Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
The Buccaneers draft history is better than you think. But due to their successful season where Baker Mayfield led them to the playoffs in 2023, they will be drafting later than normal in the first round on Thursday night.
Last year with the 19th over all pick they chose Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey who had a low-key great rookie season. Still, to this day not many people but diehard fans could name him.
When you review the Buccaneers draft history it produces a long list of quarterbacks and defensive players. We think they might draft on the defensive side of the ball again this year with needs at corner and edge rusher. But they are so far back they may have to let the draft come to them and take the best player available.
So, with more Buccaneers draft history in the making this week let's look back in time with Buccaneers draft history trivia on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.
BUCCANEERS DRAFT HISTORY TRIVIA
- Name the Bucs first ever draft pick in 1976 (Hint: There is a highway named after him in the Tampa area)? Lee Roy Selmon
- In 1978 they chose a QB out of Grambling who went on to win a Super Bowl with Washington? Doug Williams
- In 1987 the Bucs used the first pick to take this Heisman winning QB from the U? Vinny Testaverde
- In 1995 the Bucs struck gold – twice. With two picks in the first round they landed two future Hall of Fame defenders who both won a Super Bowl together under Jon Gruden? Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks
- In 1999 Tampa drafted an LSU DT who later became a broadcaster but he is named after something you would pull out of your nose? Booger McFarland
- In 2005 the team drafted an SEC running back who was nicknamed after a car? Cadillac Carnell Williams
- In 2014 the Bucs drafted this Aggie WR who keeps putting up 1000 yard seasons? Mike Evans
- In 2015 the team used the top pick in the draft on a player who was the youngest ever to win the Heisman? Jameis Winston
- In 2018 the team drafted a gritty NT from Washington? Vita Vea (Tevita Tuli aki ono Tuipulotu Mosese Vah ae Fehoko Faletau Vea
- What pick do the Bucs have Thursday night? 26
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Targets
The NFL Draft is difficult to predict. But by looking at Mock Draft's we can see some of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft targets.
This offseason was a fork in the road moment for the Bucs. Franchise cornerstones Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. both could have left Tampa this offseason. But the team figured out a way to keep them both around and have enough money to resign quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Even though those are the high profile moves that will garner much of the attention from the national media, the team also made other significant moves.
They found their replacement for Shaw Barrett in Randy Gregory who played for Denver and the 49ers last season. They've brought in CB Bryce Hall from the Jets to compete for the CB2 role following the departure of Carlton Davis. They also beefed up their offensive line with 3 signings; Ben Bredeson, Justin Skule, and Sua Opeta. Opeta is penciled in as a starter right now with Bredeson a backup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Order.
The Buccaneers are currently 26th in the 1st round. The Buccaneers hold 7 picks- 1 in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 7th plus 2 picks in the 3rd round; pick number 89 and 92.
Looking at the current roster construction for the reigning NFC South champions, and there is not a clear position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft targets. We will look at what different outlets have the Buccaneers taking in the 1st round. But there is not one position that is overwhelming.
It looks like Jason Licht and the Buccaneers are in a position where they can take the best player on the board or trade back if a team wants to get back into the 1st round.
There are some themes when looking at position groups that fit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft targets. Teams have figured out that you can't acquire enough talent on the offensive and defensive lines, and the Bucs are mocked to take their fair share of linemen.
Here are some Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Targets.
EDGE, Jared Verse FSU
Pro Football Focus mocked the Buccaneers taking pass rusher Jared Verse in the 1st round with their number 26 pick. PFF describes Verse falling to the Buccaneers as a dream scenario saying "There aren’t many better scenarios for the Buccaneers than somehow coming away with Jared Verse at Pick 26." The Buccaneers have invested heavily in their defensive line in recent memory. They've taken Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the 1st round since 2018. This pick makes perfect sense is Jason Licht has shown he loves taking play makers on the defensive front in the 1st round.
EDGE, Laiatu Latu UCLA
USA Today has the Buccaneers taking another pass rusher. Laiaty Latu out of UCLA is the reigning PAC-12 defensive player of the year and the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award for the nation's best defensive player. This seems to be the spot in the draft that pass rushers start to show the depth of this year's class. Remember that Jason Licht has taken a ton of defensive players in the 1st round since he took over as GM. And now that the division boasts Kirk Cousins, getting pressure on him should be a huge priority in Tampa.
OT, Amarius Mims UGA
The Buccaneers are not desperate for an offensive lineman. But if Mims is on the board at 26, this might be my favorite pick for them. This year's tackle class is one of the deeper one's in recent memory with up to 7 potentially taken in the 1st round. Coming out of Georgia leads me to believe that Mims is a ready made pro. Maybe it's Mims, or maybe it's another offensive linemen the Bucs target here, but I like the idea of going offensive line for a team that was middle of the pack in 2023.
OL, Graham Barton DUKE
Both The Ringer and Tankathon have mocked Barton to the Buccaneers. Barton is described as a good offensive lineman with good feet that allows him to play any of the interior offensive line spots. Some might see Duke and think "no thanks". But remember how good Duke was in 2023 under Mike Elko, who is now at Texas A&M. I like my offensive linemen to be smart and able to work on the fly. Barton should be able to do that with his academic background. Like Mims, an opportunity to get better in front of Baker is a great idea.
