Again, to reiterate, for my Buccaneers mock draft, I feel the team is in a good position to add some draft picks. So, I am still sticking with trading back. My priorities are still the same, the need for a left tackle, rebolstering the defense, and depth on offense. And of course I’m still predicting a step up for Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a better use of the wide receiver corps. So here we go.
First Round
Interested in adding some more picks to my 2023 draft I opted to trade back with the Dallas Cowboys at 26. To trade back the Buccaneers, receive the 26th overall and the Cowboys third round 90th overall, fifth round 169th overall and sixth round 212th overall. That’s an addition of three picks for the Buccaneers in a year where they are strapped for cash. Again, I felt there was great players at the back end of the first that will contribute day one.
With the 26th overall pick in the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Dalton Kincaid, tight end, Utah. To load up on weapons in the new NFC South arms race Kincaid adds another tight end to pair with Cade Otton.
This will increase the versatility of two tight end sets and add another wrinkle to the playbook. Kincaid, who Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares to Zach Ertz is a great receiving tight end. His numbers back it up too. With 70 receptions last year for 890 yards, he averaged 12.7 yards a catch. That’s how you move the chains. Add in his eight touchdowns and he makes for another red zone target at 6’4” and 242 pounds. Now this pick may seem a little out of left field but it’s one that allows Dave Canales to expand the playbook.
Second Round
With the 50th overall selection the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Cody Mauch, left tackle, North Dakota State University. If you saw my first mock draft, I brought Mauch’s name up. Here he appears as the next small school candidate and likely starter at left tackle for the Buccaneers. But don’t let the small school scare you. He will be a plus starter in this league so the Buccaneers can’t afford to let him get past this selection. At 6’5” and 302 pounds he’s a very polished player. In fact Lance Zierlein compares him to Alex Cappa. While at left tackle he’s only allowed two sacks in over 800 passing downs. He also has a great PFF run blocking grade. The offensive line will be in good hands with him opposite side Tristian Wirfs.
Third Round
With the 82nd overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Nick Herbig, edge, Wisconsin. Herbig is a very athletic edge player. He relies on finesse and football acumen to get in the backfield. In this previous season he racked up 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and added two forced fumbles. That’s the kind of work the Buccaneers want to have on the edge or as an off the ball linebacker. Once he hits the weight room at the NFL level all concern about his size will fade into the background.
With the 90th pick overall the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Moro Ojomo, defensive tackle, Texas. Omojo comes in with some impressive grades. He sits with a PFF 84.1 in pass rush, 91.4 in run defense, and a pass rush win rate of 17.8%. Though his numbers don’t necessarily tell the story. He only had five sacks last season. But that’s not why he’s being drafted. The Buccaneers will look to use him to eat space and collapse the pocket. His 20, yes 20, hurries last season show he’s more than capable of doing that. Most of his time was over the B Gap so he will fit well with Vita Vea. His worst game grade last season came in at 62.5, against a stout NFL talent laden Alabama. Needless to say, he’s underrated and the role he’ll play in Tampa is perfectly suited to free up the other players.
Final Thought
There are some quality backfield defenders and running backs left after the third round. With the Buccaneers starting Antoine Winfield Jr and Ryan Neal at safety they can grab a player with potential that needs to grow later. Same with corner as Jamel Dean is returning. Also given the additional draft capital with the trade in this mock there is plenty of fire power to move into the late third early fourth round.
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