The Buccaneers enter this year's NFL Draft as a rich team looking to get richer. They re-signed Chris Godwin in the offseason, lost and then regained Tom Brady, signed Russell Gage to the receiving corps, and generally managed to keep a solid team intact heading into next season.
The Bucs enter 2022 with Super Bowl aspirations, as any team helmed by Brady will. Outside of Brady, however, the Buccaneers have one of football's most complete rosters, with precious few holes to be filled.
Tampa Bay, however, isn't completely devoid of needs. Jason Pierre-Paul remains a free agent, and Rob Gronkowski still seems uncertain about a return. While Anthony Nelson and Cameron Brate provide a competent edge rusher and tight end, respectively, the draft is an opportunity to make those positions better.
One of the other major shifts is the abrupt retirement of Bruce Arians, leaving former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in charge.
While the Buccaneers came up short to the Rams last year in the playoffs, they'll be among the NFC favorites next year regardless of how this draft goes.
Here's a look at the Buccaneers' picks in the 2022 NFL Draft:
TSN's NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 200 big board
Buccaneers draft picks 2022: Who did Tampa Bay take?
- Round 2, Pick No. 33: Logan Hall, DT, Houston
- Round 2, Pick No. 57: Luke Goedeke, T, Central Michigan
- Round 3, Pick No. 91: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
- Round 4, Pick No. 106: Cade Otton, TE, Washington
- Round 4, Pick No. 133: Jake Camarda, P, Georgia
- Round 5, Pick No. 157: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
- Round 6, Pick No. 218: Ko Kieft, TE, Minnesota
- Round 7, Pick No. 248: Andre Anthony, EDGE, LSU
Click here for live analysis and grades on every pick.
Buccaneers 2022 NFL Draft order
| Round | Pick (Overall) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 33 (from JAX) |
| 2 | 57 (from BUF) |
| 3 | 91 |
| 4 | 106 (from JAX) |
| 4 | 133 |
| 7 | 248 |
| 7* | 261 (Compensatory pick) |
Buccaneers NFL draft needs
- EDGE: Jason Pierre-Paul was productive in his time with Tampa Bay, but the team seems to have no intention of re-signing him for the coming season. That leaves a rotation missing a key piece, so they'll need to find an every-down player in this year's draft. The Buccaneers have the likes of the Rams and Packers in this year's regular season, so they'll be tested. It's paramount they're able to get pressure to complement Vita Vea's fierce interior pass rush.
- Tight End: Rob Gronkowski's age was yet to show, so if he stays retired the Buccaneers will need to find someone competent in both the running and passing game at tight end. The Bucs do have Cameron Brate on the roster, but they'll need depth after O.J. Howard departed to the Bills in free agency -- not that Howard was getting many touches on the Buccaneers before he left.
IYER: Top 10 pass rushers available in the NFL Draft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers mock draft 2022
Here are the latest 2022 NFL Draft projections for the 49ers, according to Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| 2 | 60 | Jalen Wydermyer | TE | Texas A&M |
| 3 | 91 | Marcus Jones | DB | Houston |
| 4 | 133 | Tyler Badie | RB | Missouri |
| 7 | 248 | Dustin Crum | QB | Kent State |
| 7 | 261 | Slade Bolden | WR | Alabama |
