Buccaneers 5-round 2024 mock draft: Jason Licht trades down and rebuilds offense
By Josh Hill
Round 3: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C/Oregon
Last year the Bucs were expected to rebuild the offense after Tom Brady retired, but the front office opted to go heavy on defensive replenishment in the draft.
That script flips this year, and rightfully so.
Keon Coleman is already an investment in improving the offense, but the real area the Bucs need to focus on is the offensive line. It's been a unit in steady decline over the last few seasons and it's time for a rebuild. With Tristan Wirfs over at left tackle, an argument could be made for the Bucs to stand pat if Joe Alt or Taliese Fuaga is on the board at No. 8 overall.
Luke Goedeke seems to be getting a real shot at proving he can be the right tackle of the future, and if the team passes on a top tackle it could use later rounds rebuilding the interior offensive line. Specifically, Ryan Jensen's time with the team seems to be over, as he's out for yet another season with a knee injury that might end his career. Tampa Bay needs a new center, and Jackson Powers-Johnson might fit the bill. He's put together a great season at Oregon with Bo Nix and could be the next big addition up front.
Another guy who could be an option if Powers-Johnson is off the board is Georgia's Sedrick Van Pran. Either guy fills a need for the Bucs, and addressing the future at center needs to be high on the priority list given how little the Bucs have right now to help them out.