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Jackson Powers-Johnson Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Way-too-early Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft preview

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 3/9/24

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The Bucs surprised nearly everyone outside of Tampa Bay by holding on to NFC South bragging rights last season. Most predicted the team would decline after quarterback Tom Brady's retirement, but the Bucs improved in 2023 under Baker Mayfield, a 2024 free agent. They finished the season 9-8 and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Lions.

For Tampa to build on its surprising run, here are three players it should target in next month's draft.

2023 record: 9-8 | First-round pick: No. 26 | Team needs: OL, LB, CB

Potential first-round draft picks: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon; Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri; Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

Tampa Bay's offensive line has been among the league's worst for the past couple of seasons, but this year's strong class of linemen gives the Bucs options to improve the unit, even with them picking near the end of Round 1. NFL Media analyst Charles Davis named Powers-Johnson as his pick for the Bucs in the first round of his most recent mock draft.

Per Pro Football Focus, Powers-Johnson had the second-best run-block grade among 281 interior offensive linemen with at least 296 run-block snaps. Last season, the Bucs ranked last in rushing for the second consecutive year. Their running backs averaged a paltry 3.4 yards per attempt.

Powers-Johnson would also give the Bucs quarterback in 2024, whether that's Mayfield or somebody else, a clean pocket to throw out of. PFF data shows Powers-Johnson somehow only allowed one pressure in 512 pass-rush opportunities last season.

One of his best highlights came against Stanford, when he had the year's most outstanding "John Wick" impersonation, taking out two Cardinal defenders, lineman Anthony Franklin (No. 94) at the start of the play and linebacker Tristan Sinclair (No. 8) to end it.

#Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson. Pass pro is not passive. pic.twitter.com/ZY03nfwsYG
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 15, 2024

Starting corners Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III allowed opposing quarterbacks to post passer ratings north of 100 against them when targeted last season, including 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Both are under contract in 2024, with Davis entering the final year of his three-year, $45 million contract extension he signed in 2022. NFL.com praised Rakestraw's toughness in press coverage and stopping the run while noting he could use some time to develop into an NFL starter. He'd be afforded patience in Tampa as he transitions to the pros behind a pair of corners with a ton to prove.

The Bucs may also want to address their depleted linebacker room. In late February, ESPN reporter Jenna Laine revealed the team will release Shaquil Barrett, while Lavonte David and Devin White are unrestricted free agents.

White isn't expected to return, but David recently expressed a desire to remain in Tampa, the only place he's called home during his NFL career. Despite turning 34 in January, his production hasn't waned; in 2023, he had 134 tackles, his most since 2015.

Even if David returns (and likely plays at a high level), the Bucs need to plan for a future without him. Wilson, the best linebacker in the 2024 draft class, is a rangy, relentless defender. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest for the position at the event.

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