Buccaneers Eye on the Draft: Mike Green, DE/EDGE, Marshall

The 2025 NFL Draft is getting closer, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be looking for a high-impact reinforcement for their secondary. In this installment of “Alf’s Buccaneers Eye on the Draft”, we analyze Marshall DE/EDGE rusher Mike Green.

Who is Mike Green?

Mike Green is one of the most productive pass rushers in college football. With three outstanding seasons (after transferring from Virginia), he has 102 pressures and 24 sacks , winning the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024 and being named an All-American by Walter Camp .

Green is a big-play specialist. Quick, agile, and technical, he’s capable of winning with explosiveness, power, or refined technique. His motor never slows down, and he has a repertoire of moves that makes him a constant problem for opposing tackles.

Mike Green’s Strengths

• Explosiveness on the snap (get-off)
• Complete repertoire of pass rush moves
• Devastating spin move
• Ankle flexibility to bend the arch
• Lateral agility and good hands
• Tactical intelligence to attack the backfield
• Patience on zone-read plays
• Constant production and tireless engine

His signature move is the spin, which allows him to deceive tackles by forcing them inside before turning and attacking the edge. He’s also shown a great stop-start move that freezes the opponent before accelerating to full speed.

Aspects to improve

Mike Green of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needs to improve his raw strength to adapt to NFL tackles over 310 lbs. If he doesn’t win the opening duel, he could be absorbed. He also needs to add more muscle mass to become a threat on early downs against the inside running game.

Would Mike Green be a good fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Without a doubt. Mike Green of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would fit like a glove in Todd Bowles’ rotation. His specialty as a pass rusher fits perfectly in third-down packages or NASCAR formations. He also has experience in five-tech lineups, standing up or with his hands on the ground , as he will be asked to do in Tampa.

With Haason Reddick as his guiding light and Larry Foote as his direct mentor, Green could become a disruptor off the bench with the potential for more.

NFL Comparison: Alex Highsmith

Like Highsmith with the Steelers, Green comes from a small program, but with enormous production, explosiveness and a polished technique that can make him a high-level starter in the NFL .

Conclusion: Is Mike Green a real option for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

If Tampa Bay is looking to add dynamite to the pass rush starting in the mid- rounds, Mike Green of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one of the most reliable and explosive bets in the draft. He can make an impact from day one as a third-down specialist and develop into a cornerstone of the defensive front.