2025 Draft Grade: BFew Draft prognosticators projected that the Bucs would select WR Emeka Egbuka in RD1 with a strong stable that includes Michael Evans, Chris Godwin and 2nd-year man Jalen McMillan - who show great improvement as a rookie. Particularly with major needs on the defensive line. But GM Jason Licht drafted to a position (WR) where he's had great success in the past.
This same strategy held true on Day 2 where the Bucs doubled down at corner, picking up Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Over the years, the
Bucs have done incredible well in selecting secondary studs in the mid-rounds. All six draftees (at CB and Safety) from 2018 and 2019 are
still in the NFL!
Edge, despite being a high need, is a position where the team has largely failed to draft impactful talent over the years. But the available options at #17 all had question marks. It's good to see the Licht didn't fall into the trap of
needing to draft to need. And it's It's not like the Egbuka pick doesn't have merit, consider the age of Evans and the injury history of Bucs' WRs in recent years.
On Day 3 the Bucs did add some prospective pass-rush help with small schooler David Walker (Central Arkansas) and SMU's Elijah Roberts. Roberts' pass-rush win rate percentage in true pass sets was 36.8% in 2024, on of the best in FBS football. Still, the lack of an adequate pass-rush stable will weigh as an indigence on the Bucs' defense. The secondary and IDL will need to overproduce to cover up.
Looking ahead - 2026 DraftEdge and linebacker are kicked down the road to the 2026 Draft. The Bucs brought in Haasan Reddick on a one-year deal to provide help at edge in 2025, and are hoping that 2024 draftee Chris Braswell can take a leap forward. At LB, aging Lavonte David is again being counted upon to paper over a leaky unit with yet another 1-year deal. These positions look to be the focus of the 2026 Draft.