Gone are the endless projections of which names will be called from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and the Buccaneers made six selections with no trades throughout the three-day proceedings. Tampa Bay has received praise for their acquisitions, with a A-B consensus among analysts. The Bucs added receiver Emeka Egbuka (first round), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (second round), cornerback Jacob Parrish (third round), outside linebacker David Walker (fourth round), defensive lineman Elijah Roberts (fifth round) and receiver Tez Johnson (seventh round). None of these players have completed a single snap in the pros yet so while the grades are subjective, hope abounds. Here are a few draft evaluations:
Chad Reuter handed the Bucs a B+ grade for the selection of Emeka Egbuka during the first round and gave the Bucs a B for their Day Two picks and a B+ for their Day Three selections.
"I pegged Egbuka as a top-20 talent, so I wasn't surprised by where he was taken, despite the Buccaneers' more evident roster needs. They addressed one of those areas -- the secondary -- with a pair of Day 2 picks, which could pay off if Morrison rebounds from a hip injury and the 5-10, 191-pound Parrish outplays his size."
Bleacher report raved on the addition of Emeka Egbuka to the Buccaneers' receiver arsenal, when on the field with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Then, went on to praise the selection of defensive prospects in the middle rounds to bolster depth, notably in the secondary.
"The strategy of adding an immediate contributor at receiver and then throwing multiple darts at the defense was logical. Whether that plan will allow the Buccaneers to repeat as NFC South champions (again) remains to be seen. However, it was another solid draft outing by a front office that has gotten good at identifying and adding young talent."
Pete Prisco dubbed third-round selection Jacob Parrish as the club's "best pick" with his ability to compete for the nickel corner role and Parrish's versatility on the back end.
"It's time Bucs general manager Jason Licht gets the due for being a good drafter. He continues to nail his picks. This draft was no different. Egbuka going in the first was a little odd -- even if he is a good player -- but Licht made up for it the rest of the draft. He got two corners in Benjamin Morrison and Parrish, which they needed. I like seventh-round receiver Tez Johnson. He plays faster than he ran at the combine."
Rob Rang believes both Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish may be 2025 Draft "steals," and praised new edges David Walker and Elijah Roberts. He noted the effectiveness of Emeka Egbuka as a weapon for Baker Mayfield and mentioned the speed of seventh-rounder, Tez Johnson.
"Double-dipping was the clear strategy for the Bucs in 2025 with two picks apiece dedicated to receiver, cornerback and edge rusher. The smartest teams draft for the future, anticipating rather than reacting, and that is precisely the strategy GM Jason Licht and the Bucs took in nabbing Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall."
