We are a few hours out from the first round of the NFL Draft, so naturally, that means it's time to turn in final mock drafts.

Sure, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of Tampa Bay Buccaneers-centric mocks over the last couple of months. But as we all know, it's a very fluid process that is always changing. Even up until the last minutes before the draft starts.



So, let's so ahead and jump into the first and final A to Z Sports Buccaneers mock draft! There won't be any trades in this mock since it's solely a Bucs mock draft, but don't worry, there's still plenty of excitement to be had.

Results of the first and final 2023 Buccaneers mock draft:

Round 1, No. 19 overall: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

Ideally, it’d work better if the Buccaneers are able to trade back and snag Harrison, but there are no trades in this mock, so we’ll just take him, here.

That's because the four tackles in front of him will be gone by No. 19 and, Harrison (outside of Peter Skoronski) gives the Buccaneers the best scenario when it comes to figuring out whether or not Tristan Wirfs needs to move to left tackle. 

For instance, drafting Darnell Wright means there's a 98% chance Wirfs moves to left tackle because Wright's best fit is at RT. Harrison, on the other hand, has the ability to play either spot. So, the Bucs can just let things naturally play out and won't be forced into a certain situation.

Harrison, like all rookies, still has several aspects to work on when it comes to his game. Mainly, he currently has a top-heavy build that affects his run blocking, so he'll need to add some strength to his lower body, but overall, he's athletic, long, and a good pass blocker who has all the tools to be a quality starter in the NFL.

You can check out the A to Z Sports Film Room breakdown on Harrison, here.

Round 2, No. 50 overall: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Shaquil Barrett expects to be ready to go by Week 1, but it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be off the bat. 

Combine that with the continued questions surrounding Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's effectiveness and the fact that Anthony Nelson is best as EDGE3 in a rotation, it's easy to see why the Buccaneers should go EDGE, here, instead of cornerback or safety.

The Buccaneers' four-man pass rush needs some juice and Todd Bowles agrees. Anudike-Uzomah is a violent player who has a good mix of pass-rush moves that helps overcome his average get-off. He should push JTS and Nelly for playing time while Barrett returns to form.

Round 3, No. 82 overall: LB/EDGE Nick Herbig, Wisconsin

Herbig is an intriguing prospect. He played on the edge in college, but he also has the capability to play off-ball linebacker in the NFL – he just has to work on his craft.

The Buccaneers need prep themselves for life without Lavonte David and potentially Devin White, which could be as soon as next spring. Herbig can refine his skills behind LVD and White and his pass-rush skills could even provide Bowles a wildcard to use in obvious passing situations or wherever else he sees fit.

Herbig's older brother, Nate, is an NFL player and Nick says he wouldn't be here without his brother's guidance. In other words: Nick knows what kind of work ethic is needed to succeed in the NFL, so it's a bet that he'll do whatever he needs to do become an all-around player.

Round 5, No. 153 overall: DB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland

Bennett, the Terrapins’ other cornerback, is an extremely versatile athlete that lined up on the outside, in the slot, and at safety during his college career.

He also has 4.3 speed, which fits in with the Buccaneers' offseason desire to get faster. Bennett's willingness to make tackles and play the run make him an intriguing, potential fit on the inside of the Buccaneers secondary, which could really use some help.

Round 5, No. 175 overall: DL Karl Brooks, Bowling Green

Brooks is quick, versatile player that should be able to play along the Buccaneers’ defensive line. He can man the 4i/5t spots on run downs and then possibly slide more inside on passing downs. 

Brooks is definitely a "tweener", but that shouldn't be an issue for the Bucs. As we know, Todd Bowles has no issue moving his defenders around in order to set them up for success. Brooks' versatility is what will allow him to make an NFL roster and Bowles will not pass up the chance to use that trait to the max.

Round No. 6, 179 overall: S Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech

Conner is listed as a safety, but he can easily come in and help the Buccaneers’ current situation at the nickel position. Which, is to say, the spot could certainly use some help.

The former Hokie played all over the school's 4-3 defense, lining up on the line of scrimmage, in the slot, at safety, and at linebacker. He doesn't have 4.4 speed, but his 4.54 40 still sits in the 71st percentile and he has the athleticism to help an NFL secondary.

Round 6, No. 181 overall: TE Payne Durham, Purdue

Durham isn’t going to outrun many defenders, but he’s a big target at 6-foot-5, 253-pounds that has an impressive catch radius and high-end touchdown production (he recorded 21 touchdowns during his collegiate career).

He'd fit in nicely as another "Y" tight end behind second-year tight end, Cade Otton. This is huge for one main reason: New offensive coordinator Dave Canales wants to run multiple plays out of the same look(s). Well, in order to do that, you need players that are a) versatile enough to do that and b) won't give away what the Bucs are doing. For instance, everyone knew there was a 90% chance, or greater, of a run play when Ko Kieft was on the field in 2022.

The duo of Otton and Durham would give the Buccaneers offense an element of consistency and ambiguity at the position, which is a breath of fresh air after last year.

Round 6, No. 196 overall: TE/WR Elijah Higgins, Stanford

I’m not gonna lie – this is a total wildcard pick and it’s totally something I, personally, want to see happen.

Going back to Canales' offense, it's easy to see he loves to utilize tight ends. The Buccaneers have their two "Y" TEs in Otton and Durham. Now, they get a potential "move" tight end in Higgins.

Higgins played mostly slot in college, but a lot of evaluators see him as a hybrid move tight end or a "big slot" receiver. Regardless, he has tons of potential to be matchup nightmare if utilized correctly.

Giving Canales plenty of weapons to work with is a wonderful strategy that should really help the first-year OC and Higgins gives him a versatile weapon that has the potential to do damage over the next few years.

Round 7, No. 252 overall: QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd

The Bucs pull the trigger on a small-school prospect that has a good arm, solid accuracy and the traits that should fit well in the new offense. 

Obviously, Bagent's biggest adjustment will be the speed of the game. He's essentially going from sun-dial to stopwatch when it comes to the pacing/speed of NFL life. But, he's not going to be expected to take over as the starting QB, outside of extraordinary circumstance, so he should have plenty of time to develop his game and maybe become a No. 2, at some point.

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• Round 1, No. 19 overall: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
• Round 2, No. 50 overall: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
• Round 3, No. 82 overall: LB/EDGE Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
• Round 5, No. 153 overall: DB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
• Round 5, No. 175 overall: DL Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
• Round 6, No. 179 overall: S Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech
• Round 6, No. 181 overall: TE Payne Durham, Purdue
• Round 6, No. 196 overall: TE/WR Elijah Higgins, Stanford
• Round 7, No. 252 overall: QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd

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Overall, the Buccaneers go five defenders to four offensive players in this draft. It's a solid haul and one that plugs a few holes on the roster. Honestly, every player except Bagent (unless major injuries occur, of course) has a chance to see some snaps on offense or defense in 2023. 

If the draft were to play out like this, I'd expect the Bucs to make a couple of wideouts, another defensive lineman or two, another tackle, and corner their priority during the UDFA signing period.