With less than a month now until the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, this week marks the perfect opportunity to throw our hats in the ring as savvy Mock Drafters. Entering the Draft, the Buccaneers hold seven picks, 1 of which was picked up through the NFL’s proprietary compensation system based on players lost in free agency.
NOTE: During this scenario, Tampa Bay trades the 92nd overall pick plus a 2025 7th rounder to the Baltimore Ravens in return for the 113th and 130th pick this year, respectively. Team needs in no particular order are EDGE, CB, WR, Center, and OL (Guard).
Round 1/#26- Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) Alabama absolutely creates speed on defense, and this top corner is no exception. At 5’11”, 199 lbs, McKinstry is rangy and smothers receivers off the blocks. An excellent run defender with an eye for the ball, he will fit in like a puzzle piece in Todd Bowles’ defense.
Kool-Aid McKinstry went to Isiah Pachecos school of running, I see. pic.twitter.com/rSrYut3nK4
— The Mock Draft Guy ™️ (@MockDraftGuyYT) March 20, 2024
Round 2/#57- Zach Frazier (OC/WVU)
The Bucs opt not to gamble on being able to secure a Center in later rounds here, taking the wide-bodied Frazier at 57. Quick to diagnose pre-snap with twitchy feet, this young man has potential to become a top lineman in the League with some coaching, with his only real weakness being shorter than average arms.
Round 3/#89- Roman Wilson (WR/Mich)
An instant addition to Baker Mayfield’s arsenal of weaponry at WR, Wilson is coming off a monster Senior year where he managed twelve touchdowns and a 16.4 yard average per reception in a National Championship offense that was primarily a “run-first” scheme. At 5’10”, he won’t be battling Mike Evans for WR1 designation, but with legitimate breakaway speed packaged with his instant acceleration, he could easily have one of the standout seasons amongst the best receiver class of any draft the last decade has seen.
Every team could use a Roman Wilson pic.twitter.com/1PhUA8d3qY
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) March 23, 2024
Round 4/#113 (via Ravens)
Brandon Coleman (Guard/TCU) Mammoth size isn’t all that Coleman has in his bag, though at 6’4″, 313 lbs it is surely welcome. The best Horned Frogs prospect this draft, he is fleet footed and has a reputation for being impossible to disengage from once he gets hands on defenders. Starting three years at TCU in a pass heavy offense will give him a leg up as a rotational lineman with starting potential, that also has the ability to kick inside to tackle in a pinch.
Round 4/#125- Kalen King (CB/PSU) With the loss of Carlton Davis III to Detroit, bolstering the secondary was a given entering this draft. King is one of the best route mirroring corners in this class, with fast reaction times to WR breaks and good discipline resulting in him not getting beat downfield often. King’s only perceived weakness is in tackling, yet a Bowles’ led defense and teammates like Antoine Winfield Jr. should help whip him into shape in that regard.
Kalen King ???????????? https://t.co/O01j3ZnqMp
— Quick (@raider_level) March 26, 2024
Round 4/#130 (via Ravens)
Zion Tupuola-Fetul (EDGE/Washington)
Best available EDGE at this point in the Draft, Tupuola-Fetul has incredible athleticism and fits as a great speed-rusher. He has experience dropping into coverage which is a staple of Bucs’ rushers, but is a little slow in his hand fighting with lineman, so can be had off the ball. An extremely high ceiling for a player used to the bright lights, this newly acquired pick could be a useful one early for Tampa Bay.
Round 6/#220- Prince Pines (OG/Tulane)
A high-experience lineman with a girthy build, Pines has logged snaps at two major D1 schools, including Baylor, meaning he has seen some monster defenders attack his squad. He has a proclivity to move with the pocket and sets his pad level well, but has deficiencies in his speed and discipline. He will need some TLC under the tutelage of Tampa Bay’s line coaches. Depth is key at a position where injuries could (and will) happen at any time.
Round 7/#246- Carson Steele (RB/UCLA)
Steele is picked here as a strong downhill runner that runs angry toward defensive secondaries. He had a monster sophomore season at Ball State, prompting a transfer to UCLA this past year where he caught the eyes of NFL scouts early on. Regularly bench pressing 405 lbs, the 6’0″, 228 pound back can bring some “pop” into the Buccaneers’ ground game while also having the added ability to catch the ball well. He is “nearly impossible” to tackle one-on-one in space, so fits here as a depth RB with good high-side.
Thanks for checking out our first Mock Draft! Stay tuned to Sports Club Florida for more on your favorite Florida sports teams as well as more updates on the Bucs!
