The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their guy former Duke Blue Devil offensive lineman, Graham Barton, and the expectation is he'll come in and compete for an inside position, specifically center.

"We had him [as a] center, but he can play guard," Bucs general manager Jason Licht told reporters after the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. "He did a pretty damn good job playing tackle, too. So, there’s a lot of versatility there with him. We had him targeted. To be honest with you, the whole time we were crossing our fingers that he would make it to us and he did, so that’s good…

"… He went in there and really played lights out, we thought, ‘Center.’"

So, since that need is now off the board, let's have some fun and partake in a Day 2 mock draft that covers what I think should happen at picks Nos. 57, 89, and 92.

---

Buccaneers' Day 2 Mock Draft

Round 2, No. 57 overall: CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan Wolverines

Why it's him: The Bucs sill have a big need at cornerback, both on the inside and out. While Sainristil certainly fills the inside need more than the outside – he locks the position up.

Sainristil doesn't have the size that Todd Bowles likes in his corners, but he has the playmaking ability, intelligence, leadership, and work ethic to bypass the lack of size. He's the true example of the old saying "It's the not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters most".

The Bucs have wanted to see their corners make more plays on the ball, too. Sainristil had six interceptions in 2023. He'd immediately come in and compete with Christian Izien for the nickel job and win or lose, the Bucs would automatically have that spot locked up with good depth.

---

Round 3, No. 89 overall: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan Wolverines

Why it's him: I'm not entirely sure Wilson will be here at 89. I think he's been pretty underrated, in terms of the media's viewpoint, over the course of the pre-draft process, but we'll see what happens on Friday.

Regardless, if Wilson is available, the Bucs should pounce at the opportunity to get him. Wilson is a dynamic playmaker out of the slot and his presence would allow Chris Godwin to move outside on a more consistent basis, and, it would give the Bucs very solid depth on the inside. A four-man set with Mike Evans and Trey Palmer on the outside, and Godwin and Wilson on the inside -whether it be 2×2 or 3×1- is terrifying to think about for opposing secondaries.

There's also a long-term ploy, here, as Godwin's future in Tampa Bay is currently unknown after 2024 and Evans continues to climb the ladder in age (though he shows no signs of slowing down).

---

Round 3, No. 92 overall: TE/H-back Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats

Why it's him: Let's have a little fun, here.

This would be a very tantalizing pick, as Sinnott represents more of an H-back type player at the next level. And players like that can be very valuable when used correctly, especially in this day and age.

Liam Coen's offense is of the variety to where an H-back makes sense, as well. It would take a little time to integrate Sinnott into the system, but that's fine. It's not like he'd be on the field a ton, anyway, as even Kyle Juszczyk is on the field for about half the time, typically. That would allow him to develop, yet still get on the field enough to where he can have a shot at making some kind of impact in 2024.

The Bucs are getting more and more modern on offense and this pick, at this point, would not only reinforce that, but it would give them a weapon that not many others have.

---

Final word

Other positions like wide receiver and defensive line make a lot of sense on Day 3 and it wouldn't surprise me to see the Bucs go heavy on defense, you know, considering Bowles is the head coach, and all.

Ultimately, though, adding playmakers like Wilson and Sinnott should be far too tempting to pass up, especially since Tampa doesn't have a fourth-round pick. Both players will add to the push into the modern age and further reinforce the Bucs' decision to join the fold on offense.

---