Bucs 2023 Mock Draft Roundup: Post-Combine Outlook

With the NFL Combine finished, the Bucs, along with the rest of the league, are gearing up for the NFL Draft. What’s next for Tampa Bay in an offseason already full of changes? Today, Pewter Report takes a look at the latest mock drafts for your favorite football team. Mock draft season is certainly in full swing.

Here are the latest Bucs mock drafts from national analysts, with their opinions on how Tampa Bay will approach its picks this year.

Bucs Post-NFL Combine Mock Draft Roundup

Jaime Eisner – The Draft Network

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Alabama Safety Brian Branch

“Brian Branch worked out as a CB in Indianapolis but projects best as a versatile safety in the NFL. The Buccaneers have a handful of players in the secondary with expired contracts and have a lot of work to do to get their defense to a point where they can win games without Tom Brady.”

Lance Cartelli – DraftKings Nation

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Texas RB Bijan Robinson

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Georgia OT Broderick Jones

“Broderick Jones had a strong 2022 campaign for the Bulldogs, where he faced some of the best defensive players in the country every day at practice for the last two years. He’s not yet a finished product, but he has the athleticism and strength to be a difference-maker when he puts it all together.”

Doug Farrar – Touchdown Wire

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

“Not that a list of household chores will make Tom Brady unretire again, but no matter what happens with the Buccaneers’ quarterback situation (and it ain’t Kyle Trask, folks), let’s avoid reaching for a lower-round quarterback at this slot and instead give the Bucs a dynamic slot and outside target in the person of Smith-Njigba. Injuries cost Smith-Njigba most of his 2022 season, but even a cursory look at his 2021 tape shows a receiver with the ability to do just about anything. He’d be a remarkable addition to a receiver group who may have to make up for a lot of helium balls if things stay status quo.”

Leo Sells – NFL Draft Buzz

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee

“There were some concerns that Bresee wasn’t fully healthy coming out of last season, but he had a nice combine and seems to have silenced those narratives. Some teams will likely view him as a top-15 or even top-10 player, so the Bucs will be getting value by drafting him here. He has an elite mixture of speed and size for his position, and he’s just as good of a start to the team’s impending rebuild as anyone else.”

NFL Draft Bible

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Clemson Edge Myles Murphy

“An immediate impact player as a freshman, the Georgia native demonstrates quick, first step-explosion, along with great strength and versatility. Murphy has been utilized on the outside to set the edge and has kicked inside when needed, showcasing multiple ways how he can be implemented at the next level.”

Andrew Buller-Ross – Sportsnaut

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

“Upon first glance, the Buccaneers really don’t need another playmaking receiver, but Mike Evans is heading into a contract year, and Chris Godwin’s expires in 2024. The opportunity to add a shifty weapon like Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t come around often, and the fact that he could still be available at 19 seems like an opportunity too good to pass up, despite overlooking other needs.”

Bucs’ 1st-Round Pick: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo

“The Buccaneers know there’s a good chance Jamel Dean will leave as a free agent and Sean Murphy-Bunting also isn’t signed for 2023. With the rookie QB options not great here with four off the board, they can go with Ringo, the athletic and aggressive big corner Todd Bowles will like.”