Buccaneers named most improved NFL team following 2025 NFL Draft

Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already received some glowing reviews of their 2025 draft class.

Emeka Egbuka celebrates a first down catch behind Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jalen McMurray. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South Division each of the past four seasons. The year prior to that, they were crowned Super Bowl champs at season's end. It's safe to say that the Buccaneers and their fans are enjoying this recent run of success, especially when you consider the many decades of losing they experienced leading up to the latter half of Jason Licht's tenure as the team's general manager.

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Despite their sustained success, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated still believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have brighter days ahead. In a recent article detailing the most improved teams following the NFL Draft, the Bucs were not only named as one of those five teams but they came in at No 1.

"The Buccaneers surprised many around the league when they took a receiver with the No. 19 overall pick, selecting Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. Still, Egbuka is a talented prospect who should thrive under the tutelage of fellow wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin before taking over one of their roles," Verderame wrote.

Verderame was not only impressed with how the Buccaneers added to a strength at the wide receiver position but also how they addressed defensive needs throughout the draft.

"Later on, general manager Jason Licht found talent in second-day corners Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, both of whom could start with strong training camps in a revamped secondary. To start Day 3, Light selected a pair of defensive linemen in David Walker and Elijah Roberts, giving Tampa Bay some reinforcements up front."

It's clear that Verderame believes Tampa Bay's impressive rookie class could pay immediate dividends for the Bucs on the field in 2025, finishing off his analysis of the Bucs by stating that they were one of the draft's most improved teams.

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