2023 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round Mock 

The Tom Brady era for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is over. Whilst it didn’t exactly end with a whimper, the team is ready to move on in a new direction.

Todd Bowles’ appointment to replace Bruce Arians in 2022 was the start of that process in earnest, but with a new quarterback needed in Florida, it truly is Bowles’ football team now.

2022 was a dismal year for a franchise that has had a stacked roster for most of the past three seasons. 2022 finished with the "Bucs" sitting at 8-9, only narrowly above the Carolina Panthers.

It says a lot that the Panthers were able to trade to get the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and they only had one fewer victory than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As such, there are a lot of holes that need to be filled, which is one of the drawbacks of paying a veteran quarterback and the players he brings along with him.

Many of the holes are on defense, which in a way makes it easier for Bowles. He is an exceptional defensive mind and has an eye for a player in that area. He is going to be leant on a lot in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to enjoy the success of the Tom Brady era and are now facing the reality of what comes after that.

In order for the team to return to a competitive level, they need to have a successful 2023 NFL Draft and will start on defense.

2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round mock draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take to the clock at the 19th pick in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

In Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock draft we aren’t going to be factoring in any trades that are yet to happen in reality.

Todd Bowles and the Bucs’ front-office only have one pick on the opening night of the 2023 draft, although they have three in the sixth round as a result of compensatory picks.

This is an improvement on 2022, when the team didn’t have a single first-round selection, with their first selection coming 33rd overall. They elected to trade out of the first-round in order to build future draft capital.

Significant Tampa Bay Buccaneers free agency signings

Baker Mayfield will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starting QB in 2023

· Re-signed CB Jamel Dean

· QB Baker Mayfield

· Re-signed LB Lavonte David

· DT Greg Gaines

· Re-signed OLB Anthony Nelson

Significant Tampa Bay Buccaneers free agency losses

He means it this time...

· QB Tom Brady

· RB Leonard Fournette

· TE Cameron Brate

· OT Donovan Smith

· K Ryan Succop

· G Shaq Mason via trade with Houston

Let’s look at Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brian Branch can lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense for years to come

19. S Brian Branch, Alabama

50. OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State

82. CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M

153. LB Dorian Williams, Tulane

175. EDGE YaYa Diaby, Louisville

179. WR Derius Davis, TCU

181. G Atonio Mafi, UCLA

196. QB Malik Cunningham, Louisville

252. RB Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina

Early on, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to address their serious holes in the secondary. Brian Branch is the best safety in the class and Bowles won’t be able to resist his skillset.

He isn’t lightning quick, but the Bucs' defense isn’t built upon speed. He is a dominant presence in the backfield and will act as a defensive leader on a team that has lost a lot of veterans in recent years.

If hard-hits are the focus of the Bucs’ first-round selection, then at pick #50 they will turn their attention to stopping Baker Mayfield from being the victim of such hits.

Donovan Smith’s departure has left a huge gap in the LT position, and it would be a waste of Tristan Wirfs' skills to shuffle him to the position, even if he can perform there.

As such, Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock is predicting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ front-office will bring in Dawand Jones out of Ohio State.

The Buckeye is one of the premium prospects on the offensive line in this class and his ceiling is that of a regular pro-bowl tackle.

He naturally fits in at left tackle and would complement Wirfs nicely. He’s powerful and strong and would do a lot for Mayfield, who needs to rebuild his confidence in a new team.

That’s two problem areas addressed and the Florida franchise will go three-for-three by taking a cornerback at pick no.82.

Jaylon Jones, out of Texas A&M, is a tall corner who is once again a tough tackler. This is something Bowles wanted his New York Jets defense to have and has enjoyed success with during his years as defensive coordinator in Tampa.

Don’t let Jones’ size put you off, he’s an effective pass defender too, with just more of a focus on knocking the ball out of a receiver’s hands rather than the air. He was a five-star recruit in college and would be a day-1 starter for the Bucs.

Dorian Williams and YaYa Diaby add some much-needed muscle to the defensive line. Both are capable of getting to the opposing quarterback, and Bowles will love both of these guys coming in off the bench.

Offense becomes a serious focus for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as we head into day three. Atonio Mafi comes in as a backup guard, who can fill in at center if Ryan Jensen continues to get injured.

Whilst Mayfield’s arrival allows the team breathing room for a year with regards to finding Brady’s long-term replacement, Malik Cunningham is a prospect with a high ceiling at the position.

Getting him as a development project ready to be a backup in 2024 is a good plan.

Leonard Fournette’s departure has seen the Bucs’ running back room lose a lot of power, but Keaton Mitchell could get one of the surprises of the 2023 NFL Draft. His movement is brilliant with his cutting moves leaving defenders in real trouble.

He's raw, but the Buccaneers could use some natural talent in depth roles on offense.