Buccaneers Mock Draft: Bucs Take EDGE With 'Most Refined Tape' in NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers land an immediate replacement for Shaquil Barrett in the first round by selecting UCLA's Laiatu Latu.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been movers and shakers this offseason, and the potential for the team to look much different next season continues to grow. 

Losing coach Dave Canales to the Carolina Panthers was a big blow, but bringing in Liam Coen all but assures the Buccaneers they can not only replicate the success of 2023, but may even grow despite the change at offensive coordinator. 

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Then Tampa Bay secured its biggest to-do list item by securing future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans for at least two more years.

Now, the Bucs will turn their focus to quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. before setting out to find a replacement for outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett who will become a free agent next week.

For that task, the Buccaneers may - or even should - look to the first round of the NFL Draft when looking for Barrett's replacement. 

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half at Rose Bowl / Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

"Most refined tape of any edge rushers in the class," Kyle Crabbs of Locked On NFL Scouting with The Draft Dudes says of UCLA Bruins EDGE Laiatu Latu. "When you contrast that with Logan Hall who was an addition on the defensive line as a little bit of a raw player with one of their early picks, and (outside linebacker Joe) Tryon-Shoyinka as a first-round pick in 2021, and (outside linebacker) YaYa Diaby was a big flash guy but still raw coming out of Louisville...this is too good a talent to pass up."

In their most recent mock draft hosts Joe Marino and Crabbs send Latu to Tampa Bay using the No. 26 overall pick it earned by winning nine games and a Wild Card contest in 2023. 

Latu does have some medical concerns stemming from the fact he was at one point retired from football due to health issues.

But he also has ties to the Washington Huskies program, where he played before transferring to UCLA after being medically cleared to return to the field.

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Once he did, Latu became a force on the field racking up 23.5 sacks in the past two seasons for the Bruins, and is a lock to come off the draft boards on Day 1 at this time.

At the NFL Scouting Combine Latu said, "I'd love to play alongside (Tryon-Shoyinka," again like they did with the Huskies less than a handful of years ago.

He also said his meeting with the Bucs went well, and if it went well enough then this mock projection could become a reality in just a little more than seven weeks.

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