Buccaneers land two key pieces for Baker Mayfield in latest 7-round Mock Draft
By Brad Smith
Round 3, Pick 89: Roman Wilson, WR/Michigan
There's no doubt that Tampa Bay has one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. With legendary wideout Mike Evans re-signing on a two-year, $52 million deal in free agency, the Buccaneers return Evans and underrated slot receiver Chris Godwin on offense, who have combined for 14 1,000-yard seasons, the most of any active receiver duo.
Coupled with incoming second and third-year receiving options Trey Palmer and Cade Otten, and Tampa Bay has surrounded star QB Baker Mayfield with a good supporting cast on offense. With a crowded receiving room, receiver isn't the prominent need for Tampa Bay in the draft.
With respect to Otten and White, neither has shown the ability to play the role of a No. 3 receiver on an NFL team, and Evans and Godwin are entering their age 30-and-28 seasons, respectively. In the third round, the Buccaneers add Wilson, the top receiver on Michigan's national-champion winning team.
Following three underwhelming seasons from 2020-2022 with totals of 59 catches, 918 receiving yards, eight touchdowns, and 15.1 YPC in 31 games, Wilson blossomed in his senior season at Michigan. Starting in all 15 games, Wilson caught 48 passes, 789 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns (ninth in FBS), and 16.4 YPC, all team-and-career-highs.
Based on his stellar senior season, Wilson was named to the All-Big Ten Conference Second Team and was Michigan's Co-Offensive Skill Player of the Year. Catching 50+ yards in nine of 15 games, Wilson played an integral role in the Wolverines' perfect 15-0 season and Michigan's' ninth national championship in school history.
At 6'0 and 180 pounds, Wilson is one of the most athletic and explosive receivers and draft prospects in the class. Wilson has the long-strider acceleration to rocket into the open field and elongate space, as evident by his 4.39 40-yard dash in the 2024 NFL draft combine. That blistering speed allows Wilson to destroy zone defender leverage in the deep third part of the field, and would make the Buccaneers' passing attack much more explosive alongside Evans, Godwin, Otten, and White.