Ranking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ last five draft classes isn’t exactly a chore. Unlike some teams, Tampa has found legitimate cornerstone players almost every year—particularly on Days 1 and 2. The roster might not be flawless (see: pass defense), but the front office deserves credit for retooling around Baker Mayfield and remaining competitive.
One class clearly takes the top spot. The rest? Let's find out below:
Power ranking Buccaneers' last 5 draft classes
No. 5: 2021 draft class
- Round 1: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (OLB, Washington)
- Round 2: Kyle Trask (QB, Florida)
- Round 3: Robert Hainsey (OL, Notre Dame)
- Round 4: Jaelon Darden (WR, North Texas)
- Round 5: K.J. Britt (LB, Auburn)
- Round 7: Chris Wilcox (DB, BYU), Grant Stuard (LB, Houston)
We kick things off with the most underwhelming class of the bunch, headlined by Robert Hainsey—now a Jacksonville Jaguar. Hainsey is a solid interior lineman, but not a difference-maker. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has been a serviceable rotational pass rusher, though it’s clear at this point that his ceiling isn’t much higher. That’s pretty much the story here: a few contributors, no standouts.
No. 4: 2024 draft class
- Round 1: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
- Round 2: Chris Braswell (LB, Alabama)
- Round 3: Tykee Smith (DB, Geogia)
- Round 4: Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington)
- Round 5: Bucky Irving (RB, Oregon)
- Round 6: Elijah Klein (OG, UTEP)
- Round 7: Devin Culp (TE, Washington)
This is the Bucky Irving class. That’s the headliner, and rightfully so. He was electric from the jump, giving the Bucs instant juice in a backfield that badly needed it. But there’s more here than just Irving. Graham Barton was fine. Jalen McMillan flashed some WR2 upside late in the year. Even Devin Culp made some noise down the stretch.
If Tykee Smith builds on his strong rookie year and Chris Braswell takes a second-year leap, this class could easily climb. Smith is expected to switch back to safety next season, potentially making this ranking look foolish this time next year. For now, it sits at No. 4—but it's got the legs to make a sizable jump in the near future.
No. 3: 2023 draft class
- Round 1: Calijah Kancey (DL, Pittsburgh)
- Round 2: Cody Mauch (OT, North Dakota St.)
- Round 3: YaYa Diaby (DL, Louisville)
- Round 4: SirVocea Dennis (LB, Pittsburgh)
- Round 5: Payne Durham (TE, Purdue)
- Round 6: Josh Hayes (CB, Kansas St.), Trey Palmer (WR, Nebraska), Jose Ramirez (DL, Eastern Michigan)
This was a solid class, but it’s still too early to push it any higher than No. 3. Calijah Kancey and Cody Mauch are both starters and should continue to improve, but they haven’t quite reached game-changing status yet. YaYa Diaby showed real flashes as a rookie, but then underwhelmed a bit last year—as of now, he’s more potential than proven.
Trey Palmer might be the sleeper of the group, but even after his production dipped in his second season he looks like a reliable WR4 moving forward. Everyone else? Depth. There’s definitely value here, but not enough to outweigh the more established pieces from the other hauls. This group could age well—but for now, it stays right here.
No. 2: 2022 draft class
- Round 2: Logan Hall (DE, Houston), Luke Goedeke (OL, Central Michigan)
- Round 3: Rachaad White (RB, Arizona St.)
- Round 4: Cade Otton (TE, Washington), Jake Camarda (P, Georgia)
- Round 5: Zyon McCollum (DB, Sam Houston St.)
- Round 6: Ko Kieft (TE, Minnesota)
- Round 7: Andre Anthony (DE, LSU)
Is this a little high? Maybe. But Rachaad White, Luke Goedeke, and Cade Otton have all turned into legitimate contributors. That’s three solid starters from one class—not bad. White is a pretty decent dual-threat back even if Irving might take RB1 away from him. Goedeke has started 30 games over the past two seasons at right tackle, cutting his penalties from 2023 (10) in half in 2024. Otton is quietly becoming a reliable tight end for Baker Mayfield.
None of them are megastars (yet), but the volume of talent here is what pushes this class to No. 2. These guys aren’t just role players. They’re helping the Bucs win games right now.
No. 1: 2020 draft class
- Round 1: Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa)
- Round 2: Antione Winfield Jr. (S, Minnesota)
- Round 3: Ke'Shawn Vaughn (RB, Illinois)
- Round 5: Tyler Johnson (WR, Minnesota)
- Round 6: Khalil Davis (DT, Nebraska)
- Round 7: Chapelle Russell (LB, Temple), Raymond Calais (RB, Louisiana)
Is this truly surprising? Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. are clearly doing all the heavy lifting here, but even with just the two of them, it'd be close to impossible to unseat this class. Wirfs is widely considered the best OT in the NFL. He's only 26 years old and through five seasons, he has a Super Bowl ring, two All-Pro honors, and four Pro Bowl appearances. This guy is special.
Winfield Jr. is another player who's arguably the best in the league at his position. Through five seasons, the former second-round steal also has a Super Bowl ring, along with one All-Pro selection and one Pro Bowl nod. The rest of the class won't move the needle at all, but these two alone make this easily the best class out of the past five.