We’re just a couple of weeks away from the 2024 NFL draft, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has a fresh two-round mock draft for NFL fans to dissect.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kiper has them addressing their biggest needs on both sides of the ball with their first two selections, getting a strong blend of instant impact and sky-high upside in the process.
At the No. 26 overall pick in the first round, Kiper has the Bucs going with Penn State edge defender Chop Robinson, one of the most explosive pass rushers in this year’s class.
Here’s what Kiper had to say about sending Robinson to Tampa Bay:
How about Tampa Bay as the team for Robinson, an intriguing pass-rusher with upside? The Bucs have gotten just three sacks in two seasons from 2022 second-rounder Logan Hall, and 2021 first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka still hasn’t broken out (13 sacks in three seasons). Robinson had 9.5 sacks over his final two college seasons, but his 18% pressure rate last season — which ranked sixth in the FBS — showed he can create havoc even if he doesn’t take down the quarterback.
Kiper also noted that cornerback could be a strong consideration for the Bucs at that pick, naming Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa and Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry as possible targets if Tampa Bay were to go in that direction.
Robinson would be a strong fit for what the Bucs need on defense, but passing on Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was a tough pill to swallow when digesting this mock. That was, until, Tampa Bay landed West Virginia’s Zach Frazier in the second round of Kiper’s projection.
Here’s Kiper’s thinking behind that selection:
Ryan Jensen’s unfortunate retirement due to a lingering knee injury has impacted the Bucs’ O-line plan. Cody Mauch, a second-round pick last year, started every game at right guard, but I think they could upgrade at center. They ranked 32nd in run block win rate (67.3%) last season. Frazier was the pivot for a West Virginia line that allowed just 10 sacks last season. He could end up at center or guard at the next level. Frazier might have gone higher, but he’s recovering from a broken leg he suffered in mid-November.
Passing on JPJ would be worth it if the Bucs were indeed able to land Frazier in the second round. There’s not a huge gap between them as prospects, and Frazier would give the Bucs an immediate upgrade over Robert Hainsey at center.
To check out Kiper’s full two-round projection at ESPN.com (subscription required), click here.
