While it will take a couple of seasons based on player performance before we can say which team truly had the best draft, it’s been customary to grade every NFL team’s draft class as soon as the draft is done. Many pundits had an opinion on how the Bucs went about picking their players this time around.
Let’s take a look and see what grades some of the national NFL draft analysts are giving the Bucs in this year’s draft.
Bucs Grade Roundup
Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report: A
The strategy of adding an immediate contributor at receiver and then throwing multiple darts at the defense was logical. Whether that plan will allow the Buccaneers to repeat as NFC South champions (again) remains to be seen. However, it was another solid draft outing by a front office that has gotten good at identifying and adding young talent.
Chade Reuter, NFL.com: B+
I pegged [Emeka] Egbuka as a top-20 talent, so I wasn’t surprised by where he was taken, despite the Buccaneers’ more evident roster needs. They addressed one of those areas — the secondary — with a pair of Day 2 picks, which could pay off if Morrison rebounds from a hip injury and the 5-10, 191-pound Parrish outplays his size.
Walker is a thickly built edge and Roberts is a large and athletic 5-technique bolstering Tampa Bay’s front seven. Johnson’s very slight frame and slow 40 time belie his talent as a receiver able to work the middle and get deep.
Nate Davis, USA Today: B
GM Jason Licht is another guy – one who doesn’t seem to get deserved credit – who does a heckuva job in the draft-and-develop space. A bit surprising the Bucs went with a wideout – Emeka Egbuka – in Round 1, but he’s among this draft’s safest players … and Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger (though Egbuka’s game more closely resembles Chris Godwin’s). The team needed reinforcements at corner, and second-rounder Benjamin Morrison and third-rounder Jacob Parrish should check that box nicely. Might have been nice to see NT Vita Vea get some help on the D-line, though.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports: B+
Despite all of their glaring needs on defense, the Bucs pulled a shock in the first round with WR Emeka Egbuka, but he might be the biggest can’t-miss prospect in the entire draft, so it’s hard to blame them. They went after those defensive needs with a fury after that, doubling up on Day 2 defensive backs with versatile CBs Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, and bolstering the pass rush with small-school edge rusher David Walker and DL Elijah Roberts.
Morrison would have been a first-round lock if not for a season-ending hip injury, but he had a recent private workout to show teams he’s back to full strength. Roberts’ versatility will be a perfect fit in Todd Bowles’ defense, and he’ll get the most out of Walker’s pass-rushing chops. Not coming away with an off-ball linebacker hurts, but that was easily the weakest position group in this year’s class. Tampa Bay got a strong balance of value and upside here, hitting most of their major needs without reaching.
Pro Football Focus: B+
Emeka Egbuka: Despite having various needs on defense, Tampa Bay takes the long-term approach at pass catcher. Mike Evans is approaching 32 years old, and the recently extended Chris Godwin is coming off a tough injury, so the Buccaneers draft an instant contributor and a future insurance policy in Egbuka. The Ohio State standout has a long track record of success, having charted in the 95th percentile in separation rate over the past three seasons.
Benjamin Morrison: A hip injury cut Morrison’s 2024 campaign short, but in his time on the field, he showcased his ability in man coverage with good awareness, a high football IQ, and smooth movement skills. Over the last two seasons, Morrison generated an 84.3 PFF coverage grade in single coverage looks, charting in the 87th percentile. He should provide an instant boost to this Bucs secondary.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Ranked 14 Out Of 32 Teams
Tampa Bay bolstered a strength with Emeka Egbuka, then doubled up at corner on Day 2. Parrish probably was in the second-round discussion for the Buccaneers, so they couldn’t pass him up again when he was available in the third. The former Kansas State corner has ordinary size but outstanding read-react quickness and a nose for the ball, which allows him to play inside and outside.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: A
It’s time Bucs general manager Jason Licht gets the due for being a good drafter. He continues to nail his picks. This draft was no different. Egbuka going in the first was a little odd — even if he is a good player — but Licht made up for it the rest of the draft. He got two corners in Benjamin Morrison and Parrish, which they needed. I like seventh-round receiver Tez Johnson. He plays faster than he ran at the combine.
Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morris – Photo by: USA Today
Nate Tice & Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: B
The Emeka Egbuka pick is interesting in terms of his fit with Chris Godwin for the immediate future. There’s a lot to like about what the Buccaneers did. Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish are a fun, playmaking cornerback duo to add to the Bucs’ secondary, and David Walker has a chance to be a gem as a pass rusher. It’s a really nice collection of players, even if Egbuka will be an interesting case to track.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports: B-
Double-dipping was the clear strategy for the Bucs in 2025 with two picks apiece dedicated to receiver, cornerback and edge rusher. The smartest teams draft for the future, anticipating rather than reacting, and that is precisely the strategy GM Jason Licht and the Bucs took in nabbing Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall, even with the seemingly ageless Mike Evans and Chris Godwin set to return this year. Egbuka was the second receiver off the board, but I think he’s a safer pick than the first one — Tetairoa McMillan (to the NFC South division rival Carolina Panthers) — and a pass-catcher that will keep Baker Mayfield happily firing away. Seventh-round big-play magnet Tez Johnson has the quickness to surprise, as well.
Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish might very well prove Day 2 steals in the secondary, and I’m a fan of both of their new edge rushers, David Walker and Elijah Roberts — each of the prospects complement their respective running mates with different, unique skill sets. But in a class loaded with talented big men along the line of scrimmage and running backs, Tampa Bay’s completely ignoring such spots was surprising.
Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: USA Today
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: B+
The Buccaneers added to a position of strength on Day 1, grabbing one of the highest-floor players in this draft with Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka. He doesn’t fill a massive need for Tampa Bay, but he’s going to be a reliable and productive pass catcher for this team. The team bolstered its cornerbacks crew with a pair of Day-2 picks, nabbing Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish.
That duo provides excellent depth at the position and both could challenge for starting snaps early in their careers. I liked the value they got in grabbing Central Arkansas edge rusher David Walker in the fourth, and the small-school playmaker brings plenty of juice as a rotational rusher. Adding Oregon receiver Tez Johnson was a nice little kicker in the seventh round. I thought Johnson had third-round talent, but his extremely slight frame (just 154 pounds) obviously pushed him down boards. In any case, Johnson gets corners turned around with his routes, can run after the catch, and has a knack for the big play. He provides valuable depth at the position. Just a solid draft across the board.
