Martin Richardson’s Buccaneers Draft Plans

The main focus here is that the Buccaneers take that much needed corner right off the bat in round one, this case it’s Texas Longhorns Corner Jahdee Barron. Barron, winner of the Jim Thorpe award in 2024, provides the Buccaneers with some much-needed help in the secondary.

His ability to read the game and diagnose what is happening on the field will give the defense a boost to stop plays before they gain momentum; and we have seen how many yards the Buccaneers have allowed last season which was just poor. His 5 interceptions show that he has those ballhawk capabilities and will be a threat when quarterbacks look to make plays on a previous porous defensive secondary. I don’t think size is an issue for him as when you watch the tape, he has the ability to break the play with some big hits on some bigger players. He is a defensive dog and is exactly what the Buccaneers need to improve in the secondary.

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Into round 2 and for me, we have to look at the edge and defenseive ends for some impact players. Yes, we signed Hassan Reddick in free agency (let’s see how that goes) and Chris Braswell and Yaya Diaby who have played off the edge as outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense, but we need more for me. We saw that Joe Tryon Shoyinka was not the answer over the last few years and Licht cannot afford to hope that players come good.

Which leads me to potential day two pick, JT Tuimoloau. This year at Ohio State, he had 12.5 sacks and a total 22 tackles for a loss, as well as 2 forced fumbles. This guy could be a massive disrupter on defence to pair with someone like Reddick and Diaby and secure the position once an ageing Reddick moves on. I think an edge pick up in the second round is where the Buccaneers can get some real value.

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Now, if, and this a big if, the Buccaneers are sat at pick 84 and Chris Paul Jr is there and available, then make that call. Pair this rookie with Lavonte David and watch the magic happen. His Ole Miss stats are incredible and made him part of one of their best and most dominant defenses in recent history. He ended the 2024 season with some amazing individual stats: 88 total tackles, 50 of which were solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. This guy could be a steal in the third round if he is still there.

Speaking of a steal, Jaylen Reed, the safety from Penn State has some very high ratings from the likes of ESPN, and if he’s still available when the Bucs pick on day three, then they would be sensible to make this move.

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What a pick like this does is solidify the safety room and gives Antoine Winfield Jr some much needed support, but it all allows the Buccaneers to focus on Tykee Smith’s position play and focus on him being a nickel corner and not shift him to safety. Reed gives the Buccaneers an option who can lineup in multiple slots, which Coach Bowles loves, as well as someone who has that good football IQ who can quickly see what is happening on the field whilst maintaining those pursuit angles. With two interceptions and nearly 100 total tackles in a full season for Penn State, Reed can be a great pick up for the Buccaneers.

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I’m not afraid to admit that I’m partial to double dipping at a position, and when it comes to linebacker, the Buccaneers need as much support as they can get, and Danny Stutsman ticks that box. With over 100 combined tackles at Oklahoma in 2024, 8 tackles for loss and a sack, Stutsman’s football IQ has made him a great player against the run but also a great weapon when used in a blitz formation, and we all know what Coach Bowles loves to do when given the opportunity. Whilst he may not be a starter from minute one for the Buccaneers, who better to learn from that the previously mentioned Lavonte David and create a nice transition phase for the Buccaneers linebacker room.

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What was that about double dipping? Anyway. Johnny Walker Jr. presents an interesting option here. Would he displace those already picked or already in the building? Not yet. But the upside on a pick like this could be great. Whilst he isn’t the biggest, his 33-inch arms and ability to get to the quarterback, a total of 9.5 sacks for Missouri make him an intriguing option towards the end of the draft. Adding to the fact that he is a hometown boy from Tampa, the Buccaneers could do a lot worse than drafting someone who has the upside to produce when called upon.

Option 2:

This is my personal favourite. If we get the picks in round one and two, I’d be beyond delighted and may have a jersey on order very early on. As you can see, I’ve gone linebacker here and it’s the most sensible choice: Jihaad Campbell. Coming off his best season at Alabama, and a game that will haunt LSU for many years, Campbell had 117 total tackles and 5 sacks, Campbell is someone who would make an instant impact the pair alongside ageing veteran Lavonte David.

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What he brings to the table is an ability to read the game in coverage and make sure that those gaps are kept to a minimum, allowing for less yardage gained, which the Buccaneers struggled with last year. Coupled with his massive 6’3’’ frame, he can disrupt those passing lanes because of that imposing presence. Finally, he is as dependable as they come, having a 5.5% missed tackle rating, which is just outrageous.

Campbell himself has stated he can play anywhere as a linebacker, but next to Davis is where he is needed most. And who better to learn from in his rookie year. Campbell loves the big moments and there will be times in the Buccaneers season where that defense will need someone to step up when in previous years there hasn’t been anyone. This pick makes total sense for a Buccaneers front office who can rest easy knowing they have their next Lavonte David in someone like Campbell.

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Now what excites me in this option is that in round 2 I’ve managed to snag cornerback Azereye’h Thomas. Which would be outrageous. I will say now, I’m not sure he makes it to us at 53. But, with less than a week to go before the draft, I live in hope that he makes his way to Tampa. I know in my previous option I had the Buccaneers drafting Barron, but Thomas is someone I must have drafted to them at least twenty times, I just think he’s a great fit.

The Florida State recruit has the pace to cut down those angles and available space to impact potential throwing lanes, as well as changing positions in coverage to help limit offensive impact. His competitive nature against the run will also come in handy for the Buccaneers defense who would come up against the likes of Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs and Kyren Williams in 2025.

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Now as I know I said that it may be difficult to get the likes of Thomas in the second round of the draft for the Buccaneers, but perhaps picking up Lathan Ransom and later Sebastian Castro in the draft could well be dreamland if it all comes together for them. Ransom offers a threat due to his hard hitting and ability to be able to beat the blockers in a variety of positions (as a deep safety, in the box or nickel formations too). Ransom may also be useful for the Buccaneers on special teams as well, as he had a couple of blocked punts in his college career as well. But his 3 forced fumbles and 9 tackles for a loss will be what the Buccaneers are looking to add to their roster if they get the chance in the 2025 draft.

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If you said to Coach Bowles: ‘Do you want a player who has incredible blitzing ability, as well as the ability to switch it up with some quick reads?’ I’m sure he would bite your hand off. Enter Jeffrey Bassa. Some draft engines have him going higher than the 120+ predictions that I’ve seen, and this mock draft engine has him there for me to swipe him off the board. I am not complaining if this physical unit is available when the Buccaneers pick on day three of the draft. With 54 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks, Bassa could be one to watch as the season progresses for the Buccaneers, especially if they decide to draft Jihaad Campbell as well in round 1, but for me his upside is worth taking the chance on day 3.

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Now maybe if you consider picking up Lathan Ransom as a bit unrealistic, then getting Sebastian Castro here could well be a fairytale outcome for the Buccaneers. But, as we are a week away, I can live in hope that Bucs add two great safety prospects to help Antoine Winfield Jr, the second being Castro on day 3. Castro, originally a quarterback when he started playing the game, now he has a defensive mind and has an ability to bring some big hits and danger to the line when he gets moving to try and disrupt the game. He, like Ransom, could be a sneaky good pick for the Bucs if the opportunity comes around for Licht and Bowles when their picks arrive.

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With the last pick of this draft, I have the Buccaneers taking a Georgia centrepiece on defense, Nazir Stackhouse. Not only does he have a great name, but he has the ability to block field goals (just ask LSU) and get interceptions on the field as well. What appeals to me here is Stackouse’s ability to hold the line if he is double teamed, as if he is, that leaves space for defensive destruction with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, which can only be a good thing. Whilst he didn’t get many sacks in Georgia, anyone who is described as a ‘foundational’ piece in a dominant defensive unit gets my vote as a late round pick up. The upside could be incredible with a pick like this.

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And there we have it. My first, and second Buccaneers mock draft for 2025. I think there may be an element of hope with the second option with the likes of Thomas and Castro falling to those picks, but the first option also picks out some great players that improve the defense from day one.

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Martin Richardson’s Buccaneers Draft Plans was first posted on April 21, 2025 at 10:54 am.
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