Best available players on the board as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into Day 2 of the NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did what many thought and added Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The work is far from over, however, as plenty of talented prospects remain available on both sides of the ball. The Bucs have three picks heading into Day 2: No. 57 (second-round) and Nos. 89 and 92 in Round 3.

Here are the best (non-QB) available players remaining at each position for the Bucs:

Running back

• FSU RB Trey Benson
• Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
• USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
• Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen
• Clemson RB Will Shipley
• Michigan RB Blake Corum
• Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright
• Notre Dame RB Audric Estime
• Kentucky RB Ray Davis

Why RB makes sense on Day 2: The Bucs have a solid duo in Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, but the latter is a veteran who represents a year-to-year option, more than anything. Sean Tucker and Patrick Laird, the other two backs on the roster, are still very unproven. Therefore bringing in a young guy to push Edmonds and compete for the RB3 spot, at worst, ultimately makes sense.

Wide receiver

• Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
• Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
• Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley
• UCF WR Javon Baker
• Virginia WR Malik Washington
• Michigan WR Roman Wilson
• Washington WR Jalen McMillan
• North Carolina WR Devontez Walker
• FSU WR Johnny Wilson
• USC WR Brenden Rice
• Rice WR Luke McCaffrey

Why WR makes sense on Day 2: It's pretty obvious: Although he shows zero signs of slowing down, Mike Evans isn't getting younger (or cheaper) and Chris Godwin is in the last year of his deal. The Bucs would absolutely love to keep both guys in 2025 and beyond, but that's far from guaranteed. The Bucs could also use some more depth at the position, even though Trey Palmer, Devin Thompkins, and Rakim Jarrett flashed in 2023.

Tight end

• Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott
• TCU TE Jared Wiley
• Ohio State TE Cade Stover
• Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
• Penn State TE Theo Johnson
• Iowa TE Erick All

Why TE makes sense on Day 2: This position isn't anywhere near the priority of others, but it wouldn't hurt to bring in a "move"-type TE for matchup purposes. That probably doesn't happen, though, unless the board falls a certain way.

Offensive tackle

• Houston OT Patrick Paul
  
• TCU OT Brandon Coleman
• Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie
• Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher
• Penn State OT Caeden Wallace
• Washington OT Roger Rosengarten
• Pittsburgh OT Matt Goncalves

Why OT makes sense on Day 2: It's hard to sell offensive tackle on Day 2. Sure, the Bucs could upgrade at swing tackle, but is that worth a Day 2 pick? Not in my opinion, but obviously, it's all about what Jason Licht and co. think. Still, I don't think they feel that way.

Interior offensive line

• UConn OL Christian Haynes
• Kansas State OL Cooper BeebeKansas 
• OL Dominic Puni
• Boston College OL Christian Mahogany

Why iOL makes sense on Day 2: The only spot that makes sense moving forward is a guard and even that doesn't make sense on Day 2, since the Bucs view free agent pickup Sua Opeta as a potential starter.

EDGE

• Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland
• Washington DE Bralen Trice
• Penn State DE Adissa Isaac
• Utah DE Jonah Eliss
• CSU DE Mohamed Kamara
• UCLA DE Gabriel Murphy
• Houston Baptist DE Jalyx Hunt

Why EDGE makes sense on Day 2: The Bucs could certainly try and add another guy at EDGE, as there is no one true option. YaYa Diaby has the potential to be that guy, but it remains to be seen. In a league where pass rush matters more than ever - why. not take the shot?

Defensive line

• DL Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton
• LSU DT Maason Smith
• Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr.
• Michigan DT Kris Jenkins
• FSU DT Braden Fiske
• Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus
• Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro

Why DL makes sense on Day 2: The Bucs are always wanting to upgrade the pass rush and they still haven't found a true formula for an effective four-man pass rush. Taking one of the above prospects would really help with both objectives.

Linebacker

• NC State LB Payton Wilson
• Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
• Michigan LB Junior Colson
• Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
• UNC LB Devin Gray

Why LB makes sense on Day 2: K.J. Britt is a solid option next to Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis has potential, but the position group looks a lot less effective if David were to get hurt. Plus, David is on a year-to-year basis, anyway: there's no guarantee he's back in 2025. Linebacker isn't a priority, but it also wouldn't be illogical if the Bucs drafted one in Rounds 2 or 3.

Cornerback

• Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
• Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
• Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
• Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa
• Rutgers CB Max Melton
• Michigan CB Mike Sainristil
• Mizzou CB Kris Abrams-Draine
• Kentucky CB Andru Phillips

Why CB makes sense on Day 2: This could easily be the top priority on Friday since there are plenty of questions after trading away Carlton Davis III.

Safety

• Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
• Georgia S Javon Bullard
• Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
• Utah S Cole Bishop
• Washington State S Jaden Hicks
• Georgia S Tykee Smith

Why S makes sense on Day 2: Jordan Whitehead is back in the mix, which immediately sews up the spot next to All-Pro S Antoine Winfield Jr. Kaevon Merriweather flashed a little in 2023 and the Bucs just released Richard LeCounte III. Despite having just three true safeties on the roster, I don't think the Bucs view the position as a need on Day 2.