2024 NFL Draft Grades: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.
What draft grades have the media given to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? What are they saying about the Buccaneers' 2024 draft haul?
NFL.com - Grade: B+
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: C+
Analysis: Barton's versatility, intelligence and toughness will make him one of the top linemen in this draft despite falling into the back part of the first round. Braswell met the team's need for an edge rusher but will need to prove he was worth his draft standing. Smith should contribute immediately, and McMillan could be a playmaker as his game matures.
The Buccaneers could have picked Will Shipley over Irving, but the former Oregon Duck will compete for playing time with Chase Edmonds as a complementary back in 2024. Another interior lineman was picked in Klein, but no cornerbacks were brought on board.
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: C+
Analysis: Barton's versatility, intelligence and toughness will make him one of the top linemen in this draft despite falling into the back part of the first round. Braswell met the team's need for an edge rusher but will need to prove he was worth his draft standing. Smith should contribute immediately, and McMillan could be a playmaker as his game matures.
The Buccaneers could have picked Will Shipley over Irving, but the former Oregon Duck will compete for playing time with Chase Edmonds as a complementary back in 2024. Another interior lineman was picked in Klein, but no cornerbacks were brought on board.
ESPN - Grade: B
Top needs entering the draft: Offensive line, wide receiver, linebacker
The Bucs had a balanced first two days of the draft. Graham Barton (26) is my top-ranked center, and he'll immediately help a run game that ranked 32nd in yards per attempt (3.4) last season. While he played left tackle at Duke, he has All-Pro upside at the pivot. Chris Braswell (57) has been underrated for the past few months. The edge rusher isn't the flashiest player, but he is an all-around defender with an interesting skill set as a pass-rusher. Tampa Bay has to get better on the edge in 2024.
Wideout Jalen McMillan (92) was a steal at the end of Round 3. He could be an outstanding No. 3 receiver as a rookie before taking on a bigger role in 2025. Tykee Smith (89) went about a round earlier than I thought he would. At 5-10, he's undersized, but he does have some versatility. It sounds like the Bucs will play him in the slot. Running back Bucky Irving (125) won't blow away defenders with his speed, but he can make quick cuts between the tackles.
McMillan is my favorite prospect in Tampa Bay's class, but Barton should step in and be a top-10 center as a rookie. The Bucs got better this weekend.
The Bucs had a balanced first two days of the draft. Graham Barton (26) is my top-ranked center, and he'll immediately help a run game that ranked 32nd in yards per attempt (3.4) last season. While he played left tackle at Duke, he has All-Pro upside at the pivot. Chris Braswell (57) has been underrated for the past few months. The edge rusher isn't the flashiest player, but he is an all-around defender with an interesting skill set as a pass-rusher. Tampa Bay has to get better on the edge in 2024.
Wideout Jalen McMillan (92) was a steal at the end of Round 3. He could be an outstanding No. 3 receiver as a rookie before taking on a bigger role in 2025. Tykee Smith (89) went about a round earlier than I thought he would. At 5-10, he's undersized, but he does have some versatility. It sounds like the Bucs will play him in the slot. Running back Bucky Irving (125) won't blow away defenders with his speed, but he can make quick cuts between the tackles.
McMillan is my favorite prospect in Tampa Bay's class, but Barton should step in and be a top-10 center as a rookie. The Bucs got better this weekend.
The Ringer - Grade: C+
THIS WAS A SOLID IF UNSPECTACULAR HAUL OF CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE BUCCANEERS. They landed a versatile technician and plug-and-play starter on the offensive line with their first pick, Graham Barton. The former Duke standout projects as the day-one starter at center for Tampa Bay, which could be a major boon for Baker Mayfield and help the team finally get its run game going. Alabama defensive lineman Chris Braswell is a powerful edge rusher who could see snaps in the team's pass rush rotation early on, and Georgia safety Tykee Smith is a versatile defender with potential to see snaps right away as a nickelback. I also like the potential that both Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving bring to this offense; both are likely backup or rotational pieces to start their careers, but could develop into starters down the line.
USA Today - Grade: B-
Like the Ravens, they keep winning ... so they keep drafting late. But first-round OL Graham Barton (Duke) and second-round OLB Chris Braswell (Alabama) arrived at the intersection of need and value. Round 3 Washington WR Jalen McMillan could be the relative sleeper who delivers nicely.
Fox Sports - Grade: B+
The Bucs made no trades but still pulled in a strong class that hit on key needs. Center Graham Barton leads the way, with edge Chris Braswell, nickel Tykee Smith and receiver Jalen McMillan all in the top 100 picks. There were no trades, no small-school gems to be found, but they brought in potential impact players all over the field. Tampa Bay had the same record as New Orleans, but picked 12 spots later in each round as a result of being division champ. —Auman
CBS Sports - Grade: B+
Best Pick: Third-round receiver Jalen McMillan will prove to be a major steal. He was Washington's leading receiver in 2022, with more catches than Rome Odunze, who went ninth in this draft. McMillan will become a good slot receiver.
Worst Pick: I didn't love the pick of Chris Braswell in the second. I know they need pass-rush help, but this was a little high for Braswell in my book.
The Skinny: They did a nice job landing good players and also filling needs. It started with first-round guard-center Graham Barton, who will likely be the starting center. Braswell was picked for need and will be a rotation player early. I do like McMillan and fifth-round running back Bucky Irving.
Worst Pick: I didn't love the pick of Chris Braswell in the second. I know they need pass-rush help, but this was a little high for Braswell in my book.
The Skinny: They did a nice job landing good players and also filling needs. It started with first-round guard-center Graham Barton, who will likely be the starting center. Braswell was picked for need and will be a rotation player early. I do like McMillan and fifth-round running back Bucky Irving.
Sporting News - Grade: B+
Analysis: The Buccaneers did well again with GM Jason Licht, who made upgrading the offensive line a priority with the versatile and dominant Barton. Todd Bowles also got two key reinforcements, minus a linebacker, in Braswell and Smith. McMillan and Irving add a little more juice to the receiving core and backfield.
SI - Grade: B+
Analysis: Barton helps Tampa Bay continue to rebuild its line's interior, which GM Jason Licht has made quick work of since the unit's decay toward the end of the Tom Brady era. Centers are among the safest picks in the draft, and Barton can be an early investment into the Baker Mayfield era, as well as a critical bridge piece into Tampa's quarterback of the future decision.
Touchdown Wire - Grade: B-
The extent to which you like the Buccaneers' draft starts with how much you love Graham Barton. General manager Jason Licht has compared Barton to Ali Marpet, which I don't get at all. Marpet had a physical dominance to his playing demeanor that I don't see from Barton. I could be completely off base, but when I watched Barton's tape, I saw a high-floor guy with a very low ceiling. Taking an interior offensive lineman with middling attributes at the 26th overall pick is pretty iffy.
That said, it got a lot better from there. Chris Braswell never got the praise he deserved in those stacked Alabama defensive lines, but he'll be a force multiplier from Day 1. And I'm quite fond of Bucky Irving's ability to make an impact as a Devon Singletary-style back. Irving is a smaller back, but he broke 69 tackles (nice) on 186 carries last season for the Ducks, and he adds value as a receiver. Speaking of receivers, I like Jalen McMillan as a vertical speed receiver once he gets the hang of the nuances of the position. My issue here is the Barton pick, and how it might be a major reach for a team with a lot of other needs.
That said, it got a lot better from there. Chris Braswell never got the praise he deserved in those stacked Alabama defensive lines, but he'll be a force multiplier from Day 1. And I'm quite fond of Bucky Irving's ability to make an impact as a Devon Singletary-style back. Irving is a smaller back, but he broke 69 tackles (nice) on 186 carries last season for the Ducks, and he adds value as a receiver. Speaking of receivers, I like Jalen McMillan as a vertical speed receiver once he gets the hang of the nuances of the position. My issue here is the Barton pick, and how it might be a major reach for a team with a lot of other needs.