Pewter Report 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft FINAL

It’s NFL Draft week and now it’s time for the final edition of the Pewter Report 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report.

Coming off a 9-8 season and a third straight NFC South championship, Tampa Bay filled a bunch of needs in free agency by re-signing every one of its star players and adding some new free agents. As expected, the Bucs parted ways with 31-year old edge rusher Shaq Barrett this offseason, and they let starting inside linebacker Devin White walk in free agency.

Tampa Bay also traded starting cornerback Carlton Davis III and a sixth-round pick to Detroit for a third-rounder in a move that was forecast by Pewter Report. Most recently, the Bucs re-signed veteran defensive tackle Will Gholston, who is back for his 12th year in Tampa Bay.

Bucs Personnel Needs

Interior Offensive Line

The Bucs need a starting left guard after letting Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie go in free agency. Reserve Nick Leverett was also not re-signed and instead the Bucs added Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson in free agency. Both could be viewed as upgraded depth rather than starter material. While both will challenge for the vacant left guard spot, Bredeson could also vie for the center position.

The Bucs have gotten average play from center Robert Hainsey over the last two years as a fill-in for injured starter Ryan Jensen. At age 33, Jensen’s career is over as he’s officially retired due to the devastating knee injury he suffered during the 2022 training camp.

Hainsey is a smart, tough player, but lacks the power and tone-setting attitude that Jensen brought to the offensive line. The Bucs could draft a center to compete with Hainsey, or have a two-man competition between he and Bredeson, or move Cody Mauch to center either this year or next year.

Outside Linebacker

The Bucs found a third-round gem in YaYa Diaby, who led the team with 7.5 sacks during his rookie season despite not being a starter until mid-November. Tampa Bay released Shaq Barrett, whose production dipped to just 4.5 sacks at age 31 while coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round pick, is entering a contract year and the team is not expected to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

Randy Gregory will work in a rotation and could provide some juice. But at 31 years old himself and with very little history of reliability or sustained production, his contributions should be viewed as a surprise surplus rather than expected performance.

The Bucs need another athletic pass rusher who can start opposite Diaby in 2024. Anthony Nelson is a good rotational rusher who is strong in run defense and is also entering a contract year. Tampa Bay has two promising young edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but neither appears ready to start. Tampa Bay will be moving on from veteran Cam Gill, too.

While a case can be made for each of the players already rostered to be a part of 2024’s active roster, only Diaby should be viewed as a lock to be a key contributor. As for Tryon-Shoyinka, Nelson, Gregory, Ramirez and Watts – none of them have enough investment in them to preclude the Bucs from adding someone they think could become a difference-maker.

Secondary

The Bucs’ play at strong safety has taken a step back since losing Jordan Whitehead in free agency after the 2021 season. Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal weren’t the answer in 2022, and neither was Ryan Neal last season. So the Bucs made a wise move and re-signed Whitehead in free agency. Kaevon Merriweather returns for depth in his second year with the team, but the team could – and should – add another safety to the mix to safeguard against injury.

The Bucs traded Carlton Davis III to the Lions, which elevated Zyon McCollum to a starting role opposite Jamel Dean. Bryce Hall was signed from the Jets to provide depth at outside cornerback, while former Texan Tavierre Thomas will challenge Christian Izien for the starting job in the slot. Josh Hayes and Keenan Isaac are the top reserves at outside cornerback, but the Bucs could use another talented outside corner for competition.

Inside Linebacker

As expected, the Bucs re-signed Lavonte David and parted ways with fellow inside linebacker Devin White, a five-year starter and former team captain. K.J. Britt enters a contract year poised to fill in for White at Mike linebacker while David continues to play the Mo ‘backer role. J.J. Russell and SirVocea Dennis provide depth and could challenge Britt for the right to start.

It’s not a deep or talented inside linebacker draft, but don’t rule out the Bucs drafting one. The team has brought in three for Top 30 visits this offseason.

Running Back

Rachaad White was the wire-to-wire starter at running back this year for the Bucs, and he exceled in that role as the season went on. While he finished with 990 yards rushing and was 10 yards short of his first 1,000-yard season, White did top 1,500 yards in both rushing and receiving, and was the league’s fourth-most productive back.

The Bucs need more depth at the running back position, as White shouldn’t have to carry such a huge workload in 2024.

Chase Edmonds is a nice change-of-pace back and was re-signed. The Bucs jettisoned former third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was a bust, at midseason. Heralded undrafted free agent rookie Sean Tucker never made an impact, nor did he see the field much. The Bucs could use another good running back to compete for the backup job behind White in 2024, and be a capable starter in case White goes down with an injury.

Tight End

In terms of strength of position, tight end might have been the weakest in Tampa Bay last year. It was certainly the youngest and most inexperienced with a pair of second-year players in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft atop the depth chart, along with rookie Payne Durham. All three players are Day 3 picks and the Bucs could use an upgrade in talent in the tight end room.

None of the Bucs’ tight ends are real weapons in the passing game, nor is any one of them an exceptional blocker. Tampa Bay made do at tight end this year, but could certainly do better in 2024 with a more talented starter to supplant Otton, who might be better as TE2.

Bucs’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks

The Bucs currently have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded their fifth-round pick to the Eagles last year in order to move up and select wide receiver Trey Palmer in the sixth round. The Bucs received a sixth-round compensatory pick for the loss of free agent safety Mike Edwards in the 2023 offseason. Tampa Bay also traded its own sixth-round pick and cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit for the Lions’ third-round pick.

Pewter Report’s 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft series is energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Try the new CELSIUS Essentials, which come in a variety of flavors, including Cherry Limeade, Blue Crush, Dragonberry, and Orangesicle, and are perfect for the workout enthusiast.

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2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft – FINAL
By Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo

Round 1 – Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Junior • 6-3, 323

The Bucs could very well address the center position right off the bat in the 2024 NFL Draft if Powers-Johnson is available at No. 26, as the team is seeking an upgrade over Robert Hainsey. Don’t rule out Bucs general manager Jason Licht trading up to get the Oregon center if he slips past Pittsburgh at No. 20.

Powers-Johnson originally debuted as the Bucs’ second round pick in Pewter Report’s initial 2024 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft back in January. But a great showing at the Senior Bowl and some good testing numbers has his stock on the rise.

Powers-Johnson was a two-year starter at Oregon, where he played 350 snaps at right guard and 44 snaps at center as a sophomore before becoming a full-time center in 2023. During his junior season, Powers-Johnson played 829 snaps at center and only allowed one hurry with zero sacks and zero QB hits surrendered. In three years at Oregon, the 6-foot-3, 323-pounder only allowed one QB hit.

Powers-Johnson earned a 90.6 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last year, in addition to an 85.2 run blocking grade. A player with a nasty demeanor, Powers-Johnson even played some defensive tackle in a pinch during the Alamo Bowl as a freshman, recording his first tackle.

Powers-Johnson’s playing style is reminiscent of that of former Bucs Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who was known as a violent finisher in the run game. With a wrestling background from his days in high school, Powers-Johnson plays with an edge and is the brawler the Bucs need in their interior offensive line.

Round 2 – Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro
Junior • 6-4, 294

The Bucs can’t pass up a talented defensive lineman like the versatile Orhorhoro, who played everywhere from nose tackle to defensive end along Clemson’s defensive line. Seeing most of his action as the Tigers’ three-technique, Orhorhoro improved his sack total each year he was in school.

Orhorhoro was considered the leader of the Tigers defensive line and is a loud, vocal leader who brought juice to the Clemson defense. The Nigerian native is still relatively new to football, having started playing the game as a junior in his school. The Bucs had Orhorhoro in for a Top 30 visit and also had a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Ruke Orhorhoro’s Defensive Statistics
2019: 4 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack
2021: 36 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, FR
2022: 23 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks, 5 PBUs, FR, safety
2023: 22 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, PBU

Orhorhoro is one of the most athletic defensive tackles to ever enter the NFL Draft, which will resonate with the Bucs brass. He’s an active, violent defender who has a good pass rush game plan. And when he can’t get to the quarterback, Orhorhoro will get his hands up into the passing lanes, evidenced by his nine career pass breakups.

Round 3 – Boston College G Christian Mahogany
Junior • 6-3, 313

The Bucs wind up being patient when it comes to finding their new starting left guard with Mahogany in the third round. The Boston College star plays bigger than his 6-foot-3, 314-pound frame would indicate. That’s due in part to his heavy hands when he lands punches to defender’s chests, and his nasty, chippy demeanor.

The interesting thing about this selection is that a breaks a Bucs mold. General manager Jason Licht hasn’t drafted a true guard since 2014 when he selected Tennessee State’s Kadeem Edwards in the fifth round. Every other guard Licht has selected has been a college left tackle that he’s moved inside to guard.

Mahogany showed some surprising athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, but there are some questions about how nimble he is when it comes to zone blocking. Boston College ran more man/gap plays that featured Mahogany’s power in the run game.

The two-year starter at right guard will need some work in pass protection, but he has all the tools to develop into an NFL starter in relatively short order. Mahogany could start the season at left guard, or develop for a bit behind veteran Sua Opeta, who was signed from Philadelphia in free agency.

Round 3 – USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
Junior • 5-9, 220

The Bucs add another dual-threat weapon to the running back room with Lloyd in the third round. While he has less than 300 career carries in college, Lloyd, who is a compactly built big back at 220 pounds, has plenty of miles on his tires as he enters the NFL at age 23. Tampa Bay could use an upgrade at the RB2 spot, as last year the team got very little out of the running backs behind starter Rachaad White.

Chase Edmonds was injured and ineffective, and is better suited to be RB3, while Sean Tucker is largely unproven. Tampa Bay wisely moved on from Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was a third-round bust from the 2021 draft. Bucs general manager Jason Licht seemingly likes to draft running backs in the third round though, and Lloyd is the latest. He has good speed (4.46) and better acceleration and a sense of urgency than White does.

Marshawn Lloyd’s Rushing Statistics
2021: 64 carries for 228 yards (3.6 avg.), TD
2022: 111 carries for 573 yards (5.2 avg.), 9 TDs
2023: 116 carries for 820 yards (7.1 avg.), 9 TDs

Marshawn Lloyd’s Receiving Statistics
2021: 3 rec. for 44 yards (14.7 avg.)
2022: 18 rec. for 173 yards (9.6 avg.), 2 TDs
2023: 13 rec. for 232 yards (14.7 avg.)

Lloyd, who transferred to USC after two years at South Carolina, has had some injuries in the past along with an alarming eight fumbles in 289 carries. But when the ball is secure and he’s on the field, Lloyd is a real, physical weapon, forcing 47 missed tackles last year. He’s an emerging receiver out of the backfield and only had one drop last season.

Round 4 – Colorado State OLB Mohamed Kamara
Junior • 6-1, 248

Tampa Bay adds another edge rusher to the outside linebacker in Kamara, who played at the same school where former Bucs great Shaq Barrett played. Kamara racked up an impressive 29.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss in his Rams career. With a 6-foot-1, 248-pound compact frame, Kamara is built nearly identical to Barrett but is even faster with a 4.57 time in the 40-yard dash.

Tampa Bay has a pair of similarly-built edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but Kamara’s production, high motor and arsenal of pass rush moves are too good to ignore. He plays bigger than his size would indicate and is plenty strong and physical.

Mohamed Kamara’s Defensive Statistics
2019: 22 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, FR, TD
2020: 21 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks
2021: 26 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, PBU, FF
2022: 44 tackles, 16 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, PBU, 2 FFs, FR
2023: 56 tackles, 17 TFLs, 13 sacks, PBU, 2 FFs, FR, TD

Kamara was a team captain at Colorado State and his relentless playing style could help the Bucs on special teams if he does not emerge as a starter or initial contributor on defense as a rookie. The only real downside to the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year is that he is about to turn 24 and has little experience dropping into coverage. Tampa Bay had an informal meeting with Kamara at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Round 6 – Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson
Redshirt Senior • 6-3, 212

The Bucs add a receiver with some size on Day 3 with Johnson, who is fresh off a national championship at Michigan. He has a nice combination of size and speed (4.44 at the NFL Scouting Combine) with a 37.5-inch vertical that helps Johnson win a lot of contested catches. He has a nice catch radius, but the amount of drops (17) he had in five years at college along with his unpolished route running will cause him to slide to the late rounds, especially in such a WR-heavy draft class.

Johnson is viewed as a good teammate and a great perimeter blocker in the running game. Although his production was rather modest at Michigan, especially catching just one touchdown as a fifth-year senior, Johnson has 45 starts on his Wolverines resumé. His 139 career receptions surpassed Desmond Howard (134) and Mario Manningham (137) on the school’s all-time list. Johnson is unafraid to go over the middle on slants and crossing routes.

Cornelius Johnson’s Receiving Statistics
2019: 4 rec. for 61 yards (15.3 avg.) TD
2020: 16 rec. for 254 yards (15.9 avg.), 3 TDs
2021: 40 rec. for 627 yards (15.7 avg.), 3 TDs
2022: 32 rec. for 499 yards (15.6 avg.), 6 TDs
2023: 47 rec. for 604 yards (12.9 avg.), TD

Johnson could compete for depth at the outside receiver position, likely split end (X) behind Mike Evans, while also contributing on special teams. While he didn’t play a lot of special teams due to the fact that he was a starter, Johnson did block two punts in 2021. The Bucs had an informal meeting with Johnson at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Round 7 – Air Force S Trey Taylor
Redshirt Senior • 6-0, 206

Taylor is one heck of a football player. He’s tough, physical, smart and instinctive. But his limited athleticism will hold him back until Day 3, where the Bucs will be tempted to draft him in the sixth or seventh round. Taylor was in Tampa Bay for a Top 30 visit and his maturity, versatility and high football I.Q. will make him a great scheme fit in Todd Bowles’ defense.

Taylor won the Jim Thorpe Award last year for his outstanding play at Air Force with 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, three interceptions, including a pick-six, and half a sack. He only allowed one touchdown last year and finished his senior season with an 89 coverage grade per Pro Football Focus.

Trey Taylor’s Defensive Statistics
2021: 62 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sack, 6 PBUs, INT, FF
2022: 69 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, sack, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs
2023: 74 tackles, 5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 7 PBUs, 3 INTs

Despite spending five years in college, Taylor just turned 23. He’ll have a chance to compete with Kaevon Merriweather for depth at the safety position. Taylor logged 327 snaps in the box last year with 200 deep and 160 in the slot. The cousin of Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, Taylor is durable with 36 straight starts without missing a game.

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