NFL Draft 2023 live tracker: Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft picks and trades [Updated]

Keep track of the latest Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft picks and trades throughout all seven rounds of the NFL Draft 2023. 

All offseason long the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were bounced around different rumors depending on which way the winds were blowing.

When Tom Brady retired, experts immediately predicted the team would trade up to draft his replacement. Once that became illogical, the Bucs were projected to look at guys like Michael Mayer or Bijan Robinson to bolster the offense for Kyle Trask. After Baker Mayfield was signed and some free agents left, Tampa Bay was pegged as a destination for a top offensive tackle.

Simply put, the Bucs have run the gauntlet of options and there still doesn’t seem to be one single strategy locked in.

The closest thing to a consensus seemed to be the Bucs drafting a tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft, but that’s just scratching the surface of how this weekend can reshape Tampa Bay’s roster.

One thing the Bucs won’t be doing is tanking, which was the default for some after Brady retired and things looked rather grim in terms of financial flexibility. Tampa Bay managed to untangle a $55 million salary cap knot and established a seriousness about competing next season rather than hoping for a top pick.

That’s something that informed the draft strategy this weekend, as the Bucs leaned into reloading rather than rebuilding — something that was reflected in the choices the team made.

NFL Draft 2023 tracker: Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft picks and trades (Updated)

Round 1

Grade: B+

Analysis: First off, thank the football gods the Bucs didn’t draft Will Levis. It was looking like that might be the temptation but instead, Tampa Bay reloaded on the defensive front and gave Todd Bowles a monster to run with Vita Vea.

Outside of Vea, there’s not a whole lot to write home about but with Kancey they have a guy who is (unfairly) being compared to potentially being an Aaron Donald clone. That’s a bit outrageous to dump on a rookie, but the bottom line is that Kancey is good. In a division that just added Bryce Young and Bijan Robinson tonight, and welcomed Derek Carr in free agency, the Bucs best bet to remain competitive is to do so defensively.

Round 2

The Buccaneers originally had the No. 50 pick in the second round, but traded up two spots with the Green Bay Packers to select at No. 48 instead. To get up a few spots, the Bucs gave up the 179th pick, which is one they got from the Houston Texans as part of the Shaq Mason trade.

No. 48 Pick: Cody Mauch, OT/North Dakota State

Grade: B+

Analysis: There are two ways to look at this, from an X’s and O’s standpoint and the eyeball test. For the latter, all you need to know is that the Bucs drafted a burly offensive lineman who is missing his front teeth — let’s freaking go.

On a more serious note, Mauch is a fantastic run-blocking lineman who seems to fit in with what new offensive coordinator Dave Canales will want to do with the backfield game. The Bucs had one of the worst and most pitiful run games in the entire league last year, and Canales, along with Skip Peete, is looking to fix that. Mauch is good news for Rachaad White who assumed RB1 duties this offseason and is looking to have a breakout year last the team’s starting running back.

Something to keep an eye on is that Mauch was announced as a tackle but projects more like a guard. Either way, the Bucs have a new piece to plug in on the offensive line, and hopefully a guy who can help Tristan Wirfs usher in a new era.

Round 3

Grade: B

Analysis: There’s a lot to love about this pick, especially if you read into the knee jerk reactions from experts. Jordan Schultz was told that Diaby is like Tyreek Hill as a linebacker, which is obviously something you love to hear.

Diaby was pegged as a potential replacement for Lavonte David in some mock drafts, but he could be a guy who ends up taking Devin White’s place if things don’t work out there. Either way, it sounds like the Bucs got a lightning fast dual-purpose outside linebacker who can bring the pass rush and disrupt at the second level.

Round 5

Grade: B-

Analysis: This is a sneaky pick for the Bucs, and one that might have happened thanks to the team scouting Calijah Kancey for the No. 19 pick. Looking at the defensive tape of Pitt will have no doubt shown SirVocea Dennis flying around the middle of the secondary and causing problems.

Tampa Bay needs to replenish the line backing corps both for this upcoming season and setting up for potential exits of Devin White and Lavonte David over the next few seasons. Dennis is in a really excellent spot to be a lowkey sleeper on Todd Bowles defense this year.

The Buccaneers acquired the No. 171st pick from the Los Angeles Rams.

• Rams get: No. 175th Pick, No. 252nd pick
• Bucs get: No. 171st pick

Grade: C+

Analysis: It’s been touted as a deep and talented tight end class, and Durham seems to be firmly in the middle of the pack. He’s not a fast tight end, but he’s big and long which will help add some value to the depth chart.

That being said, Cade Otton is going to get a legit shot at proving he’s a TE1 this year, with Durham probably more of a depth piece than anything else.

Round 6

This pick was owned by the Buccaneers before the draft, but originally belonged to the Indianapolis Colts. Tampa Bay got it in the Grant Stuard trade a year ago.

Grade: C+

Analysis: Tampa Bay missed out on grabbing one of the top safeties or cornerbacks in the draft this year, but didn’t skip over addressing the position. Josh Hayes played a lot of nickel with Kansas State last year, and should be a guy who can come in and provide some rotational depth all over the secondary. The Bucs need a solid CB3 to play behind Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III, and could use Hayes to rotate with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal at safety.

The Bucs didn’t originally own the No. 191st pick, but acquired it in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Eagles get: 2024 5th Round Pick
• Bucs get: No. 191st pick

Grade: B-

Analysis: While the Bucs traded up to draft a tight end in the fifth round, they might have landed the best skill position of their draft class with Trey Palmer. He has the potential to be a wicked vertical threat for Dave Canales’ offense and should compliment Mike Evans and Chris Godwin well. He also ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash at the combine, so he adds some speed to the offense.

Grade: C

Analysis: Picks this late in the draft are always lottery tickets, but the Bucs have found medium success in landing role players who add depth with third day picks. Ramirez is a strong pass rusher who has technique that Todd Bowles and his defensive staff should be able to fine tune. He’s a bit lightweight for his position and his short arms will be a knock, but he’s another solid addition at linebacker in a class where the Bucs clearly made padding the depth chart there a priority.