Coach Slick’s 2025 Buccaneers 7-Round Mock Draft

Pros:

Explosive first step jumps off the tape – watch him knife through the A-gap against LSU, leaving their protection scheme in shambles on his way to a drive-killing sack

Coverage instincts are advanced for a converted edge player – his interception against Georgia showed exceptional route recognition from zone drop

Brings serious pop as a tackler while maintaining efficiency – only 5.5% missed tackle rate in 2024 and consistently delivers the message on contact

Multifaceted weapon who creates matchup problems – spent 20+ snaps each at MIKE, WILL, and edge spots against Tennessee and Missouri

Rare closing speed for a 244-pounder – his pursuit angle on the scoop-and-score against Tennessee was a masterclass in acceleration

Uses 6’3″ frame and long arms to disrupt passing lanes – broke up multiple quick games against Michigan by getting his mitts up in throwing lanes

Shows natural timing as a blitzer – his delayed pressure against South Carolina caused a game-changing strip sack in the fourth quarter

Developmental arc points up – youngest linebacker in the class with demonstrable improvement each season at Alabama

Cons:

Over-aggression creates vulnerability against misdirection – bit hard on multiple play-action fakes against Auburn, creating explosive play opportunities

Still developing hand usage when stack-and-shed is required – top offensive linemen at LSU and Michigan were able to latch and control

Pad level rises when tackling in space – allowed extra yards after contact against physical SEC backs who could drive through arm tackles

Will abandon zone landmarks early when quarterbacks scramble – gave up two big plays against Missouri trying to chase their mobile QB

Pass rush plan needs expansion – currently wins primarily with speed and bend, struggled when forced to counter against better SEC tackles

Summary:

After extensive film study of Campbell’s 2024 season, his impact potential jumps off the screen. His usage at Alabama – particularly in their simulated pressure packages – showcases a dynamic defender who can wreck offensive game plans from multiple alignments. The LSU game exemplified his playmaking ceiling: perfectly timed A-gap pressures, explosive range against screens, and the athleticism to match up in coverage. While he occasionally struggled when linemen got square to him, his ability to slip blocks and close space made him a constant threat.

Modern defensive systems that emphasize second-level pressure and multiple fronts will get an immediate impact player with Pro Bowl upside. His performances against Tennessee and Missouri highlight why he’s a top-40 prospect – seamlessly dropping into Tampa-2 zones, timing up delayed blitzes, and showing the processing speed to diagnose plays quickly. Yes, he’ll need to continue developing his block-shedding technique and coverage discipline against play-action, but his current skill set already translates to significant defensive value.

The tape shows a 21-year-old defender playing with veteran savvy in crucial moments. That fourth quarter against Auburn was telling – after biting on an early play-action, he adjusted and proceeded to blow up three straight screen attempts with textbook diagnosis and explosive closing speed. His combination of youth, elite physical traits, and steep development curve points to a future defensive cornerstone. In a league where offensive innovation forces defenses to constantly adapt, Jihaad Campbell brings the scheme versatility and explosive athleticism to be a difference-maker by year two.

Round – 2, Buccaneers Pick 53

Landon Jackson, DL/EDGE, Arkansas

HT: 6’6
WT: 264 lbs

Accolades:

First-team All-SEC (2023)
Second-team All-SEC (2024)

Video:

Pros:

Devastating length and power at the point of attack – consistently drives back tight ends and creates immediate displacement against the run

Shows advanced hand technique in pass rush – throws a nasty cross-chop move and knows how to set up his counters

Excellent edge-setter who plays with natural leverage despite his height – anchors and redirects pulling guards with ease

Brings serious juice as a stunter – fluid lateral movement and timing when executing twists and loops

High football IQ shows up in run fits – maintains gap integrity and rarely gets caught out of position

Relentless motor from snap to whistle – routinely makes hustle plays in pursuit and fights through multiple blocks

Versatile defensive line piece – showed he can win from multiple alignments between 3-tech and wide-9

Natural power player who converts speed to power effectively – can walk back tackles when he times up his bull rush

Cons:

Limited bend and flexibility around the arc – struggles to flatten and turn the corner against athletic tackles

Initial get-off is more methodical than explosive – won’t consistently threaten the edge with pure speed

Can play too high at times in pass rush, allowing blockers to get into his frame and stall his momentum

Not a natural space player – looks mechanical when asked to change direction or operate in coverage

Still developing a complete pass rush plan – relies heavily on power moves and needs to expand his repertoire

Summary:

Landon Jackson is a versatile defensive prospect who can make an instant impact in various schemes. He thrives in defenses that prioritize line-of-scrimmage control and employ creative pressure tactics. Jackson is poised to immediately contribute against the run, while his pass-rush skills continue to develop.

With refined coaching, particularly in hand technique and rush strategy, Jackson has the potential to become a cornerstone defensive lineman. He’s well-suited for early downs and can contribute in passing situations, making him a valuable asset for any team.

Round – 3, Buccaneers Pick 84

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State

HT: 6’2
WT: 216 lbs

Accolades:

All-Big Ten honorable mention

Video:

Pros:

Elite run defender with uncanny ability to diagnose and attack run plays; showcases rare instincts when playing downhill that separate him from peers.

Plays with controlled violence that creates highlight-reel collisions; brings the kind of thump that makes skill players aware of his presence on every snap.

Possesses exceptional closing burst that turns angles into straight lines; erases ground between backfield and tackle point with frightening acceleration.

Shows excellent block deconstruction at point of attack; uses length to create separation before shedding and finding the football with natural efficiency.

Tackling technique borders on textbook; combines wrap-up fundamentals with explosive finishing power rarely found in secondary players.

Length and frame create ridiculous tackle radius; can corral backs and receivers even when seemingly beaten by initial move or play design.

Displays quality zone instincts when keeping everything in front; most comfortable patrolling intermediate areas where he can read and react downhill.

Brings a physical enforcer mentality when covering tight ends; uses hands effectively to disrupt routes and timing at line of scrimmage.

Cons:

Man coverage skills lag behind run defense ability; struggles to maintain hip fluidity when matching routes vertically from press alignment.

High-cut frame creates tightness in transitions; labors to flip hips and accelerate when forced to cover ground quickly from deep alignments.

Ball production doesn’t match physical tools; lacks anticipatory instincts to jump routes and create turnover opportunities in zone coverage.

Can be manipulated by quarterback’s eyes and play-action; takes false steps that compromise leverage against more sophisticated passing attacks.

Medical evaluation critical after partial ACL tear limited 2024 exposure; minimal starting experience (13 games) raises questions about NFL readiness.

Summary:

Defensive teams employing Cover-1 or Cover-3 schemes will highly value his ability to support the run with aggression, eliminate crossing routes over the middle.

Although his ranking (104) implies mid-round value, astute defensive coordinators will identify a day-one starter capable of matching up against tight ends, providing impactful run support. The only uncertainty surrounds his medical evaluation. However, players with similar injury profiles have rebounded stronger with adequate recovery time.

Winston Jr.’s potential is directly tied to his growth in coverage concepts. If he refines his zone spacing and smooths out his transitions from deep alignments, he could become an eight-year starter, bringing a rare combination of physicality and skill to the secondary.

His Penn State background is evident in his high Football IQ, which serves him well in diagnosing and reacting to run plays. While he may not be suited for isolated deep coverage, his exceptional run-stopping ability and enforcer mentality make him an attractive asset for teams that can leverage his strengths and compensate for his weaknesses.

Round – 4, Buccaneers Pick 121

Zy Alexander, CB, LSU

HT: 6’1
WT: 186 lbs

Accolades:

2x First team All-Southland (2021, 2022)

Video:

Pros:

Length jumps off the tape – uses every bit of his 6’2″ frame to squeeze throwing windows and contest catches at the highest point with exceptional timing and awareness.

Shows natural instincts in zone coverage, leveraging his quarterback background to bait throws and jump routes with calculated aggression and good spatial awareness.

Nasty tackler who plays bigger than his size suggests – takes smart angles and consistently wraps up, showing a missed tackle rate under 7.5% across nearly 2,500 snaps.

Excellent ball production with 13 career interceptions, including two pick-sixes in 2022 – tracks the ball naturally and times his challenges at the catch point.

Quick processor who reads run/pass keys quickly and triggers downhill with conviction – shows good football intelligence diagnosing plays and route combinations.

Fluid athlete who can flip his hips and run vertically, staying in phase down the field once he gets his hands on receivers.

Physical at the line in press coverage, using his length to disrupt timing and re-route receivers when his technique is clean.

Shows some dog in him as a run defender – takes on blocks with proper leverage and fights to set a hard edge against outside runs.

Cons:

Inconsistent hand placement and timing in press-man coverage leads to clean releases – needs to develop a more reliable jam technique at the next level.

Can get too high in his backpedal and struggle to transition smoothly against sharp-breaking routes, especially from off-coverage alignments.

Medical history raises some concerns with an ACL tear in 2023 and a concussion in 2024, though he showed good recovery from both injuries.

Limited special teams experience with only 13 career snaps in the kicking game could impact his early roster value as a developmental prospect.

Top-end speed is merely adequate – can get stacked by elite vertical threats and struggles to recover when beaten cleanly off the line.

Summary:

Alexander has the foundation to become a quality NFL starter, with refinement needed in press-man technique and transitional quickness. His diverse athletic background is evident in his natural instincts, and his steady growth from FCS to SEC competition suggests continued improvement.

As a likely Day 2 pick, Alexander’s blend of length, zone awareness, and reliable tackling will appeal to teams seeking an immediate contributor with starting potential. His skill set is particularly suited for Cover-3 schemes, where his zone instincts and physicality in run support will be valuable assets. While he may not become a shutdown corner, Alexander has the makings of a quality starter who brings additional value through his ball production
and competitive drive.

Round – 5, Buccaneers Pick 157

RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

HT: 5’8
WT: 206 lbs

Accolades:

Third-team All-American (2024)
First-team All-Big 12 (2024)

Video:

Pros:

Elite lateral quickness and jump-cut ability, consistently making defenders miss in tight spaces and creating yardage where none exists

Exceptional contact balance combined with low pad level, allowing him to bounce off initial contact and maintain momentum through traffic

Blazing speed and acceleration, demonstrated by his ability to hit home runs and outrun defensive backs in the open field

Displays advanced vision and patience, setting up blocks effectively and finding cutback lanes in zone schemes

Versatile skill set as both a runner and receiver, offering three-down potential with natural hands out of the backfield

Proven workhorse back with the durability to handle a heavy workload, consistently producing chunk plays throughout the season

Demonstrates excellent ball security, rarely putting the rock on the ground even in heavy traffic

Big-play threat on every touch, capable of taking it to the house from anywhere on the field with breakaway speed

Cons:

Undersized frame raises concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season and handle pass protection duties

Can dance too much behind the line of scrimmage, leading to negative plays when he doesn’t hit the hole with decisiveness

Significant liability in pass protection, struggling to anchor against blitzing linebackers and pick up complex pressure packages

Limited experience as a bell-cow back in a Power 5 conference, raising questions about his ability to handle a feature role

Lacks ideal power to consistently move the pile in short-yardage situations or break tackles from NFL-caliber defenders

Summary:

RJ Harvey offers an exciting combination of elite speed and elusiveness, making him an attractive prospect for teams seeking to inject explosiveness into their backfield. His ability to create in space and contribute in the passing game aligns well with modern NFL offenses, particularly those utilizing zone-blocking schemes.

However, Harvey’s slender frame and limitations in pass protection may hinder his immediate impact. Initially, he profiles as a change-of-pace back, but has the potential to expand his role if he can, improve his blocking skills and demonstrate durability with increased touches.

Round – 7, Buccaneers Pick 235

Vernon Broughton, DL, Texas

HT: 6’4
WT: 304 lbs

Video:

Pros:

Explosive first step off the snap allows him to penetrate gaps before offensive linemen can properly set, particularly devastating when shooting B-gaps in passing situations

Powerful hands pack a nasty punch in close quarters, consistently jolting blockers backward and creating immediate leverage advantages in one-on-one situations

Shows rare closing speed for a 305-pounder, routinely chasing down plays from the backside and bringing serious juice as a pursuit defender

Advanced pass rush repertoire featuring a devastating club-swim move that consistently creates separation, complemented by effective two-hand swipes

Outstanding leverage player who consistently plays with proper pad level, allowing him to anchor against double teams despite a somewhat lean frame

Displays exceptional lateral agility when working down the line, showing the ability to mirror and match zone blocking schemes without losing ground

High motor rusher who brings relentless energy on every snap, wearing down opponents and creating late-game impact plays through pure persistence

Scheme versatile frame with length to play as a 3-4 end or penetrating 3-tech, giving defensive coordinators multiple options for deployment

Cons:

Still developing consistency in run defense, occasionally gets washed out of his gap when facing committed double teams at the point of attack

Raw power moves need refinement, tends to rely too heavily on athleticism rather than technique when converting speed to power

Despite good hand usage, needs to improve arm extension to better control blockers before disengaging, particularly against longer offensive tackles

Tackling technique shows concerning inconsistency, leading to some missed opportunities in the backfield when he’s in position to make plays

Production doesn’t match his athletic traits, suggesting he’s still developing the instincts to consistently impact games at the point of attack

Summary:

Vernon Broughton is an emerging talent with tremendous upside. His unique blend of explosive athleticism and scheme versatility will make him a coveted prospect on draft day. Broughton showcases glimpses of dominance, hinting at a higher ceiling than his current level of play.

Ideally, he’ll thrive as a penetrating 3-technique in an aggressive, one-gap system, leveraging his quick first step and developing pass rush skills.

However, his frame and length also allow him to play 5-technique in odd-man fronts, particularly on passing downs, where his edge burst creates favorable matchups.
Expect Broughton to contribute immediately as a rotational defender, with potential starter upside by year two. His athletic profile, constant motor, and technical refinement will unlock his high-level potential.