Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Year: 10-7)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: Tom Brady was the primary reason why the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2020, but the great defense also played a big part. The defense has fallen off since, so numerous upgrades are needed on that side of the ball. With just five picks prior to Round 7, the Buccaneers need to spend most of their resources bolstering the stop unit.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Buccaneers used their 19th-overall pick as if they were some rebuilding organization. Emeka Egbuka projects to be a good receiver in the NFL, but he’ll be fourth on the depth chart this year unless there are injuries. Thanks to how poor the NFC South is, the Buccaneers are in a position to win now. They needed someone, whether it was an edge rusher or a linebacker, who could help them prevail this season. Egbuka will not do that.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, they made up for their first-round blunder over the next two days. They obtained a nice value with Benjamin Morrison in the middle of the second frame, though Morrison has injury concerns. David Walker was also a nice bargain in the fourth round. He, Morrison, and third-rounder Jacob Parrish will potentially fill glaring defensive needs.
Despite the second and third days saving the Buccaneers, they can’t be graded favorably. Given how tight the competition is with the Falcons in the division, Tampa Bay needed to come away with a strong class that could help this year, but the Egbuka pick doesn’t allow that to happen.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
19. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – MILLEN Grade
HUUUUHHHHHH!?!??! What a strange pick. The Buccaneers not only re-signed Chris Godwin; they also drafted Jalen McMillan last year. Oh, and they have Mike Evans. Why do they need another receiver? What about the horrible defense? What is happening with this bizarre draft? This is a reach, and it doesn’t fill a need at all. A team drafting too many receivers sounds like a Millen to me.
53. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame – A- Grade
I considered Benjamin Morrison to be a first-round prospect earlier in this draft process, but a hip injury pushed him down draft boards. Injuries can come and go, however, so Morrison has a ton of upside. He would potentially fill a big need that the Buccaneers have had to address for several years.
84. Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State – B Grade
Another cornerback makes sense for the Buccaneers, who haven’t been able to stop the pass for years. He was projected to be a third- or a fourth-round prospect, so this selection makes sense for multiple reasons.
121. David Walker, DE/OLB, Central Arkansas – A- Grade
This pick certainly fills a need, as the Buccaneers have had issues with their pass rush for years. David Walker is a dangerous pass rusher, though the level of competition is a concern. Still, he’s worth a gamble here in the fourth round.
157. Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU – B+ Grade
Another edge rusher for the Buccaneers makes sense, as does this range for Elijah Roberts. The SMU product was highly productive in school, and he should help get after Michael Penix Jr.
235. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon – A Grade
I was wondering where Tez Johnson would go. I don’t know how he sees any playing time on offense, but he’ll be used on special teams. Johnson is small, but is a home run threat.
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