Ahead of the NFL Draft, we want to give you a big board to follow, catered to the needs of the Bucs. The team has some needs on both sides of the ball, but as the big board shows, defense is going to be the main focus of this 2025 NFL Draft class for Jason Licht and his staff.
The team is coming off a showing in the 2024 draft, so momentum is on their side. Let this be your guide as we get through round one tonight and through the next three days of picks as well.
1. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Campbell still holds my top fit as a prospect crown. Elite athleticism and solid coverage abilities make him an ideal candidate to fill the void at LB2. His versatility would be valuable in Bowles’ defense, and a perfect heir for Lavonte David.
2. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Ezeiruaku brings a high motor and pass-rushing prowess, which the Bucs need opposite Yaya Diaby. His ability to generate pressure without relying on blitzes would enhance the defensive front.
3. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks is an elite athlete with exceptional range and ball skills, making him a perfect fit for the Buccaneers’ secondary that thrives on versatility and aggressiveness. His ability to play both deep safety and come downhill in run support aligns well with Todd Bowles’ hybrid defensive schemes. With the Bucs needing young playmakers in the back end, Starks could immediately upgrade their coverage and turnover potential.
4. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Barron is a versatile defensive back with excellent instincts and quick-twitch movement, making him an ideal fit for the Buccaneers’ nickel and dime packages. He excels in slot coverage and brings a physical edge in run support, traits Todd Bowles highly values in his aggressive, hybrid defense. Barron’s ability to match up against shifty slot receivers while also contributing in the box makes him a plug-and-play asset in Tampa Bay’s secondary.
5. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson’s size and physicality make him a strong candidate to compete for a starting cornerback role. His press coverage skills and aggressiveness would bring missing fire from the secondary.
6. Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Green led the FBS in sacks, showcasing his explosive pass-rushing capabilities. His athleticism and quickness off the line would provide the Buccaneers with an immediate impact player, with a rich need for more pressure off the edge
7. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant is a large, formidable presence on the interior defensive line, known for his strength and ability to disrupt the run game. Pairing him with Vita Vea would solidify the Buccaneers’ interior defense and inject youth and speed into an area that looked dated in depth.
8. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Pearce offers explosive athleticism and bend off the edge, traits that are valuable for a team looking to bolster its pass rush. His upside could make him a long-term solution at a position the Buccaneers have had trouble nailing in the past.
9. Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Walker’s combination of size and agility allows him to be effective both against the run and as a pass rusher. His versatility fits well with the Bucs’ defensive strategies, where he can line up on and off the ball.
10. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden is a dynamic receiver with excellent route-running and hands. His ability to stretch the field and create separation would add a new dimension to the Buccaneers’ passing attack.
11. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Watts’ coverage skills and ball awareness make him a potential contributor in the secondary. His ability to play multiple roles adds value to the defense.
12. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Hairston’s ball-hawking skills, mixed with his top-end speed, the best in the draft, make him an ideal candidate for a Buccaneers secondary that struggled to cover speedy receivers.
13. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Amos’ physicality and tackling ability make him a valuable addition to a secondary that struggled to finish tackles last season.
14. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Williams’ raw talent and athleticism make him a high-upside project for the defensive line. A project, but with signing Hassan Reddick, may be worth the development.
15. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Emmanwori’s tackling, size, and knack for reading plays would make him the perfect sidekick to Antoine Winfield Jr and sure up the deep end of coverages.
16. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Purdue
Scourton’s pass-rushing skills could provide depth and situational impact on passing downs. Power, bend, and strong hands are going to allow him to win more reps than he loses.
17. Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
Knight’s athleticism, anticipation, and great size make him a prototypical LB option that can learn from Lavonte David and compete for LB2.
18. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison is a fluid, instinctive corner with excellent ball skills, making him a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ zone-heavy defense. His ability to play both outside and in the slot addresses the Bucs’ need for versatility in the secondary, especially given their injury issues last season.
19. Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Harris’ size and catch radius offer red-zone potential as a depth receiver. With Mike Evans entering his final year on contract and turning 32, Harris could be the future of the X position.
18. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Schwesinger is a solid coverage linebacker with instincts that allow him to diagnose plays effectively. His experience on special teams adds immediate value, and he could develop into a starting role.
19. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Thomas has shown the ability to limit receptions and yards after catch, traits that would benefit the Bucs’ secondary. His development could be accelerated under the team’s coaching staff.
20. Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
Oladejo’s bend, power, and hands stand out on film, as he uses his length and power to move through would-be blockers.
21. Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Winston’s range and ball skills offer a potential fit at free safety next to Antoine Winfield Jr. Sure-tackling and physical playstyle fit right in the Bowles mold.
22. Omar-Norman Lott, DL, Tennessee
Lott’s interior pass rush could complement Vita Vea and enhance the defensive line rotation. Getting younger on the defensive line is essential, and Lott provides power to collapse the pocket.
23. Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
Williams’ strength and run-stopping ability would bolster the interior defensive line depth.
24. Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Umanmielen’s versatility allows him to line up in multiple positions, providing scheme flexibility. Umanmielen excels at splitting tackles and finding himself in the backfield.
25. Nohl Williams, CB, California
Williams’ coverage skills and ball awareness make him a candidate for nickel or dime packages. His agility allows him to match up against quick receivers.
26. Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
Mukuba’s instincts and tackling ability could develop into a reliable safety, something Tampa must find after striking out last season.
27. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Porter’s elite size and physicality make for an intriguing prospect that not only matches up well with bigger WRs, one of Tampa’s weaknesses, but also the speed to recover and defend with reach.
28. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Paul’s athleticism and coverage skills fit well with the Bucs’ defensive schemes. His versatility allows him to contribute both in the run and in coverage, something second-string Linebackers struggled with.
29. Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
Lane’s speed and return skills make him a valuable asset to stretch the field. His ability to contribute as a receiver adds to his versatility.
30. Alfred Collins, DL, Texas
Collins’ size and strength make him a candidate for rotational roles on the defensive line. His ability to occupy blockers could free up linebackers to make plays
31. Josiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Stewart’s pass-rushing skills and speed off the edge make him a potential situational rusher. With development, he could become a more consistent contributor.
32. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Noel’s route-running and hands provide an option for the slot receiver position. His agility and quickness could be utilized in short-yardage situations.
33. Nohl Williams, CB, California
Williams’ coverage skills and ball awareness make him a candidate for nickel or dime packages. His agility allows him to match up against quick receivers.
34. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Williams’ quickness and hands make him a potential slot receiver option. Bowles made it known he will not pass up an offensive player who could elevate the team.
35. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
Ransom’s versatility allows him to play both safety spots, providing depth and potential starting capability. His experience in a high-level college program prepares him for the transition to the NFL.
36. Elijah Roberts, Edge, SMU
Roberts’ strength and technique make him a candidate for depth on the defensive line. His ability to play multiple positions adds flexibility to the rotation.
37. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Carter’s speed and coverage skills make him suitable for modern NFL defenses that require linebackers to defend against the pass effectively. His athleticism would be an asset in the Bucs’ linebacker corps
38. Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
Farmer’s strength and run-stopping ability provide depth at the defensive tackle position. His presence could help in short-yardage situations and replace the loss of perennial run stopper Will Gholston.
39. Jordan Phillips, DL, Maryland
Phillips’ size and run-stopping ability provide depth at the defensive tackle position. His presence could help in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
40. Jeffery Bassa, LB, Oregon
Bassa’s speed and coverage skills fit well with the Bucs’ need for athletic linebackers. His versatility allows him to play multiple roles on defense.
41. Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas
Sorrell’s pass-rushing and run-defending skills make him a well-rounded edge prospect. His consistent play could earn him a spot in the rotation.
42. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Horton’s speed and deep-threat capability add a vertical element to the offense. His ability to stretch the field could open up opportunities for other receivers.
43. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Helm’s blocking and receiving abilities provide depth at the tight end position. His versatility allows him to contribute to both the passing and running games.
44. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
Bryant’s ball skills and instincts make him a potential contributor in the secondary. His ability to create turnovers could be valuable for the defense.
45. Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech
Peebles’ quickness and pass-rushing skills make him a potential contributor on passing downs. His ability to penetrate the backfield could disrupt opposing offenses.
46. Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska
Robinson’s strength and technique make him a solid option for depth on the defensive line. His run-stopping ability could be utilized in early-down situations.
47. JJ Pegues, DL, Ole Miss
Pegues’ size and athleticism make him a unique prospect for the defensive line. His ability to play multiple positions adds flexibility to the defensive front.
48. Miles Frazier, OL, LSU
Frazier’s versatility and experience on the offensive line provide depth and competition. Licht loves an O-Linemab who can play all over, and Frazier’s ability to play multiple positions could be valuable for the offensive line rotation.
49. Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
The combination of Hassanein’s size and technique makes him a developmental prospect. With coaching, he could become a reliable backup.
50. LahJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
Wester’s speed and agility make him a candidate for special teams and slot receiver roles. His quickness could be utilized in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Bonus Three Players
51. Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Felton’s route-running and hands provide depth at the wide receiver position. His ability to create separation could be valuable in the passing game.
52. Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
Mondon’s athleticism and tackling ability make him a strong candidate for the linebacker corps. His versatility allows him to contribute in various defensive schemes.
53. Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Savaiinaea’s size and strength make him a developmental prospect for the offensive line. With coaching, he could become a reliable backup or starter.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs top 50 Big Board ahead of round one of the 2025 NFL Draft