Styles is a safety-turned-linebacker who can run, fill his run fits and offer plus cover talent. He's frequently compared to Fred Warner, which is about as big a compliment as you can get as an off-ball 'backer.

If this were a seven-round mock draft, every Buccaneers pick might come on defense. Things are that bleak. One year after choosing wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 after a run on defensive players before their pick, the Bucs can't afford to have defenders wiped off the board in April. Cisse has the length (6-foot, 190 pounds) to compete at the line of scrimmage, but it's his turn technique and speed in phase that stands out. Cisse's best trait is his ability to eliminate targets and win in contested situations. Although he might be more of a man corner, he's versatile enough to be effective playing off the line in the Bucs' fire zone scheme thanks to very good recovery agility and fast instincts.

Lavonte David's decline this season was stark. Although Allen doesn't have David's hallmark agility and range, he's an impactful downhill linebacker who can clean up in the run game and be a force player on first and second downs.

First, Faulk just turned 20 in September. Second, he's unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn't happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it's going to be scary.

Best Pick: Third-round corner Jacob Parrish should be able to push for time as the nickel corner right away. He played outside in college, but he has the look of a good nickel on the next level.

Worst Pick: I think receiver Emeka Egbuka is a heck of a player. But I might have gone corner or edge in the first. Having said that, I understand the pick because of the age of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin's injury.

The Skinny: 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.

Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker

I didn't have wide receiver among the biggest draft needs for the Buccaneers, with Chris Godwin returning and joining Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. That said, Evans and Godwin both missed time last season, and Evans is going to be a 32-year-old free agent next season. So, the Emeka Egbuka selection makes a lot of sense. I really like his game -- he runs crisp routes and has dependable hands. I had Matthew Golden ranked higher, but I was hearing some first-round buzz on Egbuka, so the value lines up. The Bucs' past six first-round picks have been at either offensive line or the front seven. The last skill position player on Day 1? Tight end O.J. Howard in 2017.

Egbuka is the headliner in a decent draft class for the four-time defending NFC South champs. While I wasn't focusing on WR with my team needs, I had edge rusher and cornerback circled. Tampa Bay used its top picks at the edge in 2021 and 2022, but things haven't panned out. Logan Hall's 5.5 sacks led the Bucs' edge rushers last season. I love David Walker, though. You might not know the name because he played at FCS Central Arkansas, but he proved at the Senior Bowl that he can play with the best of them. He had 31 sacks and 63 tackles for loss over the past three seasons. His tape is filled with explosion, power and a deep variety of pass-rush moves.

The Buccaneers spent Friday night tending to their CB depth chart, landing Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Morrison fell on boards after a hip injury ended his 2024 season, but he's great in press coverage and has good ball skills. Parrish was a combine riser for me, and his explosive traits will shine in the slot. The Buccaneers had seven interceptions last season, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL, but these two should help up that number in 2025 and beyond.