© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN Lists Top 2024 NFL Draft Needs For Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs may have won the NFC South last year, but there are still a few needs the team needs to address in the NFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seemingly settled this offseason after putting together one of the more underrated free agencies by retaining all of their key free agents from last year. The franchise was able to re-sign veteran wideout Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield and linebacker Lavonte David while also placing the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Bucs also completed a trade that netted them an extra draft pick in this year’s upcoming NFL draft and added a few additional pieces that might not have been splashy, but will greatly benefit the team heading into the 2024 regular season.
As mentioned, the Buccaneers completed a trade that sent cornerback Carlton Davis to Detroit in which they received an extra third-round pick in this year’s draft. With free agency pretty much over and with us now into April, organizations are starting to turn their attention to the NFL Draft later in the month and the Bucs will be looking to improve in certain areas where they didn’t hit in free agency.
It is unknown at this point what direction Tampa Bay will look to go when the draft begins, but according to ESPN, the Buccaneers' biggest needs in the draft come down to three positions: outside linebacker, center, and guard.
“In a cap-saving move, the Bucs cut ties with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett and didn't address that position in free agency. Yaya Diaby did lead the Bucs with 7.5 sacks his rookie season, and the team is excited about the growth of Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but the Bucs don't have a game-wrecker at the position," ESPN's Jenna Laine wrote. "
Anthony Nelson is more of a rotational player and coach Todd Bowles feels Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is more of a "Joker" type player who can move around. So look for them to take an outside linebacker in the draft. Tampa Bay also needs to get better at interior run blocking, with holes at both center and left guard.”
The Bucs will need to address these positions first and foremost before looking elsewhere, but it will be interesting to see if they start right off the bat hitting these three positions. The losses and lack of playmakers at these specific positions are worrisome, but if we have learned anything over the past few seasons, it is that general manager Jason Licht and company won’t do the franchise a disservice when it comes time to start drafting players.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
