REPORTING: An Overview Of The Valuable Additions Made By Bucs In The 2024 NFL Draft!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made significant strides in addressing their needs in the 2024 NFL Draft, prioritizing the trenches as General Manager Jason Licht announced at the Combine. The team’s early picks have added value to both the offensive and defensive lines.
The draft kicked off on April 25 with the selection of Graham Barton from Duke, who is expected to play center but possesses the versatility to occupy any of the three interior positions. Barton’s impressive track record includes earning All-America honors as a freshman center, starting 34 games at left tackle, and receiving first-team All-ACC recognition in 2023. His skillset boasts a nasty disposition, nimble feet, violent hands, and a finisher mentality, making him a strong addition to the Buccaneers’ lineup.
Barton’s second-level skills and mobility are particularly noteworthy, as they will enhance the team’s run game.
Assistant General Manager John Spytek expressed his excitement about the draft, stating, “I think we got a lot better. We got a lot of our kind of guys at the positions we needed. They’re good football players. We feel good about the way it shook out for us this year. Those guys have to go out there and prove it, but we’re super excited with the way it fell and who we added. It gives us big expectations in the building.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2024 Draft Class
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made seven selections over the three-day 2024 NFL Draft, adding depth and potential starters to their roster. Here is a summary of their complete draft class:
Round 1 (26): C Graham Barton
Round 2 (57): OLB Chris Braswell
Round 3 (89): S Tykee Smith
Round 3 (92): WR Jalen McMillan
Round 4 (125): RB Bucky Irving
Round 6 (220): G Elijah Klein
Round 7 (246): TE Devin Culp
This marked the first time in 11 years that the Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht did not execute a trade during the draft. Tampa Bay entered and exited the draft with the same selections they had when the event began on Thursday.The Buccaneers acquired an additional third-round pick (92nd overall) as part of a trade that sent cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Detroit Lions. However, they did not have a fifth-round pick due to a previous trade in 2023 to acquire an extra sixth-round selection for wide receiver Trey Palmer.
In the second round on Friday evening, the Buccaneers picked Alabama outside linebacker Chris Braswell. This selection adds depth to the team’s edge rush unit following Shaquil Barrett’s departure. Braswell demonstrated patience at Alabama, waiting behind a skilled group of edge rushers like Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner. Transitioning from a role in sub-package passing situations in 2022, Braswell assumed Anderson’s position in 2023 and topped the SEC in pressures with 56. Known for his quick first step and aggressive style, Braswell is expected to enhance the Buccaneers’ defensive line
Buccaneers’ Late 3rd Round Picks
In the latter part of the third round on Friday night, the Buccaneers made two more selections:
Round 3 (89): S Tykee Smith, Georgia
Smith originally played safety at West Virginia, recording four interceptions in two seasons, before transferring to Georgia. At Georgia, he transitioned to the nickel position in Kirby Smart’s base defense. With Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead expected to be the starting safeties in 2024, Smith will likely compete for the nickel job. Smith is known for his instinctive play, physicality, urgency in run support, and ball skills, which should help strengthen the Buccaneers’ secondary.
Round 3 (92): WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
After a productive 2022 season with 1,098 receiving yards for the Huskies, McMillan dealt with a left knee injury last year that caused him to miss four games. This led to him being behind Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk on the depth chart. McMillan possesses the speed and acceleration to stretch defenses vertically, as well as the route-running fluidity and ability to create leverage with head and body fakes. He should provide a valuable option in the Buccaneers’ passing attack.
Buccaneers’ Day 3 Draft Picks
Round 4 (125): RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
To start Day 3 of the draft, the Buccaneers selected Oregon running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round. Irving provides depth and talent to the Buccaneers’ rushing attack. He averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry over his college career and has the shiftiness to make defenders miss. Irving surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his two seasons at Oregon, demonstrating his ability to create yardage beyond what was blocked for him through his cutting ability. He should help fortify the Buccaneers’ running back room in 2024.
Round 6 (220): G Elijah Klein, UTEP
With their compensatory selection in the sixth round, the Buccaneers chose UTEP guard Elijah Klein. Klein has been labeled as one of the biggest sleepers in the draft by Duke Manyweather of OL Masterminds. During his pre-draft interview, Klein candidly stated, “I don’t claim to be the lightest on my feet, I don’t claim to play with the most finesse. What I do like to do is put my head down and hit people as hard as I can.” This physical, aggressive playing style should make Klein a valuable addition to the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
Buccaneers’ Final Draft Pick
Round 7 (246): TE Devin Culp, Washington
With their final selection, the Buccaneers chose Washington tight end Devin Culp in the seventh round. Culp had a productive six-year career with the Huskies, totaling 66 receptions for 711 yards and 4 touchdowns.What stood out most about Culp was his impressive 4.47 second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, which left onlookers surprised. He averaged 13.0 yards per catch last season and is viewed as a dangerous vertical threat due to his speed and natural route-running ability.Culp projects as an “F” tight end in the Buccaneers’ offense, joining Cade Otton, Ko Kieft, and Payne Durham as part of the team’s tight end group. His combination of size, speed, and pass-catching skills should provide the Buccaneers with another valuable weapon in their passing attack.
