We’re coming to the end of the 2024 NFL mock draft season, but the folks over at Pro Football Focus have given us one more seven-round projection to digest and dissect before the real thing goes down this week in Detroit.
This projection is a massive whiff for the Bucs across just about every pick, failing to hit on some of their biggest needs, and struggling to maximize value across the board.
In the first round, this mock has the Bucs spending the No. 26 overall pick on Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, passing on Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson and Penn State edge defender Chop Robinson.
On Day 2, the Bucs spend their second-rounder on Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, addressing a position they don’t need to upgrade at the expense of multiple glaring needs elsewhere. Michigan linebacker Junior Colson went with the very next pick, and would have been a perfect fit. Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe, UConn guard Christian Haynes, and Rutgers cornerback Max Melton were also on the board, and would have been much better selections.
In the third round, Tampa Bay finally addresses their need for an edge rusher, but reaches for Clemson’s Xavier Thomas. Two offensive lineman were picked right afterward (Kansas’ Dominick Puni, Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran-Granger), either of which would have been a better value and filled a huge need. They make another luxury pick with their additional third-rounder, taking Michigan running back Blake Corum, spending another premium selection on a backup role player instead of a potential starter.
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo was a solid value in the fourth round, as was Washington State edge defender Brennan Jackson at the end of the sixth round. South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden is an intriguing seventh-rounder.
The Bucs need multiple upgrades in the starting lineup along the offensive line (center, left guard), so to see them go all seven rounds without picking a single offensive lineman was mind-boggling. Spending two of their four top-100 picks on a tight end and a running back while ignoring more important positions with bigger needs was equally disappointing.
To check out the full seven-round mock draft for all 32 teams at PFF, click here.
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