The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the 19th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Like the other 31 teams in the NFL, they are narrowing down who to take with that pick. The Bucs have stated they want to add to the defense with the first-round pick. The question is, do they add to the front eight to the defense or the secondary?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have succeeded with the 2023 pick in the third round. Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby led the Bucs with 57 pressures and 13 run stuffs in 2024. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added Haason Reddick from free agency. The Bucs also signed Cornerback Kindle Vildor.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 29th in pass defense. The Bucs gave up 243 yards per game, allowing 27 touchdowns through the air. Tykee Smith, drafted in 2024 with the Buccaneers’ third-round pick, had two of the seven interceptions the Bucs had last season. With lots of defensive talent in the draft, the question is, will the Bucs go for a defensive edge player or cornerback? Here are possible players the Bucs could make with the 19th pick.
Predictions For Bucs Pick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are committed to adding to the defense in this year’s draft. Unless you can see into the future how the 2025 NFL Draft will fall out, that is anyone’s guess. Many NFL experts have made their predictions, but nothing is certain. There are players’ names circling the first-round pick for the Bucs. One player predicted to go to the Bucs is Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College. In 2024, Ezeiruaku led the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss. He made Boston College history recording 30 sacks. His playing as a pass edge rusher for the Buccaneers and pairing with Reddick could give the Bucs some success.
Another player name coming up is Alabama Linebacker Jihaad Campbell. The Bucs could add Campbell to their linebacker squad, who holds traits like Devin White. Campbell can be good in pass coverage with his ability to move up and down the field. He can also add to the pass rush; he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash. Campbell led Alabama in tackles with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. With Campbell standing at 6-foot-3 235 pounds, he may fit well with the Buccaneers and could be in the running as a day 1 starter.
Buccaneers’ Possibility To Add To Secondary
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could add to the defensive backs. With their pass coverage at almost the bottom of the league, the right player could boost the defensive coverage. The Bucs could draft Jahdea Barron from Texas. Barron led the SEC in interceptions with 5 and pass deflections with 16. Barron was a beast for Texas, assisting in all pass coverages from cornerback to safety. Texas centered its defensive coverage on the zone. Barron was in on nickel-and-dime coverage. He is a physical player in the nickel position at 5-foot-11 195 pounds. He also ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. Barron can recognize routes and pounce on the point of the catch.
The next player isn’t a first-rounder but is a solid second-round pick. Trey Amos from Mississippi transferred from Alabama. Amos had an SEC-high 16 passes defended and covered receivers like rain on routes and presented a physical problem for receivers trying to catch the ball. He shines better in zone coverage than man coverage. According to the draft report, he gets separated from the receiver regarding man coverage. He could also be a good outside corner with more development in run support. If the Buccaneers draft a player for their front eight, picking up Amos in the second round is a strong possibility.
Final Thoughts
The NFL Draft will begin on April 25. Some teams may move up, and others may move down. So far, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are focused and committed to drafting for the defense in the first and possibly second rounds. The Bucs have had success in the past with third-round picks. They had major success with Running Back Bucky Irving, who finished at the top of the list of rookie running backs. Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make the same magic happen in this draft, but this time on the defensive side of the ball?
