football.

Tampa holds a middle of the field position in the first round, with a willingness to move around the board. Depending on how things unfold early on, the Bucs could either trade up for a high-impact player or slide down to accumulate more picks.

In his latest Mock Draft, NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the Buccaneers selecting Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. The senior would bring tenacity and determination, notching 16.5 sacks last season. He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft.

Even with Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum as projected cornerback starters, the tier behind them is thin. Injuries have hurt this unit in the past, so insurance is crucial. Coach Todd Bowles likes physical corners, and this year’s draft class has some prospects who align with his style of play.

Speaking with ESPN in a recent interview, Bucs general manager Jason Licht expressed the need to think long-term. “You want to fill needs, sure. But we’re also focused on what this team looks like two, three years from now. That means finding guys who may not start right away, but who’ll be vital when we’re back here again in the playoffs.”

His message is clear: Tampa is not rebuilding, its reloading while focusing on the future.