Buccaneers post-Thanksgiving NFL Mock Draft completely reboots the defense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the fringes of the NFC postseason picture, but they are also saddled with a few holes that are so egregious it may be difficult to overcome them in the 2024 season. The resurgent Baker Mayfield can only do so much to overcome a roster that is starting to fall apart.

The Buccaneers have been beset by Todd Bowles' defense breaking apart at the seams. The lack of a quality pass rush and deep secondary has overshadowed the fact that Tampa Bay still needs some more impact names on their offensive line. Jason Licht has done well lately, but he has not built an irrefutably title-level team.

Tampa Bay could easily leapfrog the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South if they manage to nail the 2025 NFL Draft. Following this strategy could help them land multiple impact starters at positions of need. Another division title may not be too far in the windshield.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

1st Round: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Bucs have no viable edge rushers right now, as Anthony Nelson's three sacks are the most of any defensive end on this roster. At 285 pounds with 15 sacks in the last two seasons, Scourton is the type of versatile defensive lineman Bowles has typically picked high in the Draft over the years.

Scourton is not going to set any speed records due to his hulking frame, but he will put pressure on opposing tackles with his length and power while standing out as the best edge-setting run defender at his position. Scourton may have the highest floor of any pass rusher in what has become a fairly strong class.

2nd Round: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

Burke has been sliding a bit this season, as he has gone from a first-round lock to a player who will likely be picked in the top half of the second round. Tampa Bay should be overjoyed if Burke ends up in their range, as it is by no means ridiculous to imagine him as a starting corner in the NFL instantly.

Burke can be a bit of a gambler, which leads to some big completions. Even with that, Tampa Bay will likely have no problems rolling the dice on a 6-1, 200-pound corner that is aggressive at the line of scrimmage and arguably the best run support tackler in this entire class.

3rd Round: Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama

Alabama is one of the best programs in the country for producing quality offensive linemen, and Kalen DeBoer is doing a good job of keeping Nick Saban's expertise in this area alive. Brailsford is undersized at under 300 pounds, but Day 2 is still a good spot for him due to his fairly impressive mobility.

Brailsford, who followed DeBoer from Washington to Tuscaloosa, has shown exceptional athletic ability, quality pass blocking, and the mean streak you need to play on the interior in the pros. Tampa Bay doesn't have a dire need on the interior offensive line, but they could pick him up as a developmental stash.

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