The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised a bunch of people on Thursday night when they took former Pittsburgh DL Calijah Kancey in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Overall, it's a pick that makes sense and it should work out when considering what Kancey's likely role will be in the NFL. However, defensive line wasn't at the top of the Buccaneers' list of needs. Still, the Buccaneers may have adhered to the "best player available" philosophy at 19, which is never a bad idea.



Either way, they'll be back in action on Friday night with the 50th overall pick in Round 2 and the 82nd overall pick in Round 3. As with the final mock draft, there won't be any trades since it's just me doing the dirty work.

Buccaneers’ Day 2 Mock Draft

Round 2, No. 50 overall: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

Smith has enough size to play corner in Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme and he’s also a versatile, explosive, fast player that can play both inside and outside. 

The Kancey pick reaffirms the Buccaneers' desire to get faster and Smith ran a 4.43 at the combine back in March, so he has the quickness Jason Licht and co. are currently looking for. 

Smith can man the nickel position in subpackages, which keeps Antoine Winfield Jr. in centerfield, and that's something else the Buccaneers have a desire to do in 2023.

An offensive tackle makes more sense and is a bigger need, but the Bucs can't pass up the opportunity to solidify the defensive backfield.

Other potential picks: OT Dawand Jones, TE Sam LaPorta, EDGE Isaiah Foskey, LB Drew Sanders

Round 3, No. 82 overall: EDGE YaYa Diaby, Louisville

The Buccaneers continue to solidify the defense with the selection of Diaby, who has the opportunity to carve out a rotational role early-on.

Shaquil Barrett expects to be ready to go by Week 1, but we don't how long it will take him to return to form. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson can't play every single snap -and both have questions about their game, anyway- so someone needs to step up as EDGE3, technically, while Barrett finds his footing.

Diaby is long, powerful, explosive, and again, fast. He also played inside and outside in Lousiville's front seven, so there's some versatility, there, as well.

Working behind the current crop of incumbent rushers will allow Diaby to refine his game and hopefully he'll be in a position where he can compete for a starting role in 2024 or 2025.

Other potential picks: OL Nick Saldiveri, OL Blake Freeland, TE Zack Kuntz

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• Round 1, No. 19 overall: DL Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh (done)
• Round 2, No. 50 overall: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina (mocked)
• Round 3, No. 82 overall: EDGE YaYa Diaby, Lousiville (mocked)