Bucs 2023 Mock Draft Roundup: Cornering The Market

With the Super Bowl concluded and the offseason beginning, the Bucs along with the rest of the NFL turn their attention over to the NFL Draft.  What’s next for Tampa Bay in an offseason already full of changes? Pewter Report takes a look at the latest mock drafts for your favorite football team. The NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner so Bucs mock draft season is in full swing.

Here are the latest Bucs mock drafts from draft analysts with their opinions on how Tampa Bay should approach their picks this year.

Bucs Mock Draft Roundup

Nate Davis – USA Today

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

“The Brady-less, capped-out Bucs seem headed for an overhaul. But with DBs Jamel Dean, Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Sean Murphy-Bunting all headed for the open market, a talented corner like Gonzalez seems a like a logical choice.”

Max Chadwick – Pro Football Focus

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

“The Buccaneers’ first order of business is to find Tom Brady’s replacement. However, there isn’t a remaining quarterback currently worthy of going off the board this early.

“Instead, the Buccaneers boost their secondary with Kool-Aid McKinstry, PFF’s top returning cornerback for 2023. The sophomore was a PFF first-team All-American this past season and tied for second in the country with 18 forced incompletions. With Jamel Dean potentially leaving in free agency, McKinstry will be a viable replacement.”

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

“Sanders is a former five-star recruit who transferred from Alabama after the 2021 season and all he did was show out for the Razorbacks. He was an edge rusher for the Crimson Tide, but he lined up all over the defense for Arkansas and he’s been a one-man wrecking crew when he’s on the field.”

Bucs’ 2nd Round Pick: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson

Kevin Hanson – Sports Illustrated

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

“The biggest need for the Buccaneers as they begin their rebuild in the post–Tom Brady era is quarterback, but the four top options are already off the board here. Corners Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are both impending free agents, and Smith is a competitive corner with good length and ball skills (six career interceptions).”

Danny Kelly – The Ringer

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence

“The Buccaneers have holes to fill at multiple positions, but none are bigger than the one at offensive line. Torrence makes this group bigger and tougher and solidifies things for whoever ends up playing quarterback in Tampa Bay in 2023.”

Keith Sanchez – The Draft Network

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Iowa Edge Lukas Van Ness

“In the post-Tom Brady era, the Buccaneers are looking for a QB—but I believe they address that issue via free agency. In this NFL mock draft, they decide to address a defense that took a significant step back in 2022.”

Sayre Bedinger – NFL Spinzone

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

“What is about to happen to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 offseason? Tom Brady has retired. They are way over the salary cap. They have effectively cleaned house on the offensive staff. There are some big-name impending free agents as well as some potentially big-name impending salary cap cuts. The Bucs simply need to make sure they get cost-effective players at premium positions right now and Cam Smith fits the bill at cornerback.”

Kent Platte – Pro Football Network 

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones

“One of the broadest blockers we’ve ever seen is coming to the Combine in 2023. Dawand Jones’ massive wingspan and athleticism relative to his size make him a very difficult assignment for pass rushers.

“Even if the Combine doesn’t go his way, teams may have learned from Orlando Brown just how well this kind of length can be utilized on either side of an offense, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need some protection while they figure out who their quarterback will be.”

Patrick Conn – College Sports Wire

Bucs’ 1st Round Pick: Georgia OT Broderick Jones

“Tom Brady is gone, we think, and Kyle Trask or whoever wins the job will need better protection. Jones is athletic and can get out in space to lead the way for ball carriers.”

Bucs’ 2nd Round Pick: North Carolina WR Josh Downs

“The Bucs could use another receiving target with Mike Evans garnering most of the attention, they get that with Josh Downs.”