Free agency is just around the corner as the negotiating period looms, with each NFL club building for the future. The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books as various college prospects upped their stock with impressive testing metrics inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Now, as evaluations continue to commence and input weighed by personnel departments around the NFL, each club will create their respective draft boards. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the 19th pick in the first round in April. Here is the latest predictions from multiple networks on who will be called for the Bucs in Round One:
NFL.com
- Charles Davis, NFL.com (Mar.5)
- Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Comments: He's Mike Evans Lite in size, stature and play style. McMillan fits into the Bucs' scheme perfectly.
CBS Sports
- Garrett Podell, CBS Sports (Mar.10)
- Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- Comments: Buccaneers defensive pillar Lavonte David is 35 years old. Yes, he did re-sign on a one-year deal, but Tampa Bay drafts his replacement. The 2024 first-team All-SEC linebacker's 117 tackles last season were the most in a season at Alabama since current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans' 126 in 2003.
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
- Max Chadwick, PFF (Mar.10)
- Pick: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
- Comments: The Buccaneers have needs at linebacker and in their secondary. Emmanwori can help at both as an athletic box safety who measures 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. He had a freakish performance at the combine and would be a versatile chess piece for head coach Todd Bowles to move around in his defense.
The Athletic
- Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic (Mar.10)
- Pick: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
- Comments: Ezeiruaku is the type of player who climbs your draft board every single time you watch one of his games. He plays with great effort and a deep, polished set of pass-rush moves. Ezeiruaku lives for the little details that turn pressures into sacks, and he had a terrific combine as the only defensive lineman to run a three-cone of under seven seconds (6.94).
