Early 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Which prospects should already be on the Buccaneers radar?
By Josh Hill
We're less than a day removed from another NFL Draft wrapping up, so what better time to already be looking ahead to the future?
The dust still needs to settle on this most recent class, one that seems the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added some potentially key players. Graham Barton plugged a major hole in the center of the offensive line, Jalen McMillan might be the steal of the class, and Bucky Irving could form a nice backfield duo with Rachaad White.
We still need to see what the Buccaneers' rookie class is capable of, but the bar has been set high based on what guys like Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby did last year. Could the same conversation be happening this time next year when it comes to Barton, McMillan, and Chris Braswell?
Way too early 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Not only is it hard to pick out which prospects will be at the top of the board next year but it's also difficult to predict what the order will look like. Lest we forget that this time last year the Bucs were being pegged as a Top 3 team that would be in the running for Caleb Williams, only to have their final game be in the NFC Divisional Round.
Most of this order is based on Super Bowl odds, with a few notable moves. There's a chance the New York Giants are the worst team in football next year, which would be the best thing for them. The Bucs should also be expected to win the NFC South until proven otherwise, so instead of picking No. 12 overall -- which is where they're being predicted to pick now -- they're a bit later in the first round.
The Giants getting the first pick would mean the potential to land Shedeur Sanders, who feels like a perfect fit not only on the roster but under the bright lights of New York City. Quarterbacks tend to go early but we probably won't see as many get drafted next year as we did this weekend.
Here's a way too early look at the 2025 NFL Draft that will absolutely in no way be wrong in 12 months -- because that's how sports works, right?
- New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
- New England Patriots: Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia
- Tennessee Titans: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
- Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
- Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, DB, Michigan
- Washington Commanders: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
- Minnesota Vikings: JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State
- New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Seattle Seahawks: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
- Indianapolis Colts: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
- Atlanta Falcons: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
- Cleveland Browns: Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
- Los Angeles Rams: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
- Chicago Bears: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- Los Angeles Chargers: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
- Miami Dolphins: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
- New York Jets: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
- Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Dallas Cowboys: Shemar Turner, DL, Texas A&M
- Philadelphia Eagles: Joshua Gray, OL, Oregon State
- Houston Texans: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
- Cincinnati Bengals: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
- Buffalo Bills: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
- Detroit Lions: Collin Oliver, LB, Oklahoma State
- Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones, OL, LSU
- San Francisco 49ers: Denver Harris, CB, LSU
- Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
As far as prospects the Buccaneers should be already keeping an eye on, it's more of a big picture look at certain position groups.
We know which areas of the roster still need to be addressed after the 2024 NFL Draft, and there's a chance that's still the case next offseason. Linebacker is a huge need simply based on the fact that Lavonte David is going to retire at some point and there's no clear heir to his throne.
Barrett Carter from Clemson and Smael Mondon out of Georgia could be guys to watch closely during the next college football season. The same goes for Benjamin Morrison and Denzel Burke, both of whom porject to be the second and third cornerbacks off the board next year and would help the Bucs land a huge piece for the secondary moving forward.
Of course, this is all the purest form of speculation. This time last year a few names were right in terms of being top picks as Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Drake Maye were Top 5 selections, but the rise of Jayden Daniels was harder to predict.
Who knows what the board will look like in a year, but it's a safe bet to assume that no matter what happens Jason Licht will find a way to land the right guy for the job in Tampa Bay.