{"id":841068,"date":"2026-03-29T15:17:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T15:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/841068\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T15:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T15:17:18","slug":"tampa-bay-overhauls-defense-in-major-roster-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/841068\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay overhauls defense in major roster upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> have done a solid job addressing some of their more pressing needs through free agency this offseason, adding Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom at inside linebacker, Al-Quadin Muhammad at EDGE, and A\u2019Shawn Robinson along the defensive line.<\/p>\n

Still, these moves feel more like short-term fixes than long-term solutions, and that\u2019s perfectly fine. The NFL Draft is where franchises find their cornerstones, and Tampa Bay is well-positioned to do exactly that. With a deep defensive class that happens to align perfectly with the team\u2019s biggest needs, this year\u2019s draft presents a golden opportunity to add impact players and build a foundation for long-term success in Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-Round Mock Draft\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 1: Trade with Steelers*<\/p>\n

Steelers Receive: Pick No. 15<\/p>\n

Buccaneers Receive: Pick No. 21, Pick No. 76, Pick No, 121<\/p>\n

The Steelers are one of the most well-positioned teams to make an aggressive move as they enter the draft with 12 picks. The Bucs are sitting in an ideal spot just head of the Jets, who hold the No. 16 pick. The Jets have been increasingly linked to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at their pick who has been gaining first-round buzz as of late.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Steelers are still waiting on a decision from 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and even if he comes back for one more season, Simpson could be an ideal succession plan. Tampa Bay picks up an extra third-rounder and fifth-rounder in a deep class to move back six spots as the Steelers jump the Jets.<\/p>\n

Round 1, Pick 21 (from Steelers): Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF<\/p>\n

Malachi Lawrence is already on many Bucs fans\u2019 radars after playing his college football in Florida at UCF.<\/p>\n

He has an array of pass rush moves, and recorded 20 sacks and three forced fumbles during his college career. He recorded 40 pressures in 2025 and earned an elite 89.5 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers need a player that they can unleash on day one to hunt opposing quarterbacks and Lawrence is that guy. He\u2019d be the perfect complement opposite YaYa Diaby and would provide an immediate boost to Tampa Bay\u2019s defensive front.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 2: Trade with Bengals*<\/p>\n

Buccaneers Receive: Pick No. 41\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bengals Receive: Pick No. 46, Pick No. 155, 2027 5th-rounder<\/p>\n

After trading down in the first round and receiving some extra ammo, the Bucs can now afford to move up in Round 2 and ensure they don\u2019t miss out on their guy.<\/p>\n

Round 2, Pick 41 (from Bengals): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Back in 2012, the Buccaneers were aggressive and moved up ten spots to land Lavonte David in the second round. 14 years later, Jacob Rodriguez is the type of player worth moving up for as a successor to David and potential franchise cornerstone.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve read my mock drafts before, this isn\u2019t a surprise. This is my fifth Buccaneers mock draft of the offseason, and the fifth time I\u2019ve brought Rodriguez to Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

What made Lavonte David so special during his 14-year career <\/a>was his leadership, instincts, football IQ, and knack for creating turnovers. Rodriguez checks all of those boxes, and it\u2019s why he\u2019s the perfect successor for David.<\/p>\n

The Bucs have been burned before betting on potential over proven production, and they can\u2019t afford to make that mistake with Rodriguez. He enters the draft after recording over 300 total tackles, six sacks, six interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles during his college career. It\u2019s hard to find another player in this entire draft class that\u2019s a better fit for what the Bucs need heading into the future, and he\u2019ll spend his NFL career in red and pewter if there\u2019s any justice in the football world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 3, Pick 76 (from Steelers): Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers are looking to get bigger on the defensive line, and Darrell Jackson fits the mold at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a massive, powerful presence in the middle of the defensive line that clogs running lanes and creates headaches for opposing offenses. He has a ridiculous 7-foot-2 wingspan and tied for the biggest hands ever at his position at the NFL Combine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His combination of size and elite strength give him a high floor as a rotational run stopper with the ability to develop into a disruptor in the pass game as well. Tampa Bay would be thrilled to add Jackson to their rotation up front along with Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and A\u2019Shawn Robinson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 3, Pick 77: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia<\/p>\n

After losing starting cornerback Jamel Dean to the Steelers in free agency and letting depth piece Kindle Vildor leave, the Bucs have a sudden need for depth at the cornerback position.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-1, Daylen Everette has the height and length that Todd Bowles covets in his cornerbacks. He also ran a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Everette brings experience with 41 starts and 55 games played during his college career. He totaled 5 interceptions and 17 passes defensed at Georgia. His physical traits paired with his ability not only in coverage but also as a willing run defender will make him an intriguing depth piece with potential starting upside for the Buccaneers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 4, Pick 116: Bud Clark, S, TCU<\/p>\n

Like Jacob Rodriguez, Bud Clark has become a fixture in my mock drafts. When a player is such an obvious fit for Tampa Bay, I can\u2019t help but take notice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Bucs lost do-it-all defensive back Christian Izien in free agency, and Clark has the ability to not just replace Izien, but perhaps even be an improvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He brings versatility from his six-year college career in which he played over 1200 snaps in the slot, over 700 snaps in the box, and over 450 snaps at free safety along with some reps at outside cornerback.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a turnover machine with 15 interceptions during his college career, while his elite 84.2 run defense grade proves he\u2019s also willing to get his nose dirty as a physical, willing tackler against the run. His rare combination of playmaking ability, versatility and physicality make him a dream chess piece for Bowles\u2019 scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 4, Pick 121 (from Steelers): Beau Stephens, IOL, Iowa\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers need to address their depth on the offensive line. Disaster struck last season, and the team didn\u2019t play a single game with the full starting line intact.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With guards Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson both suffering season-ending injuries, the Bucs relied on a plethora of backup guards including Elijah Klein, Luke Haggard, Mike Jordan, and Dan Feeney. The interior offensive line was a liability without the starters, and Tampa Bay needs to have a better insurance plan at the position going forward.<\/p>\n

There may not be a better solution to Tampa Bay\u2019s guard problem than Stephens, especially at this incredible value in the fourth round. Out of 686 collegiate guards in 2025, Stephens ranked No. 3 in the nation per PFF, and earned the best pass blocking grade of anyone at the position. He allowed zero sacks and was called for zero penalties in 620 offensive snaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Left tackle Tristan Wirfs would be thrilled to see Jason Licht bring another Hawkeye to Tampa Bay and aid in his development. Stephens would begin his career as a backup, but with Mauch entering the final year of his contract and Bredeson having no guaranteed money after 2026, Stephens would have a legitimate path to becoming a starter for the Buccaneers in the not-so-distant future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Round 6, Pick 195: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston<\/p>\n

If the Buccaneers want to find a legitimate receiving threat behind Cade Otton at the tight end position, Tanner Koziol is their guy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-6, 247 pound matchup nightmare commanded a significant target share in college, with 337 targets in four seasons between Ball State and Houston, converting 70% of his targets into receptions.<\/p>\n

Over the last two seasons, Koziol has recorded 168 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading all college football players with 46 contested catches. In 2025, he led all tight ends with 20 contested catches while posting only a 2.6% drop rate.<\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t offer much as a blocker which might cause the Bucs to hesitate, but they already have plus blocking ability on the depth chart from Otton and Ko Kieft. Koziol gives the Bucs another viable receiving threat that the tight end room sorely needs, and is worth the flier late on Day 3.<\/p>\n

Round 7, Pick 229: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Bucs close out the draft by double-dipping at the linebacker position and adding Jimmy Rolder out of Michigan. According to JC Allen,<\/a> the team has used one of their Top-30 visits with Rolder, so there is some legitimate interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rolder is only on the board this late because of his lack of starting experience, appearing in 43 games as a rotational defender and special teams contributor, but starting in only 11 at Michigan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-2, 238 pound linebacker is a physical, downhill player and a potential special teams ace. He finished his college career with 118 combined tackles, two sacks, and an interception. He needs to improve his pass defense before he can play significant snaps at the next level, but his sure tackling and special teams potential could help him forge a path toward a roster spot in Tampa Bay and upgrade the overall depth of the linebacker room.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a solid job addressing some of their more pressing needs through free…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":841069,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2077],"tags":[211,7,6,704,250,2597,2596],"class_list":{"0":"post-841068","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tampa-bay-buccaneers","8":"tag-buccaneers","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-nfl","11":"tag-tampa-bay","12":"tag-tampa-bay-buccaneers","13":"tag-tampabay","14":"tag-tampabaybuccaneers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116313131927845929","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=841068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841068\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/841069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=841068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=841068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=841068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}