National outlet projects Bucs making a trade in latest mock draft that simply doesn't make sense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2025 offseason with a pretty good idea of where they need to improve in order to take the next step and return to the Super Bowl.  

That's largely on the defensive side of the ball, and it goes through all three levels of the defense.  The team is in dire need of a starting edge rusher and could be in the market for a starting inside linebacker if Lavonte David does not return next year.  Depth behind David and SirVocea Dennis, as well as across the secondary, needs dramatic improvement as well. 

As such, it was curious to see how one national outlet projected the Bucs in their most recent mock draft, particularly with the bold move they made.  Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema has the Bucs trading down with Washington and taking offensive lineman Grey Zabel from North Dakota State.  

Sikkema had the following to say about the move. 

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht strikes me as someone who would like to get more picks on the heart of Day 2 of this draft, given that’s where the best value in the class lies, hence the trade with the Commanders.

Tampa Bay has big needs at edge defender and cornerback. There are a couple of options here for them, but the idea of Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Zabel forming a starting five is incredibly alluring. That has the potential to be the best offensive line in the league.

If the Bucs were filled with holes on both sides of the ball and could turn one player into two to help fill those needs, perhaps.  However, this is a Tampa Bay team that isn't far off from being a true contender, and they need impact players in particular areas. 

One of those players, Jalon Walker, could fill multiple roles on the defense as an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher.  The Bucs miss out on him here by moving down, as well as fellow Georgia Bulldog Mykel Williams, who could be a difference maker on the edge.  Both players would immediately help the defense, whereas the Buccaneers' offensive line was perfectly fine last season as one of the top units in the NFL. 

It would indeed be a disappointment to see something like this happen, even if Tampa Bay was to pick up an extra third round pick in the process.  The Bucs need this first round pick to be an immediate contributor that helps them get over the hump in 2025 and beyond. It's hard to see another interior offensive lineman doing that. 

We'll see if Jason Licht agrees once the Bucs are on the clock in April.