How much the Buccaneers' 2023 draft class will cost the team
The 2023 NFL Draft is over and now, it's about getting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft class signed so they can be ready to roll when training camp starts. The Buccaneers came into the draft with nine picks and left with eight selections when it was all said and done. In all, it was a […]
The 2023 NFL Draft is over and now, it's about getting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft class signed so they can be ready to roll when training camp starts.
The Buccaneers came into the draft with nine picks and left with eight selections when it was all said and done. In all, it was a solid draft that had an obvious goal of adding more speed and athleticism to the roster.
Figuring out how much the class will cost to sign is a bit tricky and figuring out how much it'll take up in cap space is a bit trickier. There's one key factor to remember with the latter scenario and that's the top-51 rule. Until final cuts, only the top-51 salaries count against the salary cap. If a new player gets added to the roster and his salary is less than the 51st-ranked salary, then he won't count against the cap. There will be a few rookies who fit this bill and that's where things can get a little tough.
So, what's the Buccaneers' 2023 draft class going to cost ?
Per Over The Cap, the Buccaneers' 2023 draft class is projected to cost $9,181,361 to sign, but will count $3,181,361 against the cap in 2023. OTC currently has the Bucs with a little over $618k in cap space, so it's clear they're going to have to make a move or two in order to get over the hump, so to speak.
That doesn't mean they're cutting anyone. They totally could, but a simple restructure of a Shaquil Barrett's contract or a Mike Evans extension would probably take care of that in one move.
In other words: The Buccaneers should be just fine when it comes to finding the funds to sign their class.
Below is OTC's projection of how much each pick will count against the cap in 2023:
- Round 1, No. 19 overall: $2,735,653
- Round 2, No. 48 overall: $1,393,588
- Round 3, No. 82 overall: $1,006,702
- Round 5, No. 153 overall: $944,053
- Round 5, No. 171 overall: $814,510
- Round 6, No. 181 overall: $803,817
- Round 6, No. 191 overall: $797,213
- Round 6, No. 196 overall: $796,348
In all, the Buccaneers draft class is projected to cost the team $48,629,318 in its entirety. If the all of the players stay on the for the entire duration of their rookie deals, of course.
