Mock draft season is in full swing with the NFL Draft now less than a month away. Speculation about which direction the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go with their draft class has become the watercooler topic.
Which direction the Buccaneers take could have a profound impact on what happens this season. The Buccaneers are going to get younger in a few spots, but some of those are critical for their success. The retirement of Lavonte David has left Jason Licht with a hole in the linebacker unit.
ESPN NFL insider Matt Miller dropped his full seven-round mock draft Monday morning, and gives fans a glimpse into what direction Tampa may be taking.
Matt Miller's seven-round mock draft will not make Baker Mayfield happy
Miller has the Bucs taking Georgia's linebacker CJ Allen with their 15th overall pick. If Allen is on the board, it would make a lot of sense. He is a solid fit with the defensive unit and gives Licht the replacement he needs for David. Despite signing Alex Anzalone in free agency, the linebacker unit needs some extra punch. Allen can provide that.
In round two, Miller sticks to the defensive side of the ball despite a need to replace Mike Evans. T.J. Parker is a solid edge-rusher. At pick 46, he is a good value. Licht brought in Al-Quadin Muhammad after an 11-sack 2025 season. The over 30 pass rusher will be more serviceable as a bridge to a young rookie.
Round three could provide the Buccaneers with their first true steal of the draft. Miller has them taking South Carolina cornerback Jalon Kilgore. Kilgore has been a quiet prospect that is sneaking up draft boards. He has a lot of development ahead of him, but his ceiling is higher than most. Getting him in round three will help improve the defense.
Miller doesn't see the Buccaneers using any of their day-one or day-two draft picks on offense. That won't help Mayfield, but improving the defense could indirectly create more opportunities for offensive drives.
Miller rounds out the draft with more imbalance. He believes the Buccaneers will use most of their selections on the defensive side of the ball. It's not balanced well.
- Pick 116 - LT Overton - DT - Alabama
- Pick 155 - Michael Trigg - TE - Baylor
- Pick 195 - Eric Rivers - WR - Georgia Tech
- Pick 238 - Luke Altmyer - QB - Illinois
Trigg is a developmental prospect that fans could fall in love with early. He has a lot of upside potential, and learning behind Cade Otton will help his progress. Rivers is a depth piece. Every prospect has potential, but Rivers is a late-round practice squad candidate.
Given the other needs on the team's roster, drafting Altmyer in round seven is a low-risk selection, but not one that needs to be made this year.