The 2022 NFL Draft begins on April 28, which means that The Game Haus will be debuting draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be evaluated heading into this year’s draft, as our staff recaps their last season, highlights their needs and pinpoints their potential 2022 NFL Draft targets. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the subject of today’s 2022 NFL Draft profile.
Summary
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South again in 2021 with a record of 13-4. They fell short of a second-straight Super Bowl appearance when they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. Despite being down 20-3 at halftime, Tom Brady and the Bucs mounted a furious comeback that came up just short. The final score was 30-27.
Their offseason was mired in turmoil as Brady had his retirement announced for him by sports reporters. He, then, announced his own retirement before unretiring just three weeks later. Then, in another surprising move, head coach Bruce Arians retired and passed head coaching duties on to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
With some key departures and some key pieces returning, the Buccaneers are more in flux than they ever have been with Brady. Here is how they can use their picks to return to the top of the NFC.
2022 NFL Picks
Tampa Bay will have three picks to use in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
First Round (one pick): No. 27
Second Round (one pick): No. 60
Third Round (one pick): No. 91
Team needs
Offensive line- Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa are both gone, and Brady will be 45-years-old in 2022. He needs to be protected and have a clean pocket at all costs for the Buccaneers to have a chance.
Cornerback- Corner was a weak spot for the team last season. They do not have a big name corner and also have some departures at the position after free agency. Tampa would be wise to upgrade here.
Defensive line- Not only are Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul old, but they also have not been re-signed at time of writing. They need another, younger piece here.
2022 Draft Targets
First Round:
Pick No. 27: Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
Some would say this is a reach, but Iowa cranks out NFL-level offensive linemen with consistency and regularity. Being that the Bucs need a lineman, this is as close to a can’t-miss pick even if they are grabbing Linderbaum a little early.
Second Round:
Pick No. 60: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Leal had a massive 8.5 sacks on the Texas A&M defensive line last season, along with 58 total tackles (27 solo). That marks a six sack jump from his 2020 season. He clearly has learned to hone his form to be more of an explosive athlete, which is exactly what Tampa Bay will want.
Bowles was the defensive coordinator before becoming the head coach, and he made his living harassing quarterbacks. This is a good fit and maybe some great value.
Third Round:
Pick No. 91: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
If there is a bit of an unforeseen run on defensive backs earlier in the draft, then Bryant may not be here for Tampa. But this is the kind of cornerback that the Buccaneers need, and the value will be unmatched if they grab him in the third round.
Bryant had 34 solo tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles last season. He also had a defensive touchdown. As the heart and soul of the first non-Power 5 team to make the College Football Playoff, he is ready to win and make the most of what could be Brady’s last season.
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