As Baker Mayfield struggles, Buccaneers pegged for Pac-12 QB in mock draft

The transition at quarterback from future Hall of Famer Tom Brady to veteran journeyman Baker Mayfield makes most Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cringe. Through seven games, the short-term option unsurprisingly has played far below the level of his stellar predecessor.

Will the Bucs find a long-term answer at the position in the 2024 NFL Draft?

In the latest Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, Tampa Bay selects either Oregon's Bo Nix — a transfer from Auburn — or Washington's Michael Penix Jr. — a transfer from Indiana — with a mid-first-round selection. Both quarterbacks are Heisman Trophy contenders and figure to be high picks in what could be an extremely deep 2024 quarterback class. 

Nix is the most popular pick for Tampa Bay, per the PFF simulator, but is he first-round worthy? 

With 54 games at Oregon and Auburn, Nix will be one of the more experienced QBs in the draft. Playing at Auburn against stout SEC defenses, however, he often struggled with accuracy (59.4 completion %)  and seemed more of a disappointment than a game-changer. Against far less formidable Pac-12 defenses with Oregon, Nix has flourished (74.3 completion %).

The same red flag exists with Penix Jr. He played parts of four years at Indiana and was mostly forgettable as a passer (59.4% completion percentage). He blossomed in 2022 at Washington, where his completion percentage is 67.1% overall. 

If Tampa Bay drafts in the middle of the first round, both these QBs could be under consideration. The Buccaneers won't be bad enough to pick at the top of the draft, where Southern Cal's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye are expected to be selected. 

Neither Mayfield nor Kyle Trask  — who lost the starting job to Mayfield  — has done anything to make any Tampa Bay fan believe either is the long-term answer. You can't go anywhere in the NFL without an above-average quarterback. Look for the Bucs to find a long-term solution at the position on the first day of the draft on April 25, 2024.