This is how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive at the 2022 NFL Draft

Free Agency continues its course, the teams move on, and the next phase is the 2022 NFL Draft. This is the panorama of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading to what for many is the most important event of the offseason.

What are we left with this team?

The Buccaneers’ 2021 NFL Season, although it ended with a total of 13 wins, ended up being a real disappointment when they lost to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round of the 2022 Playoffs. Normally a team would be applauded for reaching this stage. , but for a roster as complete as Tampa Bay’s, anything short of raising Vince Lombardi would be a resounding failure in the broadest sense of the sentence.

Despite the above, due to the fact that once again they focused on retaining the largest number of home stars, and added to the fact that they are the wide favorites within the NFC South, the Buccaneers are once again emerging as candidates for the postseason and Once there, the goal will be the same as in the last two seasons: to be crowned Super Bowl champions, this time, the LVII edition to be played in Glendale, Arizona.

Buccaneers Free Agency

The Buccaneers’ 2022 Free Agency has been extremely busy. At first, after the retirement of Tom Brady from the NFL, it was thought that they would need a new quarterback to face the coming season, but, finally, Brady made it official that he will return for his 23rd season as a professional and third in Tampa Bay, who In addition, they will have to face next year at the hands of the new HC Todd Bowles after the unexpected retirement of Bruce Arians.

The hometown hustle, as you can see, was too much, and might have been twice as much, had the organization not kept multiple of its home stars, including returning RBs Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard, CB Carlton Davis and the Ryan Jensen center. In addition, they also fished abroad and acquired names such as S Logan Ryan, who came from the Giants, and WR Russell Gage, who played for the Falcons in 2021.

However, they also suffered painful casualties, highlighted by the retirement of OG Ali Marpet after just seven seasons as a professional, and the departure of OG Alex Cappa to Cincinnati, so, without a doubt, if next season they intend to continue being part of the elite of NFL teams, should prioritize improving their offensive line, among other units.

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Main needs by position

Offensive Guard: in 2020 the Buccaneers managed to retain their entire starting roster with which they won the SB LV, but that was not the case during the current offseason, and after the retirement of Marpet and the loss of Cappa, the team needs to find a new reinforcement in the guard position to pair with Ryan Jensen and Shaq Mason on the offensive line. They can’t let this unity weaken, even more so considering Tom Brady is approaching 45 years of age.

Defensive lineman: currently LB Jason Pierre-Paul and DT Ndamukong Suh remain unrestricted free agents, but Tampa Bay may not bring back the pair of veterans if they decide to rejuvenate the position via the NFL Draft. Using one of their picks on this unit, or even two, would help the team form a fearsome ensemble alongside Vita Vea and William Gholston if the would-be rookies transition well into the league.

defensive back: CB Carlton Davis III returned to the Buccaneers on a three-year contract, but both Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are in the final year of their respective rookie deals. It’s a good time for Tampa Bay to think ahead to 2023 and evaluate interesting cornerback prospects. Also, S Jordan Whitehead departed for the New York Jets, so an additional replacement is needed to improve the perimeter.

tight-end: The team released OJ Howard to the Bills this offseason. Also, Rob Gronwkoski still hasn’t decided if he’ll ever play football again or if he’ll eventually retire from the NFL. What leaves these situations to Tampa Bay? Cameron Brate is projected as TE1 for 2022, and although he may be ready to take the role, it is true that they will require a new rotational player within a depth chart that has been depleted.

Buccaneers picks in the 2022 NFL Draft

The Buccaneers are in line to have a quiet and orderly 2022 NFL Draft, but also a short one. The organization has a pick within each of the first four rounds, but from there they will choose only two more times in the seventh, resulting in a total of six selections, three being within the first 91:

  • 1st round: pick 27
  • 2nd round: pick 60
  • 3rd round: pick 91
  • 4th round: pick 133
  • 7th round: pick 248
  • 7th round: pick 261 (compensatory pick)

The possible picks of the Buccaneers

OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M. Characterized by his lower-body strength, he needs to improve his hand placement, though he has qualities of great athleticism and speed not commonly seen in a 300-pound player. In university he played 35 games as a starter, and started at all positions on the line except center. He projects as a late first-round pick and would solve the problems Tampa Bay currently has in the unit.

CB Kaiir Elam, Florida. Because of his height and athleticism he excels in zone coverage as well as man-vs-man. Last season he proved his worth in college by taking on top-tier competition in the SEC, coming out ahead multiple times against America’s best receivers. At only 20 years old, he still has enormous growth potential and is projected to be another option as a late first-round pick.

EDGE Josh Paschal, Kentucky. The Class of 2022 is so strong at the position that Pascal doesn’t get the credit he deserves, even though all indications are that he will be drafted somewhere between the middle and end of the second round. His strength and explosiveness make him an expert at stopping running plays, plus he’s also the ideal man to make the opposing quarterback uncomfortable. A great defensive lineman the Buccaneers should consider if they decide not to build this unit in the first round.

CB Mario Goodrich, Clemson. While Clemson’s top prospect at the position this year is Andrew Booth Jr., Goodrich is a great alternative who could still be there once the Buccaneers pick in the second round. The 22-year-old stands out for his good work in zone coverage, but stands out for his excellent ability to contribute against the running game, practically not missing a single tackle.

This is the pre-2022 NFL Draft of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What do you think this team will end up doing? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.

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This is how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive at the 2022 NFL Draft