As the draft nears and teams finalize their draft boards, prospects will rise and fall on mocks as free agency moves occur. During the offseason scramble, the Buccaneers re-signed Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Anthony Nelson and Sterling Shepard among others, while bringing in Haason Reddick and Anthony Walker Jr. Here are the latest predictions of what the Bucs will do in the first round at pick 19:
NFL.com
Pick: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Comments: Stewart's lack of production and lack of elite change of direction are concerning when projecting him as a pure edge rusher. However, teams like Tampa Bay who could use the Texas A&M product as a 5-technique on obvious passing situations will appreciate his strength and versatility.
CBS Sports
Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Comments: They need to get a playmaker at linebacker. Even with Lavonte David back for a year, how much does he have left? Campbell can play off the ball, but he can also rush the passer in some situations. He is coming off a shoulder injury, but he would be worth it for Tampa Bay in this spot.
The Draft Network
Pick: SAF Malaki Starks, Georgia
Comments: Malaki Starks is one of the smartest players in this class, and Tampa Bay's secondary was a problem last season. He's a versatile safety who can play single-high and split-field coverage and can also play the nickel role for a defense that isn't afraid to come downhill and defend the run.
PFF
Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Key Stat: Opposing quarterbacks produced a 34.2 passer rating when targeting Barron's coverage in 2024 — lower than if they threw it into the ground on every play (39.6).
Bottom Line: The word "versatile" gets thrown around too much with defensive back prospects, but Barron is exactly that. As a natural zone defender with excellent instincts and anticipation, he is a starting-caliber pro at safety, wide cornerback or nickel defender — sometimes as all three in the same game — for Cover 3- or quarters-heavy schemes.
The Athletic
Pick: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Comments: The secondary lacks needed quality, especially at cornerback, but safety offers the best options with Barron and Will Johnson off the board. Emmanwori is an athletic freak — the 6-3 safety popped at the combine with a 4.38 40-yard time and 43-inch vertical jump — who returned two of his four interceptions last season for touchdowns.
