3 underrated moves Buccaneers made in 2023 offseason
By Josh Hill
Using majority of draft picks on defensive players
Before the NFL Draft, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Bucs would be spending a top pick on an offensive player. Given how bad the unit was, specifically the offensive line, it slanted mock drafts toward guys like Broderick Jones and Darnell Wright.
Instead, the Bucs continued an offseason trend of zagging when everyone expected them to zig and took Pitt's Calijah Kancey with the No. 19 overall pick. Using picks on the defensive side of the ball would be something the Bucs repeated four more times before the draft was over.
Tampa Bay ended up using five of its seven picks on defensive players, which went against expectations but could end up being another masterstroke by Jason Licht.
Kancey looks like a stud, and is in a position not unlike Neal where he might benefit from playing next to a Pro Bowler in Vita Vea. Beyond their top pick, the Bucs might have struck gold with guys like Yaya Diaby, SirVoccea Dennis, and Jose Ramirez. All three guys fill potential future positions of need, and all possess sleeper talent that could develop into impact value as they settle into their roles.
The Bucs also added cornerback Josh Hayes from Kansas State to potentially replace Sean Murphy-Bunting as the team's nickel corner.
Noticing a trend?
Rather than panic and overreact to an uncharacteristically bad offense last season, the Bucs reloaded on the side of the ball they've always had more impact. Defense won the team a Super Bowl in 2020 and seems to be a key part of the strategy in making Tampa Bay competitive in 2023. Spending a majority of the team's draft picks on defensive players not only replenishes the talent pool this year but might set the team up for the future as well.