Buccaneers computer-simulated 2022 NFL mock draft

The 2022 NFL draft is an important one for the present, and future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nobody knows what will happen despite numerous man-made mocks, so maybe the computers can provide some clarity on what Buccaneers fans can expect come draft time.

Just as there are seemingly infinite mock drafts one can find whilst surfing the web, it’s shocking to see that there are almost as many simulators fans can do to pass that time waiting for the actual draft. The most efficient we could find during our surf-sesh was courtesy of Pro Football Network. After running multiple simulations, the results were remarkably similar.

Without further ado here is how the computers and #analytics folk think the draft will go for the Buccaneers.

Round One (27) – Perrion Winfrey, DT (Oklahoma)

Games are won and lost in the trenches, and it just so happens the Buccaneers currently have needs at guard and defensive tackle. With Ndamukong Suh still a free agent, and no replacement plan to speak of yet, what better time to find a potential long-term solution than the draft. Sure, guard may be the “bigger” current need, but in keeping up with the clichés, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Now, the selection of Winfrey here may be seen as a bit of a reach, but his size and athletics combo would slide in nicely to what the Bucs have in place currently in their front seven.

Round Two (60) – Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE (South Carolina)

Despite the mock having the Buccaneers go defensive line in round one, Enagbare in round two would be an incredible get. Enagbare is a natural pass rusher, and a good one, and possesses the strength that should pay off in dividends. Should he put on more weight, as scouts are expecting him to, he’ll be more of a swiss army knife-type. Enagbare can serve as a rotational pass-rusher while doubling as more of a natural defensive tackle. These are two roles the Bucs need, and Enagbare could fill them both with great aplomb.

Round Three (91) – Cole Strange, Guard (Chattanooga)

The guard spot was sure to be addressed at some point, as only Shaq Mason has been brought in to fill one of the vacant spots previously filled by Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa. That changes with Strange, the guard with a chip on his shoulder being the product of a smaller school, much like Marpet and Cappa. A perfect fit.

Round Four (133) – Alec Lindstrom, Center (Boston College)

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE. Perhaps not the Golden Eagle interior offensive lineman that Bucs fans were expecting, but we’ve touched on Lindstrom before, and he has the versatility and experience of playing multiple positions along the interior to give Robert Hainsey (whose own versatility the Bucs also love) a legit battle in camp for the vacant guard spot that will hopefully be addressed by the actual draft.

Round Seven (248) – Joey Blount, Safety (Virginia)

Fun fact: Todd Bowles was a former NFL safety. He must be feeling himself as the new head honcho because the Bowles Bucs have addressed the safety and then some in free agency. Come the draft, they will most likely keep at it with the secondary. Here, they find what could be a steal in Joey Blount, the bigger than normal safety out of Virginia.

Roun Seven (261) – Kontay Ingram, RB (USC)

Finally a running back. Running back is the most expendable position in all of sports, and while it is good to draft one young, you can’t do it too early due to the short lifespan of the position. In this mock, the Bucs wait all the way until the end to snag Kontay Ingram from Southern Cal. Fortunately, the Trojans have been known to churn out their fair share of quality NFL backs.

At the end of the day, nobody knows what Jason Licht, Bowles, and company (read Tom Brady with a little Bruce Arians) will do come draft time. Since we have until Thursday, there’s no harm in man turning to machine to stay entertained.