The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ surprise run to the Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL playoffs prompted the organization to run it back with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and the rest of the crew for another season. Here is a closer look at the Bucs’ collection of picks from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 26
Graham Barton, OL | Duke - Round 2, Pick 57
Chris Braswell, EDGE | Alabama - Round 3, Pick 89
Tykee Smith, S | Georgia - Round 3, Pick 92 (from DET)
Jalen McMillan, WR | Washington - Round 4, Pick 125
Bucky Irving, RB | Oregon - Round 6, Pick 220 (Compensatory)
Elijah Klein, G | Texas-El Paso
- Round 7, Pick 246
Devin Culp, TE | Washington
Who Did the Buccaneers Draft in 2024?
Graham Barton, OL, Round 1, Pick 26
The Buccaneers focused on securing several key players on the offense this offseason, as they paid both Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. As Tampa Bay looks to give the passing attack more time to work, they selected Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the No. 26 overall selection.
Graham Barton could be a Day 1 tone-setter on the #Buccaneers offensive line. 😤#GoBucs | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/7Fsvkjzkyb
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Barton is viewed as one of the most versatile offensive linemen in this year’s draft class. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings analyzed Barton’s skillset in his scouting report. “Barton’s five-position versatility is one of the top differentiators on his profile,” Cummings said.
“He has experience at both tackle and center, and his combination of athleticism, power, flexibility, footwork feel, anchor strength, football IQ, and physicality allows him to seamlessly transition between roles.”
Chris Braswell, EDGE, Round 2, Pick 57
Pretty much right in line with where NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings ranked him, the Bucs selected Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell in the second round.
Braswell has a high functional floor, with the explosiveness, functional power components, and active hands to stay disruptive at the NFL level. And on top of that foundation, he’s a strong, high-IQ run defender and an able cover man in the flats.
Tykee Smith, S, Round 3, Pick 89
One of the most versatile defensive backs in the class, Tykee Smith’s rebound in 2023 was inspiring to watch. Years of dominance at West Virginia and Georgia aside, Smith has the ability to play nickel or free safety and should find his home at the NFL level in a variety of schemes.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Round 3, Pick 92
The Bucs went with a wide receiver in the third, making Jalen McMillin the third Washington WR selected in this draft.
McMillan doesn’t do incredibly well against physicality, and he can be prone to focus drops. But with his speed, route running ability, usage versatility, and generally reliable hands, he profiles as a quality movement-Z receiver at the NFL level, with the upside of a solid starter.
Bucky Irving, RB, Round 4, Pick 125
The Bucs have one of the most shallow depth charts at running back behind starter Rachaad White. There is a legitimate chance Oregon’s Bucky Irving could carve out a meaningful role as the RB2 as a rookie.
NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings had this to say: “Pass protection concerns combined with Bucky Irving’s lack of size could make it tough for him to be trusted as a third-down specialist, despite his ideal reliability as a pass catcher. Ultimately, Irving can certainly contribute as a Day 2 prospect in the right situation, but the projection of him ever leading an NFL backfield in carries could be a bit of a stretch.”
Elijah Klein, G, Round 6, Pick 220
After the Buccaneers spent the 26th overall pick addressing the interior of the offensive line, they returned to the position group by making UTEP guard Elijah Klein the final pick of the sixth round.
Klein has extensive starting experience at guard and possesses ideal length and polished footwork when working combo blocks in the run game but could have issues anchoring down against the powerful bull rushers at the NFL level.
Devin Culp, TE, Round 7, Pick 246
The Buccaneers have starter Cade Otton and last year’s fifth-round pick Payne Durham currently on the roster, but Washington tight end Devin Culp has the type of elite vertical speed to create mismatches in the NFL game.
Sure, Culp isn’t going to offer much as an in-line tight end at just 231 pounds, but his movement skills could provide an extra element for a Tampa Bay offense that doesn’t currently have exceptional athleticism at the tight end position.