The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine comes to a close and free agency looms. As a result, players have begun to shift on mocks based on evaluations made in Indianapolis. Each team is building towards the future of the franchise and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the 19th pick in the first round. There has not been consensus on who the Bucs will take on Day One - ranging from edge, linebacker, cornerback to receiver – however, here is the latest predications from various outlets on who will be called in Round One:
NFL.com
- Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (Feb.25)
- Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
- Comments: With Chris Godwin heading toward free agency and Mike Evans entering his 12th NFL season, the Buccaneers continue to replenish the receiver room with a skilled pass catcher who offers a mature game. Egbuka is a fluid athlete with strong hands and polished route-running skills, giving Tampa Bay another young weapon alongside 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan.
CBS Sports
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (Mar.3)
- Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- Comments: Jihaad Campbell is, in a word, explosive. He can rush the passer from the edge or play off-ball linebacker, and he'll look like the best player on the field from either position. He's one of the best athletes in this class, and the scary part is he's just scratching the surface; he's going to get bigger, stronger and faster -- and he just turned 21 years old in February.
The Draft Network
- Justin Melo, The Draft Network (Mar.2)
- Pick: LB/Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
- Comments: Buccaneers GM Jason Licht believes in consistently investing in the trenches and he's set to lose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson to free agency. Jalon Walker has front-seven flexibility at off-ball linebacker and traditional edge rusher. Walker is flexible and explosive, and would quickly make an impact playing next to the already stellar supporting cast in place.
PFF
- Dalton Wasserman, PFF (Feb.24)
- Pick (trade with Rams, No.26): Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
- Comments: Tampa Bay gains an extra pick from the Rams and picks up a versatile, high-ceiling player in Williams. While he still needs to develop as a pass-rusher, Williams would help a Buccaneers edge unit that had just one player grade above 60.0 in run defense last season.
The Athletic
- Name, The Athletic College Writers (Feb.25)
- Pick: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
- Comments: It'd be nice to draft a successor to Lavonte David, but I don't love any of the inside linebackers at this spot. Instead, I'll default to the idea that you can never have too many pass rushers. Ezeiruaku was the ACC's defensive player of the year, his 16 1/2 sacks during the regular season leading the nation and tying a program record. Maybe this is a reach, but I'll take his productivity over a more highly regarded prospect like Tennessee's James Pearce Jr.
