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Buccaneers 7-Round NFL Mock Draft after re-signing Jamel Dean, trading Shaq Mason

By Josh Hill

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Tyjae Spears #22 is congratulated by Dorian Williams #2 of the Tulane Green Wave after a touchdown during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Tyjae Spears #22 is congratulated by Dorian Williams #2 of the Tulane Green Wave after a touchdown during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Round 5

Pick Analysis. 153. player. 2115. Scouting Report. LB. Tulane. Dorian Williams

Other Available Options:

  • Cam Jones (LB, Indiana)
  • YaYa Diaby (EDGE, Louisville)
  • Moro Ojomo (DL, Texas)
  • Stetson Bennett IV (QB, Georgia)

There’s a theme developing here where the Bucs go heavy on bulking up the defensive depth rather than trying to overcorrect the offensive woes from last season.

Simply put, what went wrong in 2022 is not going to be fixed by rookies learning under a first-time coordinator. The process is going to be a little more thought out than that, and will involve things like bringing in a veteran quarterback who can challenge Kyle Trask and either help him grow or prove he’s not cut out to lead the team.

Plus, the top pick was used on a potential left tackle.

Tama Bay could realistically dip into the wide receiver class here, but Tulane’s Dorian Williams offers a bit more value. While Dean is coming back, there’s no guarantee that Lavonte David will. Even if he does, he’ll be 33 years old and entering the twilight of his career. David is still playing at a very high level but at some point, he’s going to slow down and the Bucs need to have a plan outside of Devin White in place for when that happens.

Could that be Williams?

Picks this late in the draft are essentially lottery tickets, so it’s a lower-risk gamble than it seems. Even if Williams doesn’t turn into a guy who can step in for David, he could develop into a perfectly serviceable player who offers some depth at linebacker.

Scouting Report. DL, Coastal Carolina. Jerrod Clark. 5th. player. 2464. Pick Analysis. Pick 179

Other Available Options:

  • Eric Gray (RB, Oklahoma)
  • Luke Haggard (LT, Indiana)
  • Jake Andrews (C, Troy)
  • Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR, West Virginia)

Another depth piece for the Bucs on the defensive line, this time moving things to the interior. Vita Vea is fantastic, but he can’t do it all. With Akiem Hicks likely gone in free agency, that leaves Logan Hall and Mike Greene with no help behind Vea at nose tackle.

The Bucs could go offensive line here, but the need for depth on the other front line should be addressed first. Besides, the Bucs have a bunch of young offensive lineman on the roster they already like so moving the focus to the other side of the ball makes sense.

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