2023 NFL Draft: Analyzing Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a quiet 2023 NFL Draft, but they did make some intelligent picks that could help them improve their roster.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a productive draft, addressing several needs on both sides of the ball. Here is a look at their picks in the sixth and seventh rounds:
Round 1, Pick 19: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
Kancey is a strong, athletic defensive tackle who can play inside and outside. He should compete for a starting job on the Buccaneers’ defensive line.
Round 2, Pick 48 (from GB via DET): Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
Mauch is a versatile offensive lineman who can play both guard and tackle. He is a good athlete with good footwork and strength. He should compete for a backup job on the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
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Round 6, No. 181 overall (from Indianapolis):Â Josh Hayes, CB, Kansas State
The Buccaneers were thin at cornerback after the departure of Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency.
Hayes allowed a 52.9% completion percentage and five touchdowns as the primary defender last year for the Wildcats.
At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he ran a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and had experience playing both cornerback and safety.
He has the makings of a nickelback for Todd Bowles’ defense, but his ability to serve as an impactful special teams player will help him the most at the next level.
Round 6, No. 192 overall (from Green Bay/LA Rams/Houston/Philadelphia):Â Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
The Buccaneers’ offense was sorely lacking in big plays and speed last season, but Palmer brings it as a genuine deep threat.
He runs a 4.33 40-yard dash and averaged 38.7 yards per reception last season on post and vertical routes.
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His 237 yards versus Purdue last year were the fifth-most receiving yards in a game in the FBS last year. The Buccaneers could use him in several places.
At 6 feet and 190 pounds, he’s big enough to line up on the outside. But he had eight receiving touchdowns coming out of the slot in 2022 as well, tied for the most in the Big Ten, while his 53 completions out of the slot last season were the third-most.
Round 7, No. 196 overall:Â Jose Ramirez, OLB, Eastern Michigan
Ramirez registered 12 sacks last season — second-most in FBS behind only USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu (13.5).
His 18.5 tackles for loss in 2022 were the ninth-most in FBS. He was also the only FBS player to record multiple games with three sacks.
The Buccaneers could use more production off the edge, as Anthony Nelson led the team’s outside linebackers with 5.5 sacks last season.
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Overall, the Buccaneers had a good draft, addressing several needs on both sides of the ball. They will now look to develop these young players and build on their success from last season.
