Mock drafts suggest Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor could be a top pick for the Bucs at No. 15. The Bucs are looking to rebound after missing the playoffs last season.
Key points
Mock drafts link Akheem Mesidor to the Bucs at No. 15.
The Bucs missed the playoffs last season.
Rob McCartney enjoys the offseason after the Super Bowl.
Seattle won the Super Bowl, impacting the Bucs' morale.
Akheem MesidorTampa Bay BuccaneersSeattle Seahawks
Bucs assistant general manager Rob McCartney loves coming to work early the day after the Super Bowl, when only one team is celebrating and the playing field is level for the next season.
If anything, Seattle raising the Lombardi Trophy lifted spirits in Tampa Bay. The Bucs beat the Seahawks in Week 5 when both teams were missing stars. Of course, Seattle rebounded and the Bucs retreated, going from a 5-1 team to 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time in six years.
āI do not enjoy watching the Super Bowl,ā McCartney said. āThat Monday morning is always like one of the earliest days I get in the office because itās so refreshing. Everybody is kind of in our misery at that point except Seattle. Thatās always a great day to kind of flip the page.
āI think beating them in Week 5 was a great day for us. Obviously, they had a great season and won the Super Bowl. But I think the guys on our roster know what weāre capable of.ā
The Bucs have a chance to add to that roster beginning Thursday with the first round of the NFL draft.
Tampa Bay has seven draft picks, one per round, beginning at No. 15.
Improving the defense will be the goal, with significant needs for an edge rusher, inside linebacker, defensive lineman and maybe another cornerback or two.
The list isnāt very different from a year ago when general manager Jason Licht surprised the pundits by selecting Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall. He became a Rookie of the Year finalist after amassing 938 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
Q&A
Why are mock drafts pairing Akheem Mesidor with the Bucs?
Mock drafts are suggesting Akheem Mesidor for the Bucs due to his potential impact on their defensive line.
What was the Bucs' record last season?
The Bucs finished last season with a record of 8-9, missing the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Who is Akheem Mesidor?
Akheem Mesidor is a defensive lineman from Miami, noted for his skills and potential in the upcoming draft.
What does the Bucs' assistant GM think about the offseason after the Super Bowl?
Bucs assistant GM Rob McCartney finds the day after the Super Bowl refreshing, as it marks a new beginning for all teams.
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āWe narrow it down to about 150 (prospects). Thatās what we go off of, and every year we always have players left,ā Licht said.
This draft may not have as many elite players in the first round as in the past. But the Bucs have an opportunity to address some needs early Thursday night.
Letās take a look at the biggest needs and how the draft could shake out for the Bucs in the opening round.
Edge rusher
The Bucs admittedly have failed with some attempts to improve the rush off the edge. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, the 32nd overall pick in 2021, never had more than five sacks. Chris Braswell, a second-rounder from Alabama, has only 2.5 sacks in two seasons.
āIt is tough,ā Licht said. āThere are only so many that you could call truly impactful players. We found going back over the last few years that the players that we thought were going to be good, most of them ended up being good. We just didnāt have the opportunity to take (them) or we took another position before them that weāre happy with in most cases.ā
The elite pass rushers such as Texas Techās David Bailey, Ohio Stateās Arvell Reese, Miamiās Rueben Bain Jr. and Auburnās Keldric Faulk are expected to be gone by No. 15.
A consensus of many mock drafts have the Bucs selecting Miamiās Akheem Mesidor. Unlike some other edge rushers the Bucs have drafted, Mesidor was highly productive with 35.5 career sacks, including 12.5 last season. Mesidor has spent six years in college and at 25 would be the oldest player Licht has drafted.
Other edge rushers in play include Texas A&Mās Cashius Howell (SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 11 sacks) and Missouriās Zion Young (first-team All-SEC, 16.5 tackles for loss)
Keep an eye on Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen. Head coach Todd Bowles has an affinity for Bulldogs and Allen was a first-team All-American who led his team with 88 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Other inside linebacker prospects include Texas Techās Jacob Rodriguez and Missouriās Josiah Trotter, the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Rodriguez forced seven fumbles and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Tight end
Would the Bucs dare begin the draft with another offensive player despite the needs on defense? Well, yes.
āThis yearās draft has a lot of tight ends, so we just wanted to do our due diligence and get to know them as much as we can, just like we do most positions,ā Licht said. āSo yeah, it would be great to add a tight end to the roster that brings an element that maybe some of the others donāt. Weāre happy with our group right now, but weāre just doing our due diligence.ā
A player often linked to the Bucs at No. 15 is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who had eight receiving touchdowns. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson utilized two tight end sets 36% of the time in Atlanta, second most in the NFL.
Trade down
In 2022, the Bucs traded out of the first round and took defensive tackle Logan Hall with the first choice in the second round.
Licht would love to stockpile picks. But you need a dance partner and any deal would depend on how far down the Bucs would have to move.
āIn a lot of scenarios that weāre working through,ā Licht said. āYou have a group of players that you say, āNo matter what, if this playerās there, weāre taking (them).ā² If thereās a group of three, then maybe you go back one or two to make sure that you ensure you get one of your three, but the part of that that makes it difficult is youāve got to find a trade partner. Itās not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes teams just donāt want to move up. They donāt want to give up picks, and I understand why.ā