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NFL Draft: Best available players and potential targets for Buccaneers on Day 2

By Josh Hill

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 29: Josh Downs #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a touchdown catch against Erick Hallett II #31 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 42-24. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 29: Josh Downs #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a touchdown catch against Erick Hallett II #31 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 42-24. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Now that the frenzy of the first round is over, it’s time to look ahead and at who tops the NFL Draft best available players list for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into Day 2.

After months of speculation and throwing things against the wall, we finally saw how the first round of the NFL Draft played out. Bryce Young joined the NFC South after the Carolina Panthers called his name with the No. 1 overall pick, and from there, it was the exact amount of chaos we were all hoping to see.

Now that the frenzy of the first day is over, it’s time to start thinking about what the Bucs can do the rest of the weekend to try and build out the roster. It’s always fun watching the first round, but the draft is a marathon, not a sprint and now it’s time to settle in for the remaining two days of action.

Jason Licht and the Bucs front office have their work cut out, as the job isn’t over just because Calijah Kancey was landed at No. 19. Tampa Bay has two picks on Friday night — No. 50 and No. 82 — and there is a ton of talent left that can add value to both sides of the ball depending on where they team leans.

Ahead of Day 2 kicking off, let’s take a look at some of the best available options left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NFL Draft best available players after Round 1 (Updated)

This isn’t a comprehensive list, rather it’s a snapshot of who the best available players are at each position. There are other players — obviously, because the draft still has four more rounds on Saturday — but this is a look at who tops the list and could be targeted on the second day of the draft.

For the Buccaneers, targets on the second day will likely include finding a safety or linebacker and perhaps targeting the running back pool to help compliment Rachaad White. One of the more surprising developments in the first round was the free fall that Will Levis experienced. There was a less than two percent chance he’d last until the 20s, and he’s still on the board as Day 2 begins.

Tampa Bay passed on him at No. 19 — rightfully so — but could be tempted to circle back if he’s still there at No. 50.

There were a few other surprises as well, with potential targets for the Bucs like Michael Mayer, Joey Porter Jr., and Brian Branch still available as well after the first round.

NFL Draft Best Available Quarterbacks

  • Will Levis, QB/Kentucky
  • Hendon Hooker, QB/Tennessee
  • Tanner McKee, QB/Stanford
  • Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB/UCLA
  • Jake Haener, QB/Freseno State
  • Clayton Tune, QB/Houston
  • Stetson Bennett, QB/Georgia

Of those guys, it’s likely that maybe only Levis and Hooker end up as Day 2 picks. Clayton Tune and Tanner McKee are sleepers for the second day but everyone else seems like a solid third day

NFL Draft Best Available Running Backs

  • Zach Charbonnet, RB/UCLA
  • Devon Achane, RB/Texas A&M
  • Tyjae Spears, RB/Tulane
  • Tank Bigsby, RB/Auburn

NFL Draft Best Available Wide Receivers 

  • Josh Downs, WR/North Carolina
  • Tank Dell, WR/Houston
  • Jalin Hyatt, WR/Tennessee
  • Cedric Tillman, WR/Tennessee
  • Rashee Rice, WR/SMU
  • Marvin Mims, WR/Oklahoma

NFL Draft Best Available Tight Ends

  • Michael Mayer, TE/Notre Dame
  • Darnell Washington, TE/Georgia
  • Sam LaPorta, TE/Iowa State
  • Luke Musgrave, TE/Oregon State
  • Tucker Kraft, TE/South Dakota State
  • Luke Schoonmaker, TE/Michigan

NFL Draft Best Available Offensive Tackles

  • Dawand Jones, OT/Ohio State
  • Cody Mauch, OT/North Dakota State
  • Matthew Bergeron, OT/Syracuse
  • Nick Saldiveri, OT/Old Dominion
  • Tyler Steen, OT/Alabama

NFL Draft Best Available Interior Offensive Lineman

  • O’Cyrus Torrence, OG/Florida
  • John Michael Schmitz, C/Minnesota
  • Steve Avila, OG/UCLA
  • Luke Wypler, C/Ohio State
  • Joe Tippmann, C/Wisconsin
  • Chandler Zavala, OG/NC State
  • Sidy Sow, OG/Eastern Michigan
  • Andrew Vorhees, OG/USC
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