Buccaneers Draft: Predicting The Pewter Offense

We are within a week from the NFL draft. At this point, we have a good idea of what players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking at. It’s time to buckle down and make some predictions.

Keep in mind, there are thousands of scenarios that can play out in the draft. It’s why having a semi accurate mock is so difficult. Even getting one or two accurate picks, especially where the Bucs are picking, is unlikely. 

It’s for this reason that I present an option for every round that I could see the team addressing a position. In some scenarios they can address a position in round one, in others they address it in round three. It all depends on how the draft falls.

In this series, I will make my best guess on what players the Bucs would draft on each of the days. These are my top candidates at each position who I believe will be in play. Today I will focus on offense in my Predicting the Pewter series.

Quarterback

1st round – none
Day two – none
Day three – Donovan Smith, Houston

I would be shocked if the Bucs drafted a quarterback at all. It’s much more likely they sign an undrafted free agent as a body to have in training camp. Preferably someone with great physical gifts who could be developed over time.

The name that fits that profile is Smith. He has great size at 6’5 and 230 lbs and he also brings a plus arm and good mobility. He’s a camp body, but if you’re bringing in a guy like that then it should be someone with raw talent if nothing else. 

Running Back

1st round – none
Day two – none
Day three – Phil Mafah, Clemson

The Buccaneers are as deep as any team in the NFL when it comes to running back. However, it’s not too early to start looking down the line. With Rachaad White going into the last year of his contract, it would be smart to get a player at least on the practice squad in case they need a replacement in 2026. 

There is also no real power element to this rushing attack. At 6’1 and 230+ lbs, Mafah could be someone they turn to as a goal line back or someone to get those tough short yardage first downs. 

Tight End 

1st round – Tyler Warren, Penn State

Warren is considered by many to be the best tight end in the draft. He has the frame and physicality to play in line at the NFL level and projects as someone who can help in the running game. Think of a Rob Gronkowski type and Warren is in that same mold. 

The Bucs had a formal meeting with Warren at the NFL combine. It’s also worth noting that current starting tight end, Cade Otton, is entering the last year of his deal. If Licht doesn’t intend to re-sign Otton then this match begins to make a lot of sense. 

Day two – Harold Fannin – Bowling Green

The Buccaneers met formally with Fannin at the combine. The All American led the Mid American Conference with 1,555 receiving yards and had 9 touchdowns last season and was named the MAC player of the year. This is someone who projects as a pass catcher at the next level.

Fannin is a bit undersized at just 240 lbs. He also tested as a fairly average athlete at the combine. I don’t know if this is the type of prospect that I would personally gravitate to, but the Bucs are clearly interested in adding a playmaker into the tight end room.

Day three – Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech

I don’t know that the Bucs should be married to any of their depth tight ends. It would be wise to bring in competition and let the cream rise to the top. Conyers is a nice option to put in that mix.

He brings great size at 6’6 and 260 lbs. However, Conyers is also someone who can make plays with the ball in his hands. He might not be a great separator, but he is a big reliable target who can get yards in space as well as block.

Wide Receiver 

1st round – Matthew Golden, Texas

Jason Licht has a notoriously bad poker face. If he has a formal meeting with a player at the combine then that’s very likely someone he’s interested in. If he then brings that player in on a top 30 visit, then he better be on your radar as a potential Buccaneers pick. 

That is the case with Golden here. While wide receiver isn’t the biggest need on the roster, it’s obvious that Licht has significant interest in the Texas star pass catcher. After all, Mike Evans can’t play forever and the Buccaneers need to think about what life will look like after he retires. 

Day two – Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Speaking of Mike Evans, Higgins brings a skill set similar to a lot of the things Evans does well. Both are big body outside receivers who thrive on breaking back to the football and winning with their catch radius. Of course, Higgins isn’t the big play threat that Evans is, but it’s unfair to compare a likely second round pick to one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.

The point is, Higgins can fill that role as an outside receiver. He is great at moving the chains and being that reliable possession wide receiver. He could step in and contribute right away and be an important part of the future for this offense. 

Day three – Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

Okay, this is a little bit of a cheat because I think Noel will go on day two, but it’s possible he slides due to his size. He’s only 5’10 with smaller hands than average, but Noel can play both inside and outside at a high level. He’d be a great compliment to what the Bucs have in place now.

Speed, agility and hand eye coordination make him a strong route runner who reliably hauls in passes. He plays tougher than you’d expect at his size and can bring both explosiveness and grit. If he is your third option this year and a key contributor in the future then that sets the Bucs up for success.

Offensive Line

1st round – Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

This is the Jason Licht special. A small school left tackle who has the athletic tools to play in the NFL. Zabel is also someone who dominated the Senior Bowl as well as testing as an exceptional athlete, which are always big factors in the Bucs scouting process.

Unfortunately, everyone else has noticed Zabel too and it has pushed him up draft boards. At this point, it’s unlikely the Buccaneers go in this direction. But if there was ever a Jason Licht type, this would be it.

Day two – Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

If Zabel going to North Dakota State was too big of a school for him to fly under the radar, let’s look at an even smaller school. Sacramento State doesn’t put many players in the NFL, but that will change this year with Slater. And while the back end of the third round might be early for him, it’s not out of the question.

Slater has the power and mobility to play at the NFL level. He projects inside at the next level, and has all the tools necessary at 6’3 and 311 lbs. I’ll be surprised if the Bucs go this direction this early, but I would be shocked if Slater wasn’t high on their board.

Day three – Logan Brown, Kansas

With Justin Skule leaving in free agency, there is a need for a swing tackle off the bench. And while the Buccaneers did sign Charlie Heck to replace Skule, bringing in a developmental option makes sense. That’s what Brown brings to the table.

With only one year as a starter at Kansas, Brown is not a polished player. However, he is a former five star recruit out of Grand Rapids who has all the physical tools to be developed. He might be a practice squad guy this year, but he could be a reliable depth player down the line.