What would a “perfect” Bucs draft actually look like?
Trading down, stockpiling picks, and overhauling the defense might be the blueprint.
This is a time of year when fans and reporters pitch their best draft plan, all while front offices put the final touches on their draft boards and weigh all possible scenarios.
With that said, Pewter Report’s most recent Live Bucs Mock Draft Show not only featured a big-time guest but led to a big-time draft haul.
Pewter Report alum and NFL Stock Exchange Podcast host Trevor Sikkema joined Josh Queipo and yours truly to outline an approach Tampa Bay could take when it comes time to turn in the picks. Here is how it all played out.
Bucs Trade Down, Land Future ILB
Whether or not the Bucs trade down in the first round continues to be something to monitor as general manager Jason Licht gauges the value of staying at No. 15 compared to moving back and accumulating picks. When it came time to present our picks, that is where things got interesting.
The options on the board were Penn State’s Vega Ioane, Utah’s Spencer Fano, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. All of them were tantalizing, but none really stuck out for being “the guy” at 15th overall.
Given what Licht said at the NFL Annual Meeting and the trade partner that could present itself, we traded No. 15 and No. 195 to the Steelers for No. 21, No. 85, and No. 121. While expecting them to take Alabama’s Ty Simpson, they instead selected Sadiq, leaving the choice between Mesidor and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Texas Tech ILB Jacob Rodriguez – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Giese
“To me, Rodriguez might be a player, who if you want to get cheeky with it and want to trade down a little bit, maybe you get some extra picks,” Sikkema said. “Rodriguez probably becomes a little bit more in range of where other teams might take him.”
By moving down, it then became clear he would be the pick, even with some size concerns that were addressed.
“I want to make it clear — I think he should be considered in the first round,” Sikkema added. “When it comes to top 15, I think to answer your question of what holds him back a little bit is he is just over 6-foot-1, that’s 46th percentile. The weight, right around 230, that’s 21st percentile. The arm length is 11th percentile, although a big Combine — the fix was in this year it felt like for some of the arm lengths. I’ll give him maybe a half an inch on top of that. He’s close to a 20th-30th percentile build for an NFL linebacker all-around. It’s okay at middle linebacker, you can get away with that.”
In the end, acquiring picks and netting J-Rod still allowed us to start cooking.
Day 2 Replenishes The Bucs Defense
At No. 46, the top option remaining on the board was Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas, who Josh Queipo made a bold take about.
“I literally posted right before the show, I got him over [Reuben] Bain Jr., I got him over Mesidor, I got him over [Cashius] Howell, so I love R Mason Thomas.”
Sikkema suitably responded by calling Queipo a “SICKO” and then shared his analysis.
Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kevin Jairaj
“I’m no stranger to loving R Mason Thomas, though. He was my EDGE2 going into the year. Now, I think there are just some overall size limitations that he has, but when you talk about his ability to get off the ball — it’s top of the class… just getting low and firing off the ball. That’s the type of talent that we’re talking about here.”
After adding Rodriguez and Thomas, the defensive picks did not stop there.
Both inside linebacker and outside linebacker are two of the team’s biggest needs following free agency, but another need that has surfaced is cornerback. Head coach Todd Bowles made it clear at the NFL Annual Meeting that the team definitely needs to add a cornerback, and one player who could fit is Duke’s Chandler Rivers.
Duke CB Chandler Rivers – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Mark Konezny
Rivers not only checks the boxes for his playstyle in being a similar build to Jacob Parrish, but his athleticism won Sikkema over at No. 77.
“He ran a 4.4 flat, had a 39-inch vert… we’re in, baby.”
After selecting Rivers, the discussion shifted to offense.
In fitting fashion, it turned into whether or not the Bucs should go with another tight end, which is a position they remain interested in even after re-signing Cade Otton. Finding an X wide receiver was also consideration, but a notion that was ultimately pushed back against. Adding a hybrid defender that could fit in multiple roles proved too much to pass up.
Although there are concerns about his NFL fit, Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis was the pick at No. 85.
“I’m a big fan of his,” Sikkema said. “I just love the speed that he plays with. I think he’s a very tenacious football player. He just makes your team faster, he makes your team smarter, and he makes the defense more versatile.”
Rounding Out The Bucs Roster
Picking At No. 116, there were still plenty of defensive players on the board. After seeing Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan on the board, Trevor Sikkema’s face lit up.
“Oh, we’re drafting Chris McClellan. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah… Chris McClellan rules.
Missouri DT Chris McClellan – Photo by: IMAGN Images- Vasha Hunt
“To me, he is a really stout defensive tackle who I think his tape is better than even his run defense grades that we gave him. He was a major difference-maker, I think he’s got top 100 potential, for sure.”
After going with five straight defensive picks, that theme continued at No. 121.
Although Tampa Bay has beefed up the outside pass rush this offseason with Al-Quadin Muhammad and after taking R Mason Thomas in this mock draft, it could be the one position where Jason Licht double dips to take more dart throws at landing a key piece. Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger was the pick for his athleticism and ability to be a designated pass rusher as soon as 2026.
Finally, at pick No. 155, the offensive side of the football was addressed.
Bucs OC Zac Robinson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
After seeing what the unit went through last season after injuries to left guard Ben Bredeson and right guard Cody Mauch, the interior offensive line is an area where reinforcements could be added. Texas A&M’s Trey Zuhn III played offensive tackle for the Aggies but is someone who projects to be an offensive guard at the next level. Doesn’t that sound like a Licht kind of player?
Taking Zuhn led to just one more pick at No. 229. After bypassing a wide receiver earlier in the draft, there was one more option who could fit the “X” kind of mold, even as a developmental player.
“[Georgia’s] Colbie Young is a player that’s got some really good size to him. This is the kind of X receiver you can take a chance on here. I think Colbie Young is pretty talented. He just only got to show that in limited flashes.”
The Final Result
In the end, our latest live Bucs Mock Draft looked like this:
No. 21 – Texas Tech ILB Jacob Rodriguez
No. 46 – Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas
No. 77 – Duke CB Chandler Rivers
No. 85 – Pittsburgh ILB Kyle Louis
No. 116 – Missouri DT Chris McClellan
No. 121 – Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger
No. 155 – Texas A&M OL Trey Zuhn III
No. 229 – Georgia WR Colbie Young
It would be hard to be upset about this draft haul given which positions were addressed, in what order, and at what frequency. Adding two outside pass rushers, two inside linebackers by definition, and beefing up each of the trenches and perimeters with more talent would drastically inject Tampa Bay with talent where it needs it the most.
If this is the blueprint, the Bucs are not just filling needs, but they would be making it clear that rebuilding the defense is the fastest path back to contention. For full insight about our thought process behind each pick, as well as Trevor Sikkema’s thoughts about the Bucs offseason so far, check out our entertaining show that aired on Sunday evening — presented by Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.