The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could go a variety of different ways in the 2025 NFL Draft. With so many players from the 2024 class becoming meaningful starters it gives Jason Licht and his staff a lot of momentum heading into the draft. The team rallied in the back half of the season to win the division but couldn't put together a playoff run.
Despite their success in the second half of the season, this Bucs team needs to add some vital pieces in the offseason to compete with the best in the NFC.
The easiest way to add pieces to the roster is through the NFL Draft. Jason Licht hit several home runs for the Bucs in the 2024 draft class. Can he repeat that performance? Here is our best attempt.
Making three trades helps in that department.
Trade 1: Bucs send the 19th and 235th overall picks to the Packers for the 23rd, 87th, and 124th overall picks
Trade 2: Bucs send the 23rd, 121st, and 157th overall picks to the Commanders for the 29th and 61st overall picks
These two trade-offs in back-to-back instances may seem like a lot, so let's look at the big picture for you, the reader, because even I had a hard time following. The Bucs gained extra picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds by trading away their fifth and seventh round picks. They did that by trading back in round one twice from 19th overall to 29th spot, so they remained in round one while gaining all that extra capital.
This may seem far-fetched, but it is certainly something right within Jason Licht's wheelhouse.
Round 1, Pick 29: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Round 2, Pick 53: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Round 2, Pick 61: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
Trade 3: Bucs send the 84th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Bengals for the 119th and 193rd overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Bucs send away that extra third-round pick they gained in one of those early trade-backs we discussed prior. They end up gaining an extra day-two pick in 2026 and only move back a round in the 2025 draft. This trade gives the Bucs a whopping six picks in the top 124 of the 2025 NFL Draft and four in the top three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 3, Pick 87: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
The Bucs brought back Ben Bredeson, but they still have Cody Mauch fighting for his job on his rookie contract. Mauch has had some bright spots, but he seems to be susceptible to surrendering pressures more often than not. Ratledge would bring in some fresh competition and also provide a potential upgrade for the Bucs if the situation calls for it.
Round 4, Pick 119: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
Cobee Bryant is a great man cover cornerback who can be trusted on the outside. What he does ...
