Buccaneers Defensive Draft Targets

Image: ImagnImages

Buccaneers Overview:

After this season, it is clear the Buccaneers need to improve on the defensive side of the ball to be viewed as a legitimate contender. Although there are plenty of free agents who could help this cause, the Bucs’ current cap space situation will be very limiting. Therefore, the draft will be utterly important for this team come April. But who are some of the prospects that would fit the team best?

 

Jihaad Campbell

Age: 21

College: Alabama

Position: ILB

Combine Statistics:

40 Yard Dash- 4.52 seconds, 10-Yard Split- 1.53 seconds, Broad Jump 10’ 7”

Pros:

• Great frame at 6’3”, 235 lb.
• 2024 1st-team All-SEC, after an incredible year with 117 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 FFs, and an INT.
• Great athleticism. He finished in the top 3 for linebackers in every combine drill that he participated in.
• Strong blitz ability- Is comfortable and productive taking snaps from the edge rusher position.
• Open field tackling.
• Good coverage skills in zone, and man against RBs and TEs.

Cons:

• Pass Rushing Mechanics
• Block Shedding
• Tends to be undisciplined in run defense and quarterback scrambles
• Strength at the line of scrimmage.

Overview:

Jihaad Campbell is the new prototypical interior linebacker you want on your team. He has the ideal frame for it, with great speed and acceleration, whether in coverage or rushing into the backfield. As a linebacker, he really can do it all. During his combine interview, he even said it himself, “I feel like I’m Mr. Can-Do-It-All; I’m a Swiss Army knife. I can blitz through the A-gap, I can come off the edge, I can play middle run or Tampa 2, I can drop, strong hook, hook curl, whatever you want me to do. I can play man to man on the receiver, tight end, running back, anything.” Not to mention he does most of these things at a high level, which has earned him his 1st round draft projection. This is the exact type of player the Buccaneers could use at this point in time.

In terms of team fit, Campbell could come in as a day-one starter at ILB. With the Bucs bringing back Lavonte David on a one-year deal, it would be a valuable experience for Campbell to learn behind him for a year, while still seeing plenty of playing time. Additionally, with Todd Bowles’ blitz schemes, he could make a big impact in his first year.

Another similar player who has a first-round grade is Jalon Walker. He is a bit more of an edge rusher than Campbell, but he still got plenty of linebacker and coverage snaps in his days at Georgia. If he is still on the board at 19, he would be another great defensive pick for the Buccaneers.

 

Cobee Bryant

Age: 23

College: Kansas

Position: CB

Combine Statistics:

40 yard dash- 4.53 seconds, 10-yard split- 1.56 seconds

Pros:

• 3x 1^st-team All-Big 12.
• Elite ball skills, can track the ball very well, and ends up with plenty of interceptions. Tagged with the trait of being a ball-hawk.
• Aggressive tackler despite slim frame and light weight. His long arms and length help wrap up tackles.
• Clutch player, steps up his play in big games/matchups
• Strong in man and zone coverage and proved to be reliable covering teams’ WR1s in college.
• Big-time trash talker with a high level of confidence

Cons:

• Speed develops into a bit of a concern covering longer routes
• Lightweight and lack of strength could be a liability at the next level
• Technique can be questionable at times.

Overview:

Coming out of high school, Cobee Bryant was a 3-star recruit, but made an immediate impact at Kansas, and never looked back. In his Freshman year, he put his name on the map after a game-winning pick-6 against Texas. Following this, he earned a spot on the First-team All-Big 12 at CB in his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. He even received an unanimous vote this past year.

Without a doubt, Bryant has the resume of a top prospect in the draft. However, he is currently projected to go in the 3rd- 4th round. There are some concerns to back this up, as mentioned earlier, but I still believe this is tremendous value on a player who could transform into a lockdown CB.

Cornerback is a top position of need for the Buccaneers, and the meeting he had with the team went incredibly well from the sounds of it. When asked about his meeting with the organization during the combine, he responded, “That was the best one. That was fun. The energy it had, it was fun.” It seems like a perfect fit, but we will have to wait until April to find out. If it doesn’t, this is still a very deep cornerback class. Prospects such as, Azareye’h Thomas, Benjamin Morrison, or Trey Amos could still be available with use of a second or third-round pick.

 

Malachi Moore

Age: 23

College: Alabama

Position: Safety

Combine Statistics: N/A

Pros:

• Impactful tackler
• Flies to the player with the ball to lay a big hit, resulting in either knocking the ball out, or limiting YAC.
• Reads the QBs eyes well
• Strong ability to blitz from the safety spot, gets to the QB fast.
• Team Captain in his final two years of college
• Experienced and loyal player, with 5 years at Alabama
• Versatility as a defensive back.
• 2024 1st-Team All-SEC and 2nd-Team All-American

Cons:

• Smaller frame for an NFL safety at only 5’11” and 196 lbs
• Lacks elite athleticism (Specifically long speed and lateral quickness)
• Low, ankle and cut tackles could prove to be an issue at the next level
• Slight injury history

Overview:

Malachi Moore is another headline player in the college sports world, expected to fall into the later rounds. Moore had a productive 5 years at Alabama, dating all the way back to his freshman season. However, his 2024 season was his best yet, posting 70 tackles, 2 FFs, 2 INTs, and 1 sack. All signs point towards Moore becoming the next Safety to produce at the NFL level who came out of Alabama. Former Bama safeties like Brian Branch, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Xavier McKinney have all emerged into NFL stars, and the goal is for Moore to follow in their footsteps.

For the Buccaneers, the depth at safety is needed, and as versatile of a player as Moore is, it feels as though he would be a safe pick. Currently, he is projected to go later in the draft, most likely rounds 5-7. A perfect low risk, high reward pick for Tampa.

If more certainty is wanted at the Safety position, there are other quality options in this draft such as Malaki Starks, Nick Emmanwori, and Xavier Watts. Although, these players would cost a much higher pick.

 

James Pearce Jr.

Age: 21

College: Tennessee

Position: Edge

Combine Statistics:

40 Yard Dash- 4.47 seconds, 10 yard dash- 1.56 seconds, Vertical Jump- 31”, Broad Jump- 10’3”

Pros:

• Incredible speed and explosiveness off the edge
• Elite use of finesse rush moves
• Great use of length, specifically when pressuring the quarterback and/or wrapping up tackles.
• High Football-IQ
• 2x 1st-Team All-SEC (2023-2024)

Cons:

• Needs to develop power rush skills
• Character Issues
• Despite good size at 6’5”, his lack of weight (245 lbs) and strength raises concerns about how his play will translate to the NFL

Overview:

The talent James Pearce displays on the field is undeniable. There are concerns about his character and mass/strength that have been exploited by the media at the combine, causing his draft stock to drop despite a strong overall performance. Despite this, he’s still projected to come off the board at the end of the 1^st round. In some cases, even mocked to the Bucs with the 19^th pick.

In my eyes, James Pearce would be a great value at this pick. Without a doubt, he has the talent to be a difference maker at the next level. If he puts on enough weight and strength, who knows what his ceiling could be.

Although, there are plenty of edge rushers on the market through free agency and the draft. We will have to wait and see how the Buccaneers decide to address the position, whether that be James Pearce Jr. or another player.

 

For more NFL content, click here!