2024 Offseason – Syndication Server

Grading the Bucs’ 2024 NFL draft class

For many NFL teams, the 2024 NFL Draft is a dramatic spectacle filled with big gambles. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was an orderly affair that featured no trades by the Bucs for the first time in 11 years. Bucs general manager Jason Licht …

Bucs general manager Jason Licht appeared more than satisfied filling roster holes with the draft capital Tampa Bay already had on deck. The Bucs addressed immediate needs early and filled out the edges of the roster as the draft progressed.

A little ho-hum? Maybe, but not necessarily ineffective.

As the dust settles from another wild weekend, here’s how we grade every pick the Bucs made across all seven rounds of this year’s draft:

The Bucs had two key objectives heading into the 2024 NFL draft: upgrade the offensive line and improve the edge rush. They accomplished the first with their first pick, taking Duke’s Graham Barton. Not since Ali Marpet was a Buccaneer has Tampa Bay boasted such an athletic offensive lineman, only Barton is bigger and faster than Marpet.

Barton was ranked 26th overall and the top center on Arif Hasan’s 2024 Consensus Board, which takes into account 101 media big boards and projections. The Bucs took him right where he was expected to fall and right where interior offensive line value begins to make sense for a first round pick.

Though not a finished product, Barton’s athleticism, reinforced by his on-field attitude, should see him through to becoming at minimum a starting-caliber center, which is where GM Jason Licht projects Barton will play. Center may not be a sexy position for a first round pick, but it is exactly what Tampa Bay needed, with a possible future Pro Bowler now manning the role.

Grade: A-

Outside linebacker was Tampa Bay’s other pressing need, and with the top prospects off the board with the Bucs’ first pick, they took Alabama OLB Chris Braswell. Largely a rotational player for the Tide, Braswell saw the bulk of his action last season when he led the team in pressures (55) and recorded eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss.

Braswell is a physical specimen and a true competitor. What is missing from his game is refinement and a consistency in getting to the quarterback. Essentially drafted to replace Shaq Barrett, Braswell is longer, faster and more explosive but does not have Barrett’s bend or arsenal of pass rush moves.

It will take time for Braswell to mature into a reliable contributor to Tampa Bay’s linebacker rotation. The Bucs’ need for more edge rush may not afford him much time or patience from Todd Bowles. With few options left to them, Tampa Bay gambled on Braswell’s upside, considerable though it is.

Grade: C+

Tampa Bay’s first third-round pick was a blatant attempt to draft another Antoine Winfield Jr. in Georgia S Tykee Smith. Their measurables are practically identical:

Still, the Antoine Winfield Jrs. of the world do not come along every year. Smith is an instinctual defender overall, but Winfield Jr. is still on another level when it comes to reading the field, particularly against the pass.

Smith will likely compete with last year’s undrafted rookie upstart Christian Izien for the starting nickel role. Izien is smaller and maybe a bit less physical but plays with better range. Where Smith should have an immediate impact is on special teams. Despite starting at safety, Smith played coverage and returns on special teams.

In terms of value, the Bucs picked up an immediate rotational contributor with starter potential, a desirable outcome for a third-round pick. The outstanding question is whether Tampa Bay might have addressed a position of greater need of an upgrade with the talent in that range, such as tight end or inside linebacker.

Grade: B

The Bucs are getting a little long in the tooth at receiver, so it was natural for Tampa Bay to inject some youth into the position with WR Jalen McMillan. One of Washington’s impressive triumvirate of receivers in this year’s draft, McMillan was Michael Penix Jr.’s top target in 2022 before injuries limited his production in 2023.

Tampa Bay is not getting a one-for-one replacement of Chris Godwin with McMillan. He does not have Godwin’s reliable hands, dropping 14 passes over his collegiate career, and is not half as developed a blocker as Godwin. McMillan also has little special teams experience.

Nevertheless, his production at Washington suggests McMillan can be a valuable slot receiver and could continue to develop in Tampa Bay’s receiver room, assuming he can stay healthy.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay needed to find a complement for Rachaad White if only to lighten his workload, taking 959 snaps in 2023, second-most among all running backs. They waited until the fourth round to find both a partner for White and a fit for offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s scheme, Oregon RB Bucky Irving.

Irving runs like he is trying to burst out of his 5’9″, 192-pound frame. He forced 69 forced tackles and averaged 3.99 yards after contact according to Pro Football Focus. Irving also boasts excellent vision and feet, maximizing the blocking in front of him. He brings good hands, leading all FBS running backs with 56 catches in 2023.

The biggest issue with Irving is that for his size, he is a mediocre NFL athlete. He does not have exceptional burst or field stretching speed. His size will likely make him a liability as a pass protector in the NFL.

The Bucs were clearly looking for a similar skill set as Rachaad White when they drafted Irving rather than add a back that might get more out of the blocking in front of him, which has obviously been a problem in Tampa Bay for some time. If the Bucs’ run blocking improves with their recent offensive line additions, the Irving pick may yield more production than it appears under the present circumstances.

Grade: C-

Towards the end of the draft, teams are looking for backups, special teamers, the high-upside, low-floor gamble, and the sleeper pick, which is the riskiest of them all. Sleepers presume that a team can scout better than everyone else. For the Bucs, that sleeper is UTEP’s Elijah Klein.

There is nothing outstanding about Klein’s athletic profile. His testing was average at best, though his wingspan and hand size are above the baseline. Looking beyond the measurables, Klein moves quicker than his testing suggests, and he is clearly very strong when engaged.

Klein was not the subject of a lot of pre-draft chatter, but there was some buzz. OL Mastermind’s Duke Manyweather called Klein “one of the biggest sleepers in the draft” and said Klein could be “an NFL starter early on.” As the last sixth-rounder in this draft, any outcome where Klein becomes an NFL starter would make this pick a home run.

Grade: B+

With their last pick in the 2024 draft, the Bucs went with another kind of late-round pick: the high-upside, low floor gamble. Washington TE Devin Culp is a sensational athlete. He was the only tight end with a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Culp brings a large catch radius and has the potential to be a deep threat mismatch in Tampa Bay’s passing offense.

The flip side of Culp’s speed and potential is the reality of his play up to this point. Culp has a serious problem holding onto the ball, dropping 15.4% of his targets during his collegiate career. He has never been targeted more than 29 times in any season and scored just four touchdowns in five seasons at Washington.

At 6’3″ and 231 pounds, Culp is marginally a tight end and more of a big wide receiver without the flexibility to run a full route tree. Against the tight ends already on Tampa Bay’s roster, there is a real chance that Culp does not make the final 53-man roster in September.

Alas, that is the reality of a seventh-round pick. Culp is a low-cost roll of the dice for the Bucs. If he can do enough to just make the roster, the pick is already a win. If not, the practice squad or another team awaits, as it has for many, if not most, seventh-rounders.

Grade: C+

The Bucs’ 2024 draft class is not as splashy as some other teams’ hauls. Tampa Bay simply lacked the draft resources to take huge swings on top players. Instead, Jason Licht and company let the draft fall to them, filling roster holes both now and with an eye to the future.

Overall grade: B

Bucs’ 2024 NFL draft scenarios: Cornerback

The trade of longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III pushed the potential need to draft a corner to the forefront. While the Bucs will want to see if Zyon McCollum has what it takes to start, they’re not likely to start the 2024 …

When it comes to defensive backs, Bucs general manager Jason Licht definitely has a type. Out of the 13 defensive backs Licht has drafted in his 10 years as general manager, just one was under 195 pounds: Special teams ace Ryan Smith. Licht likes his corners big, tall, and usually, fast.

This strategy has largely worked out for head coach Todd Bowles and his defense, as the secondary played a key role in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV victory and the defense’s overall resurgence since 2019. Bowles’ aggression and frequent blitzing forces his cornerbacks to be well-rounded, versatile defenders.

Of all the top cornerbacks available, DeJean not only meets the traits thresholds, but he is a perfect fit for what Todd Bowles wants from his defense. At six feet and 202 pounds, DeJean is at worst a little short for an ideal Bucs cornerback, but he plays with every ounce of his being.

The Iowa corner is one of the best run defenders in this year’s draft class, and can play multiple positions in the secondary. While the Bucs need an outside corner most of all, DeJean would be an overall weapon for Bowles not unlike All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. If he falls to the 26th pick and the top pass-rushers are off the board, DeJean should be the pick for Tampa Bay.

McKinstry is a relatively safe pick. He has the requisite traits to play cornerback in the NFL, and his play for the Crimson Tide indicates he is a smart and instinctive defensive back. The only real problem is he does not have a ton of upside, which is less than ideal for a potential first-round pick.

At 5’11” and 196 pounds, McKinstry just meets the Bucs’ typical threshold for a cornerback. He has NFL-quality cover skills, but his run defense leaves much to be desired. Overall, he is an awkward style fit for Todd Bowles defense, but he would give them a boost as a cover corner.

If Jason Licht’s historical drafting patterns are any indication, Hart is a bulls-eye target for the Bucs this year. He brings ideal size at 6’3″ and 202 pounds, and enough athleticism to hang with NFL wide receivers. There are technique deficiencies in coverage, and Hart lacks ball production, but these are the same problems Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean had coming out. Hart is the kind of bet Licht tends to make in the middle of draft, and could be taken with one of the Bucs’ third-round picks.

Anusiem has the two key traits the Bucs look for in a cornerback: size and speed. Anusiem is six feet and 200 pounds, and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. What is missing is production and refined technique. What will get him over the hump with Tampa Bay is the attitude he brings to the field. Anusiem will start out on special teams, but he is the kind of player who will fight for every rep at cornerback.

The Bucs’ size threshold on defensive backs is not absolute, but there is usually some mitigating factor. Ryan Smith was just 5’11” and 189 pounds, but he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and was highly productive coming out of North Carolina Central in the FCS, recording 168 tackles over his collegiate career.

Drew bears a similar profile at 5’11” and 191 pounds,with a 4.46 40 time. Drew was a terror for Division II quarterbacks, recording 11 interceptions and 39 pass break-ups in 28 starts at Virginia State. He plays aggressively and shows promising ball skills. Drew is by no means a prospective replacement for Carlton Davis III, but he could be a solid depth addition with the Bucs’ sixth-round pick.

2024 NFL mock draft: Early trades and QBs abound

The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly here, which means more smoke than actual fire will permeate draft reporting and mock drafts. Some picks are now pretty locked in, but nothing characterizes the immediate lead-up to the draft like unyielding chaos. This …

This year should be exceptionally turbulent, thanks to the deep class of quarterbacks and the many teams that need starting passers. No mock draft would be truly complete without some wild trades, and certainly not this one, in any case.

Here’s our latest look at how the first round of the 2024 NFL draft could go:

*projected trade

Caleb Williams will be a Chicago Bear. The bigger question is how long will Williams pretend to like deep dish pizza once he is in Chicago?

There are simply too many signs pointing to the Commanders’ preference for Daniels over Drake Maye. He is a perfect fit for Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid-style offense and has a similar profile to current Commanders’ quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The Broncos trade a second round-pick this year, a first next year and another first the year after to make this move up to get Drake Maye. Denver head coach Sean Payton is not going to wait for a quarterback to fall in his lap. Maye is not necessarily what Drew Brees was for Payton, but then again, Brees was hardly a finished product before playing for Payton. Maye has plenty of tools for Payton to mold into a starting NFL passer.

Surprise! Marvin Harrison Jr. is not the first wide receiver off the board. He may be the polished and complete receiver in this year’s draft class, but Nabers is by far the most explosive. Kyler Murray is at his best when he stretches the field, and there is no player in this draft better suited than Nabers.

There’s no way the Vikings aren’t making the move up for a quarterback after adding a second first-round pick this year. While the No. 5 overall pick may be a little rich of an unfinished product like McCarthy, he fits the profile of a Shanahan/McVay-style offense as well as any quarterback in this class.

The Giants just need someone to get open. Harrison has plenty of tools in his tool belt to accomplish that. New York’s uncertain quarterback situation may dampen Harrison’s rookie season, but he immediately legitimizes the team’s receiving corps.

The only pick that’s near as certain as the Bears taking Caleb Williams is the Titans drafting Alt. Nashville is running on different clocks than everyone else thanks to the black hole that Tennessee has at left tackle.

The Falcons will want to get the most defensive bang for their buck with the No. 8 overall pick. Turner has the most upside of any edge defender while already showing the ability to play a variety of roles on defense. Raheem Morris might get the centerpiece of his defense here.

While the Bears would certainly benefit from a wide receiver of Odunze’s caliber, the Jaguars must be desperate to get Trevor Lawrence an actual WR1 as his rookie contract nears its end. They give up a future first to move up for the former Huskies star.

Joe Douglas did a lot of work in free agency to fill every possible hole on New York’s offense, likely in no small part to give the Jets maximum flexibility in the draft. However, the obvious move here is to continue to add pieces to the offensive line. Fautanu could play any position on the line, but he will likely be a tackle in waiting for the oft-injured Tyron Smith.

Between the Chargers’ salary cap purge and the arrival of Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles will need to maximize their draft capital for the impending roster makeover. The first piece of the puzzle is Fuaga, who will fortify the offensive line and give them the kind of physicality Harbaugh covets.

Like the Chargers, the Patriots have a new head coach and a lot of needs. Though quarterback was chief among them, New England’s offense is in no shape to drop a rookie in it. The first thing they need is a reliable pass protector. Fashanu is not the tank that some of his peers are, but he may be the best athlete, and arguably possesses the best pass-blocking skills in the bunch.

If the Raiders think Penix is their guy, there is no reason to wait to take him in the second round or otherwise try to move up late. He is a better-than-advertised athlete, and has the tools and confidence to make any throw on the field. Las Vegas’ roster is in no-man’s land. They have every reason to take a swing on the 2023 Heisman runner-up.

The Saints’ offensive line is very suddenly a mess. They likely cannot count on either Trevor Penning or Ryan Ramcyzk heading into the 2024 season. Mims is a gamble himself, having played just 803 snaps in his college career. Gambling, however, is what Saints GM Mickey Loomis does.

While the Colts may be better off taking the best available offensive skill player to maximize Anthony Richardson’s progress, Colts GM Chris Ballard tends to go favor positional value and supreme athleticism. Mitchell provides both, and fills a big need for the defense.

New Seattle HC Mike McDonald may insist on putting his stamp on the roster and take a defensive player despite the many needs on offense. Verse is not the fastest or craftiest edge defender in the class, but his immense play strength will make him useful quickly on McDonald’s adaptive defense.

The Bears don’t get one of the top three receivers, but they do get something they may need more right now: an interior pass rusher. Murphy was a game-wrecker for the Longhorns, and likely will be in the NFL, as well.

Losing D.J. Reader was a bigger deal than Cincinnati likes to acknowledge. He was the key to what little run defense they could muster last season. Newton does not have Reader’s size, but he brings explosion and dynamism to a similar end.

Despite adding three new starters, the Rams secondary is old and creaky. The only proven starter under 30 is safety Kam Curl. DeJean has the talent to redefine the Rams’ identity on defense, and gives them added juice on special teams, especially with the new kickoff rules.

The Steelers’ 2023 plan at cornerback was puzzling to say the least. The only thing that worked out was rookie Joey Porter Jr. This year they complete the rebuild of their secondary by taking Alabama breakout Arnold, who just feels like a Steelers corner.

The Dolphins can’t finish Day 1 of the draft without an offensive lineman. It almost doesn’t matter if they go guard, tackle, or even center. They just need help after all their losses and the age of their returning starters. Latham is a monster of a man who would ideally work as a tackle, but would also fit as a guard.

The Eagles usually draft a year or so ahead of when they will actually need the player. Right tackle Lane Johnson will be 34 years old this season, and is a frequent guest on Philadelphia’s injury report. A raw but gifted athlete, Guyton is a logical succession plan for when Johnson retires.

The Chargers’ trade haul began with help in the trenches. They now get help for Justin Herbert, who is currently staring down the 2024 season without a WR1 or a WR2. Thomas Jr. needs seasoning, but he brings undeniable talent to a receiving corps that has anything but.

Dak Prescott’s contract forced some tough choices for the Cowboys’ roster, but Dallas’ first thought should still be how to best help their franchise quarterback. Powers-Johnson is an excellent center whose best quality may be the attitude adjustment he’s sure to bring to the Dallas offensive line.

The Packers’ roster moves along the secondary have been hit-or-miss over the past few years. They take another swing on a corner to hold down receivers across from Jaire Alexander. Wiggins is undersized, but mitigates this with tight coverage dripping with attitude.

This is best case scenario for the Buccaneers. Latu is the edge defender most likely to meet Tampa Bay’s immediate need for pass rush. The FBS’ leading sack artist in 2023 could continue to feast in Todd Bowles’ aggressive, blitz-happy defense.

Outside OT Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona’s offensive line is stitched together with free-agent castoffs. The Cardinals continue to reset their roster with a foundational piece like Barton, who could fit multiple positions on the line and keep Arizona’s options open well into the future.

The Bills hit a soft reset on their roster this offseason, disassembling their secondary and their wide receiver corps. At the end of the day though, Buffalo is all about Josh Allen, who just needs someone to get open. There is no wide receiver left on the board who does that better than McConkey.

The Lions under Dan Campbell have embodied the blue-collar identity of Detroit. What better addition fits this attitude than Robinson, who looks and plays like an old school 4-3 defensive end. He doesn’t have speed or bend, but his ability to crush pockets with sheer strength will make Aidan Hutchinson’s job much easier.

The Ravens eschew positional value and draft trends, opting instead for just plain good football players. McKinstry was not as flashy for Alabama in 2023 as he was in 2022, but that’s because opposing offenses avoided throwing his direction. While his draft preparation appeared similarly unremarkable, Baltimore refuses to overthink McKinstry’s talent here.

Despite Kyle Shanahan’s mystique as a conjurer of solid offensive line play regardless of who is actually playing on San Francisco’s offensive line, the 49ers need to inject talent into that group. Trent Williams is not getting any younger, and the rest of the line has little upside. Suamataia is largely an upside projection, but the Niners have enough talent on offense to get by while they see if he can give their line the boost it badly needs.

How did this happen? Brock Bowers is one of the ten most talented players in this year’s draft, and he falls to the last pick of the first round? Blame it on positional value whiplash, as tight ends taken in the first round over the past several years have failed to pan out while many taken on Day 2 have yielded value and production. It doesn’t help that Bowers is undersized and will not fit a traditional tight end role. That won’t bother Kansas City, who now have their Travis Kelce succession plan, and a player who will actually get open for Patrick Mahomes.

2024 NFL mock draft: Surprise picks highlight new 1st-round projection

With just weeks left before the 2024 NFL draft, the rumor mill is churning at full tilt, disseminating truths and otherwise into the draft ecosphere. This maelstrom of gossip may just be for the public’s benefit, but some of it may look to sway …

Teams are also taking visits from the top prospects, which may be a smokescreen in itself. A visit or lack thereof does not denote likelihood of a draft position. Just ask Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who did not take a Top-30 visit to One Buc Place last year.

Here’s our updated take on how the first round of the 2024 NFL draft could turn out:

*projected trade

The Windy City has just a couple weeks left before Caleb Williams blows into town.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s ears are hearing more Jayden Daniels than Drake Maye in Washington. With Kliff Kingsbury running the Commanders offense, Daniels’ dual-threat ability does make sense for Washington.

The first real inflection point of this year’s draft, the third-overall pick depends entirely on how the Patriots feel about the remaining quarterbacks. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Maye took a Top-30 visit with New England last week. If any of the remaining quarterbacks can make good out of a bad situation like they would have to with New England’s mediocre offense, it’s Maye who put North Carolina’s offense on his back last season.

It would be hard to imagine the Cardinals doing anything but taking Harrison here. Their offense lacks a primary receiving threat, and Harrison Jr. is as polished as any receiving prospect in recent memory.

The Vikings did not acquire a second first-round pick for nothing. With the Giants potentially eyeing an upgrade over Daniel Jones, Minnesota moves up for McCarthy. The Michigan quarterback is a bit of an enigma given how little he was asked to do by Jim Harbaugh, but his upside is a fit for Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly offense.

While the Giants may be tempted to nab Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. here, Nabers is a safer prospect. The LSU receiver can stretch the field like no other player in this year’s class. He might even be able to get Daniel Jones to look like a quality starter again.

Just like the Cardinals taking Harrison, the Titans taking Alt makes too much sense. After signing Calvin Ridley, Tennessee’s biggest and most obvious need is at left tackle. Alt is the most complete tackle in the class, and a foundational piece of what Ran Carthon is building in Tennessee.

The Falcons may need an edge rusher more than a cornerback, but Mitchell is a better prospect than any edge defender in this year’s class. His production and athleticism would drastically improve Atlanta’s secondary.

While passing on Washington WR Rome Odunze may pain Bears fans, Newton could be a game-changer for Chicago’s defense. Matt Eberflus made his name coordinating Indianapolis’ defense, where he had a one-man wrecking crew in DeForest Buckner. Newton doesn’t have Buckner’s length, but he could be every bit as disruptive.

As good as they are, Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses should not stop the Jets from drafting an offensive lineman. Neither is under contract beyond 2024, and Smith has not played a full season in nearly a decade. Fautanu could play just about any position on the line, something the Jets needed last year, and probably will not allow to happen again.

The trade-down gambit pays off. With an extra first-round pick from Minnesota, the Chargers can do the right thing here and get Justin Herbert a new WR1. Odunze can do just about anything and play just about anywhere.

The Broncos need a quarterback, but Sean Payton is unlikely to hitch his wagon to the fifth passer on the board. Instead, he works on upgrading a defense that ranked 25th in EPA per play allowed last season. Turner can do it all, and has the elite athleticism to become a dangerous pass rusher.

It is hard to not fall in love with Penix’s arm, and the unshakeable confidence with which he wields it. That kind of confidence is the kind of thing Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce seems to love. A lot of teams might be scared to draft Penix in the first round, which is probably why Pierce would go for it.

The news for the Saints’ offensive line only gets worse. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, RT Ryan Ramczyk may not be able to play next season due to his ongoing knee issues. Coupled with Trevor Penning’s lack of development, New Orleans desperately needs tackle help. Fuaga is an immediate starter, which is likely to factor into the Saints’ considerations on which tackle they should take.

Bowers is not a typical Chris Ballard draft pick. He is light and small for a tight end. However, he is probably the best offensive weapon left on the board. The Colts need to do everything they can to maximize Anthony Richardson’s development.

Seattle’s interior offensive line is a bit of a mess. Barton is position flexible, and an absolute beast of a man. This would be an easy fix for the Seahawks.

The Jaguars have wasted the flexibility afforded to them by Trevor Lawrence’s rookie contract, in small part due to the inconsistent weapons they provided him. Thomas has WR1 upside and was a scoring machine at LSU, leading all college receivers with 17 touchdowns last year. He may be the missing piece to Lawrence realizing his potential as a top NFL passer.

The Dolphins hop ahead of the Rams because both teams have holes in their defensive trenches, and defensive tackles are hard to come by in this year’s draft. Murphy will not be able to immediately replace what Christian Wilkins brought to the Miami defense, but with his athleticism, he will make an impact sooner than later.

The Rams land the most polished edge rusher in the draft with Latu. With Aaron Donald gone, Los Angeles needs to add pass rush help wherever they can.

And so begins the run on offensive tackles.

The Chargers move up to get their pick of the remaining tackles on the board. Latham is everything Jim Harbaugh wants and the Chargers need. He is a straight bulldozer in the run game, and has plenty of experience at right tackle.

Mims landing in Cincinnati would be a great fit for both parties. Mims played just 401 snaps at Georgia, so a little seasoning is in order. The Bengals signed Trent Brown to a one-year deal, which would allow Mims to settle in at right tackle rather than dumping him straight into the fire.

Fashanu is probably the best pure athlete in the offensive tackle class, and is already a great pass protector. He drops this far because he still needs to play with more power and strength, particularly as a run blocker. He is also just 21 years old, so he can afford to sit behind Lane Johnson and learn how the Eagles play their right tackle.

The cornerback position was an unmitigated disaster for Pittsburgh last year, aside from the emergence of Joey Porter Jr., who had a strong rookie season. The Steelers traded for Donte Jackson, but he is playing on a one-year deal. Pittsburgh shores up the secondary for the foreseeable future by drafting the athletic Arnold.

While the Cowboys defense is begging for help after their embarrassing loss to the 49ers in the playoffs, they opt instead to help Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb by adding a true “X” receiver. Mitchell will take some of the load off Lamb, and give Prescott a massive target.

The Packers spent this offseason reloading their porous secondary, and it’s only fitting that they cap it off with one of the best coverage players in the class. Though Wiggins is a bit light, he makes up for it with sheer competitiveness, a trait that worked out for Green Bay when they drafted Jaire Alexander in 2018.

Tampa Bay’s offensive line has not been the same since center Ryan Jensen suffered a catastrophic knee injury during training camp in 2022. Powers-Johnson is built from the same mold as Jensen, violent but smart, with enough attitude to reshape the culture of the entire unit.

Any defensive help is a must for the Cardinals in the back of the first round. Verse falling this far is a boon for Arizona, who have some decent rotational pass rushers, but no one deserving top billing.

Buffalo gutted their secondary and wide receiver room this offseason, cutting, trading or not re-signing almost half a dozen starters. Buffalo may opt to believe that Josh Allen can elevate the receivers himself, and address their depleted secondary. DeJean is an excellent fit because he can do just about anything, which Buffalo needs.

Detroit is in win-now mode and in need of secondary help. McKinstry is not an elite athlete, but he’s still a great cornerback not dissimilar from newly acquired veteran Carlton Davis III.

The Ravens are looking at new starters at three spots along the offensive line, while continuing to gamble on Ronnie Stanley’s health. Guyton is far from a finished product, but his ceiling is as high as just about any other tackle in the class. He’s about as good an option as the Ravens have to play right tackle while giving them a long-term plan on the left side.

The Niners’ Super Bowl window is still open, but they have big issues on the offensive line outside of Trent Williams. Suamataia is very much a project, but he’ s a tremendous athlete who could thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s system. He does not need to start right away (and likely won’t), but if he can come on late in the season, he may be able to push San Francisco over the threshold needed to finally win the last game of the season.

Somehow, Patrick Mahomes won a Super Bowl with arguably the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL last year. As excellent as Mahomes is, Kansas City cannot afford another year of dreadful receiver play if they want a three-peat. McConkey just plain gets open, a trait missing from last year’s receiving group. He can also line up anywhere on the field, which Andy Reid is sure to test.

Grading the Bucs’ 2024 free agent moves

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 offseason with a number of potential roster holes to fill. Rather than take their chances on the open market, the Bucs focused on retaining their own players, many of whom where among the best at the …

With a little more cap space this year than last now that Tom Brady’s contract is off the books, the Bucs are having to do a little less kicking the can down the road and, after securing key starters, are already adding depth pieces along the roster.

Here are the grades for the Bucs’ free agent moves so far in the 2024 offseason:

The biggest move of the Bucs’ offseason so far was retaining future Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Mike Evans. Tampa Bay signed Evans to a two-year, $41 million deal with $29 million fully guaranteed. Evans was one of the best wide receivers heading into free agency, a fact that neither escaped the Bucs or forced them to pay too high a price. Keeping Evans also likely played a major role in the Bucs’ ability to retain Baker Mayfield as well.

Grade: A

The franchise tag is little more than a placeholder for the Bucs’ best defensive player in 2023. A deal will get done, and Winfield Jr. will likely see a higher average annual salary than the $17.1 million he would make on the tag. Either way, Tampa Bay will have one of the best safeties in the NFL on its roster in 2024.

Grade: B+

Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay on a team-friendly three-year, $100 million contract that contains potential exits in the second and third year. Averaging $33 million per year, Mayfield got more than Seattle QB Geno Smith but fell under Giants QB Daniel Jones’ bloated $162 million deal. Mayfield is an above average to average NFL quarterback, which his paycheck now reflects. In exchange, the Bucs maintain continuity under center and remain a playoff contender.

Grade: A-

The Bucs locked up one of the best kickers in the NFL on a modest three-year, $12.8 million deal. Last year, McLaughlin was top-10 in field goal conversion rate and was one of eight kickers who were perfect on extra points. Yet, he only has the 13th-highest average annual contract value among all kickers. Tampa Bay can put fears of its kicking woes returning for the foreseeable future.

Grade: A

Gaines was a useful rotational defensive lineman for the Bucs last season, playing 42% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps. He is not a game-changer, but Gaines’ one-year, $5.4 million deal hardly pays him to be one. He provides solid depth in the trenches and a veteran presence on a young defense.

Grade: C+

Trading cornerback Carlton Davis III as well as two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions for a 2024 third-rounder was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of free agency in Tampa Bay. Davis has been the Bucs’ best cornerback since he was drafted in 2018 despite struggling with injuries throughout his NFL career. Those injuries and his 2024 cap hit apparently drove the Bucs to dealing Davis. Getting a pick just one round removed from Davis’ original draft position softens the blow, but questions remain regarding the future of Tampa Bay’s cornerback group.

Grade: B–

The Bucs’ longest-tenured player returns to the team on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. Even at 34 years-old, David is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. His price tag is a bit higher than last year, but the Bucs also have more money to spend. David is the leader of Tampa Bay’s defense and a pillar of the organization. There was no other move to make.

Grade: B

The Bucs’ first external free agent signing is not all that unfamiliar. A fourth-round draft pick for Tampa Bay in 2018, Whitehead returns after two years with the Jets on a two-year, $9 million contract. He is a marked upgrade from Ryan Neal and should drastically improve the Bucs’ run defense.

Grade: B+

Trading Carlton Davis III left a hole at cornerback, and though the Bucs will likely look to Zyon McCollum to step up, adding former Jets CB Bryce Hall on a one-year deal gives them flexibility. Hall has starting experience and the size that the Bucs prefer at cornerback.

Grade: B-

The Bucs added former Giants guard Ben Bredeson on a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million. It’s a potential starter deal but likely is more of an insurance policy for Tampa Bay’s draft results. Bredeson started 24 games for New York over the past two seasons but was by no means a difference-maker.

Grade: C-

Opeta is another depth signing with a potential to start. Joining the Bucs on a one-year deal, Opeta started six games at guard for Philadelphia last season. He will do in a pinch but, like Bredenson, is not a long-term answer for Tampa Bay’s offensive line.

Important offseason dates for Bucs fans to know

With the end of the Super Bowl, we’re officially in the offseason — here are some important dates to look out for:

With the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl (again), the offseason has officially started for the NFL — and naturally, that includes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs are set to enter the offseason with a number of free agents needing signing and some holes to plug during the draft, and they’ll have the opportunity to do that for the remaining months until football season starts. There are a few dates coming up that mark important milestones for any football team, and you can see what they are and how exactly they apply to the Bucs in our handy list below: