The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South four years on the bounce and have made the playoffs in the last five seasons. The team has been able to remain extremely consistent while turning over the roster. However, there are still key needs that the Buccaneers need to address if they are to progress further.
This 7-Round NFL Mock Draft looks at the needs the Buccaneers need to address and which players they could target throughout the 2025 NFL Draft.
7-Round Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Mock Draft
The Buccaneers head into the 2025 NFL Draft needing to upgrade on defense. They lack the elite pass-rushing threat that can take over games. Meanwhile, they need to retool the linebacker room with Lavonte David’s future undecided, and they also need to get more athletic in the secondary.
Round 1, Pick 19: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
Jalon Walker is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher and a defensive chess piece. The Georgia Bulldogs’ defender’s best reps come when rushing the passer, where his athleticism, bend, and arsenal of pass rush moves expose offensive linemen. Furthermore, in coverage, Walker has the intelligence to anticipate and the acceleration to maintain leverage.
In Todd Bowles’ scheme, Walker’s versatility can be maximized as he moves around as a defensive weapon. With a creative play-caller like the Buccaneers head coach, Walker’s advanced instincts and refined skill set can be leveraged to create opportunities for rushing the passer while also enhancing the overall performance of the defensive line.
Round 2, Pick 53: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Maxwell Hairston had the fastest time of any player at the 2025 NFL Combine, registering a hairraising 4.28-second 40-yard dash. That wouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone who has watched the Kentucky Wildcats’ tape. The 6’1”, 186-pound corner is ultra-explosive and offers ball-hawking skills.
MORE: 2025 NFL Combine Results By School
Instinctual, intelligent, and anticipatory in coverage, Hairston is ascending up draft boards and is expected to be picked in the first two rounds.
Round 3, Pick 84: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
At 6’4” and 214 pounds, Jayden Higgins is a powerful boundary wide receiver who catches everything. The Iowa State Cyclones receiver has a RAS of 9.87 and ran a blazing 4.47 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine, answering any lingering questions about his long speed.
Round 4, Pick 120: Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon
Jordan Burch is a versatile defensive lineman who operates with power and explosive movement. The 6’4”, 291 defensive end has unnatural athleticism for his size, and his ability to win with speed or strength while possessing a refined arsenal of skill moves gives him a high upside as a starter.
However, Burch doesn’t have the arm length to consistently create the leverage needed and he can struggle to shed blocks when opponents attack his chest.
Round 5, Pick 158: CJ West, DT, Indiana
A true nose tackle, CJ West is an underrated prospect who is refined, polished, and NFL-ready. The 6’4”, 316-pound defender possesses the strength profile to thrive on running downs but he also is more athletic than his size suggests.
At 316 pounds, @IndianaFootball defensive tackle CJ West ran an official 4.95-second 40-yard dash
West is just the ninth DT to weigh at least 315 pounds and run a sub-5.0 forty at the combine since 2003 pic.twitter.com/E2BZiaM7pL
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) February 27, 2025
The Indiana Hoosiers defensive tackle tested exceptionally well at the 2025 NFL Combine and became just the ninth defensive tackle to run a sub-five-second 40-yard dash (4.95) since 2003.
Round 7, Pick 237: Joshua Simon, TE, South Carolina
Joshua Simon was another 2025 NFL Combine standout. While he is undersized at 6’4” and 239 pounds, he offers elite athleticism to create separation. And while he may not have prototypical size, he has exceptional length.
KEEP READING: Scouting Reports on the Top 100 Prospects
His 4.66 40-yard, 38” vertical jump, and 10’4” broad jump all ranked second among tight ends.
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