As the 2024 NFL season is just two months away, the majority of the focus for all 32 teams remains on the start of the season, with the hopes of hosting the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 59. In reality, only one team will accomplish that feat next February, and the remaining 31 teams will go back to the drawing board next offseason.
Although Tampa Bay may not win the Super Bowl next season, the team is set up to succeed once again led by Baker Mayfield in a considerably weak NFC South division. With the return of Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, and Antoine Winfield Jr., the Bucs have a solid chance to win their fourth straight division title and make another deep playoff run.
Even if Tampa Bay doesn't have as much success in 2024 as they did last season, the Bucs are still set up for success in the following seasons. Barring any potential trades between now and next April, Tampa Bay will have its own first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh-round picks to use in the 2025 draft.
The Bucs are without their own 2024 sixth pick because they traded it to Detroit along with cornerback Carlton Davis III for Detroit's third-round pick this year, which they used on wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Regardless, the Bucs are in a prime position to add young talent in the NFL draft with one of their six picks, and could even package multiple picks to land a top-tier prospect, such as these six stout players below.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Over the past two seasons, Michigan has held one of the best defenses in the nation, giving up just 13.2 points and 269.5 yards per game. Last season, the Wolverines' defense was historic, holding their opponents to 10.1 points and 247.0 yards per game, while giving up 13 points or less in 11 of 15 games, including in a 34-13 win versus Washington in the National Championship game.
Amid their perfect 15-0 season and 12th National Championship in school history, Michigan had 13 total players get drafted into the NFL. Of those 13 players, five were defensive players, including defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, cornerback Mike Sainristil, linebackers Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, and edge Jaylen Harrell.
Fortunately for head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, superstar cornerback Will Johnson will be returning to Ann Arbor to anchor the Wolverine's stout defense in 2024. Johnson, a four-star recruit out of Grosse Pointe South high school, has been nothing short of a true lockdown corner in his first two collegiate seasons.
As a true freshman in 2022, Johnson notched 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and three interceptions in 14 games. Per Pro Football Focus, Johnson had an overall defensive grade of 88.2 and an 88.9 grade in pass coverage, which ranked eighth in the nation. With that, Johnson shared honors with Illinois' Gabe Jacas for Defensive Freshman of the Year honors, while being named to the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention team.
This past season, Johnson broke out as Michigan's No. 1 corner, posting 27 tackles, four pass breakups, and four interceptions in 12 games while leading the nation with a 29.1 passer rating in his coverage. To no surprise, Johnson was an All-American, an All-Big Ten First Team selection, and was the Defensive MVP in the National Championship Game, intercepting future first-round pick Michael Penix on the first play in the second half.
At 6'2" and 202 pounds, Johnson has the ideal size to cover any wide receiver anywhere on the field. Coupled with his high football IQ and love of the game, and the 21-year-old Johnson could immediately slot in as a No. 1 cornerback on several NFL teams. The Bucs could be a top suitor for Johnson in 2025, especially if Zyon McCollum struggles in his starting role on the outside.