Bucs GM Jason Licht opens up on teams' strategy ahead of 2025 NFL draft

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht does not expect many teams to trade up in the 2025 NFL draft.

There is a lot of uncertainty for a lot of teams ahead of the draft later this month. The Buccaneers possess the No. 19 selection in the first round. They also hold the No. 53, the No. 84, the No. 121, the No. 157, and the No. 235 draft slots.

According to ESPN, the positional needs of the Buccaneers are at cornerback, EDGE, linebacker, wide receiver, and tight end.

Licht said that while he considered trading back in previous drafts, it's unlikely to happen this year.

"There have been years where I've thought about it more than others," Licht told reporters on Thursday. "It just kinda depends on how things fall. You can't walk into it and say, 'I am definitely looking to trade back,' because you don't know what's going to fall to you."

"I do think this year you’re going to see maybe a little less people wanting to move up and offering enough to make it worth your while just because the draft is pretty leveled out at a certain point. You might be able to get the same level of player in the second round as you can in the fourth round at certain positions.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said he had heard a similar sentiment around the league until this point.

"That's what it feels like. Not a lot of teams trying to move up."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 NFL Draft Projection

NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently released the latest version of his mock draft and predicted that the Buccaneers would add to their defensive unit in the first round.

With the No. 19 overall pick, Jeremiah projected that the Buccaneers would select Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku.

"Bucs GM Jason Licht has always valued production, and Ezeiruaku brings exactly that to the table with 16.5 sacks last season," Jeremiah wrote. "He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft."

Ezeiruaku had 80 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 16.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles for the Eagles last season.

Only time will tell whether the Buccaneers do select Ezeiruaku in the first round, however, it is evident that the Tampa Bay general manager Licht does not anticipate too much movement by NFL franchises on draft night.