NFL Draft 2024: Best players available Buccaneers should target on Day 2

Now that the first round of the NFL Draft is behind us, the real work begins for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Picking late in the first round historically hasn't gone well for Jason Licht, but he's only had to do it a few times. Where he might have failed with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall (who was a second round pick but only barely) he might have found a winner in Graham Barton.

That's what Bucs fans are hoping, as Barton helps fill a massive need, both figuratively and literally, in replacing Ryan Jensen at center. He played tackle at Duke, but Barton was touted as the top center prospect in the draft and he fell right into Tampa Bay's lap at No. 26.

Now the Bucs will turn their attention to the remaining three picks they have in the Top 100. With a center secured, Tampa Bay could look in any number of interesting directions to make sure they find the right guys.

NFL Draft 2024: Best players available Buccaneers should target on Day 2

Two glaring needs remain for the Buccaneers, both on defense.

Even before trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit the Bucs had serious questions about their secondary, but moving him bumps cornerback up on the list of areas to address. The good news is that some really great prospects are still on the board, led by Iowa's Cooper DeJean and Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Both were mocked to the Bucs or higher leading up to the draft, and they're still there for Tampa Bay to snag.

Cornerback

• Cooper DeJean, Iowa
• Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
• Mike Sainristl, Michigan
• Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
• T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
• Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
• Andru Phillips, Kentucky

The other defensive area the Bucs need to address is edge rusher. It was looking like guys like Jared Verse and Dallas Turner might surprisingly fall to Tampa Bay in the first round but that didn't happen. Instead, the Bucs can turn their attention to the pool of deeply talent Day 2 players to fill the need.

Particular interest should be paid to Marshawn Kneeland, who feels like a small school guy that Jason Licht loves to target. The same goes for Jalyx Hunt, but Bralen Trice could be a name to watch as well. After all, Licht has a pretty good track record of grabbing Washington defensive lineman.

Edge Rusher

• Adisa Isaac, Penn State
• Jonah Ellis, Utah
• Chris Braswell, Alabama
• Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
• Xavier Thomas, Clemson
• Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
• Austin Booker, Kansas
• Javon Solomon, Troy
• Bralen Trice, Washington

Thankfully the Bucs grabbed an offensive lineman in the first round, because the herd thins out fast on Day 2. There are only three guards projected to be Top 100 picks left, but all three seem like fits for Tampa Bay.

Offensive Guard

• Christian Hayes, UConn
• Cooper Beebee, Kansas State
• Mason McCormick, South Dakota State

Offense isn't the only side of the ball that could use some attention on the interior of its line. Todd Bowles loves to have big bodies rotating in and out of his defensive line, and Jer'Zahn Newton is perfectly built for that.

Some had Newton as a top defensive tackle in the draft, even above Byron Murphy II, and he's still on the board for Tampa Bay to potentially grab and add behind Vita Vea -- which is a terrfying thought for opposing offenses.

Defensive Tackle

• Jer'Zahn Newton, Illinois
• Braden Fiske, Florida State
• Kris Jenkins, Michigan
• Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
• Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

Don't count out the Bucs using one of their three remaining Top 100 picks luxuriously. Skill positions aren't high on the team's needs but Todd Bowles said he wanted another running back and the Bucs have a tricky situation coming up with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Furthering the idea that a wide receiver could be a pick for Tampa Bay is the sheer amount of talented ones left on the board. At one point Keon Coleman was talked about in the Top 15 as a replacement for Evans, but he's still on the board heading into Day 2.

The running back pool is even deeper. Jonathon Brooks is coming off a knee injury but is projected to be the top back in the class. Blake Corum ran his way to a national championship at Michigan, while Ray Davis could be a fit based on his knowledge of Liam Coen's offense.

Wide Receiver

• Adonai Mitchell, WR/Texas
• Troy Franklin, WR/Oregon
• Keon Coleman, WR/Florida State
• Roman Wilson, WR/Michigan
• Ladd McConkey, WR/Georgia
• Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
• Jermain Burton, Alabama
• Devontez Walker, North Carolina
• Javon Baker, UCF

Running Back

• Jonathon Brooks, Texas
• Blake Corum, Michigan
• Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
• Trey Benson, Florida State
• Bucky Irving, Oregon
• Ray Davis, Kentucky
• MarShawn Lloyd, USC

Armed with four picks in the Top 100, the Bucs are well positioned to have a fantastic second day of the draft and add to what is shaping up to be another great Jason Licht class.

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