JC Allen's Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft 1.0
It's draft season and as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ascend on the combine I've drawn up my first mock of the year. The Bucs have a plethora of needs which will become clearer as free agency begins. The expectation is the team will get the gang back together signing quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans to long-term deals. While either applying the franchise tag to Antoine Winfield Jr. or coming to a long-term extension with the All-Pro safety.
It appears Lavonte David will strap them up for another season and the Bucs would be foolish to let Chase McLaughlin walk in free agency. What that leaves the Bucs with are a handful of needs to address through the draft or in free agency.
Arguably their top need will be a premiere pass rusher with the likely departure of Shaq Barrett via a post-June 1st release. The only problem is the Bucs aren't in striking distance of one in the draft. With an unexpected bump in cap space, I expect the Bucs to make this their main priority when it comes to outside free agents.
After that Interior offensive line and safety come to the forefront. Last season the Bucs made two buy low swings and misses in free agency with guard Matt Feiler and safety Ryan Neal. Upgrading the interior, especially the left guard spot will be paramount for the team's success next season. They could also look to upgrade the center position though after a rough start, Robert Hainsey settled in to finish the season and graded out as a middle-of-the-pack starter.
With Winfield Jr about to get paid, getting a young cost cost-controlled safety to pair with him would be a wise step to take. Beyond that, the Bucs could use depth at tight end, defensive line, running back, and wide receiver as well as a linebacker with an eye toward David's inevitable retirement.
There is also some uncertainty on Carlton Davis' future with the team as he heads into the final year of his deal. He has struggled to stay healthy and could be moved for draft assets or released which would open up a need at corner. Unless the team thinks Zyon McCollum is ready to take over as a starter.
The Bucs currently have six selections in this year's draft. They are without a fifth-round selection after a 2023 trade that saw them move the pick to the Eagles for a sixth in which they used to select wide receiver Trey Palmer. The team is expected to receive a compensatory seventh-round pick for the loss of safety Mike Edwards in free agency last year, but it hasn't officially been announced by the league yet.
1. 26: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr - Missouri - Junior - 6'0 - 188
The Bucs need to keep an eye on the future but also could potentially be in the market for a corner if they move on from Carlton Davis this offseason. Rakestraw is a plug-and-play corner with inside/ outside versatility. He excels in press-man coverage and is the best-man coverage corner in the draft.
He's got great length and is physical at the line of scrimmage knocking receivers off their routes. He has flashed good ball skills with 21 pass breakups but had just one interception in college. Last season he allowed just 197 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions and 28 targets. He has a high football IQ, can quickly sniff out plays in the zone, and is excellent in run support.
2. 58: S Jaden Hicks - Washington State - Junior - 6'3 - 212
The Bucs need to find a cheap cost-controlled option to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr who is set to receive a ton of money on his next deal. Hicks is a three-level defender who can make plays in the box, the middle of the field, and the back end. The rangy safety had 81 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and three sacks as a junior for the Cougars.
Hicks would allow Winfield Jr. to continue to play all over the field while not being a liability when asked to play in coverage. He is a versatile player who would allow Bucs head coach Todd Bowles to use him in a variety of ways and give the defense a pair of playmakers at safety.
3. 89: G Mason McCormick - South Dakota State - Senior - 6'4 - 315
Another draft another small school offensive lineman for Jason Licht and the Bucs. After plucking Cody Mauch from North Dakota State last season, Licht heads south to select McCormick. The senior left guard has a nasty demeanor and is physical to the whistle. He excels in run blocking, especially in zone, and finishes blocks when engaged.
While he isn't a polished product in pass blocking, he adjusts well to a wide array of pass rush moves defenders will use against him. In 54 consecutive starts at left guard, he allowed just two sacks. He'll need to prove he can handle the jump from the FCS to the NFL, but like the small school lineman before him the Bucs drafted, he's up to the task.
4. 127: DL Khristian Boyd - Northern Iowa - Senior - 6'4 - 317
The Bucs have little depth behind their starters and while they could bring guys like Greg Gaines and Patrick O'Connor back in free agency they should also look to the draft to add young talent. This draft isn't loaded with talent at the defensive tackle position but one player who stands out is Boyd.
Boyd has an explosive first step that he uses to get into the backfield with an array of pass-rush moves. He's more polished as a run defender and has the strength to get off blocks while holding up against double teams. The fifth-year senior plays with great leverage but can get a little stiff when trying to get around blockers. He finished out his collegiate career with 90 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.
6. 204: RB Isaiah Davis - South Dakota State - Senior - 6'0 - 220
When watching tape of guard Mason McCormick it's hard not to notice and get excited about Davis. The one thing the Bucs lacked last season in the running game was size and toughness between the tackles and Davis brings it in droves. When watching Davis the first thing that jumps off the page is his vision and instincts. He always seems to find the right hole to break through. Though he's not a burner and doesn't have the explosiveness as a Rachaad White, his short area quickness and agility are exceptional.
His production over the course of his time at South Dakota State was explosive. He finished his senior season with 1,578 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns, adding 23 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown through the air.
7. 244: LB Jontrey Hunter - Georgia State - Senior - 6'2 - 229
It appears Lavonte David will be back in the fold for the 2024 season so inside linebacker isn't as pressing a need as it once may have been viewed. The Bucs like what they saw in K.J. Britt and still have SirVocea Dennis whom they selected in the fifth round last year. They could also turn to free agency to address the other starting spot but that doesn't mean they should ignore the position.
Hunter made the switch from safety to linebacker last season and while there were some ups and downs there was a lot to like. The former safety is exceptional in coverage with the ability to cover tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers from the position. He displayed good ability to stack and shed to get off blocks but will need more time to learn the intricacies. of the position. The Tampa native finished his collegiate career with 33 starts totaling 225 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, three recoveries, and a defensive touchdown.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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