The Bucs coaches and personnel staff will travel to Mobile, Ala. this week for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl to scout some of the nation’s best college football players. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles have drafted 10 Senior Bowl participants over the last two years – five in each of the last two drafts.

The Pewter Report staff will be in Mobile too to cover all of the Bucs-oriented Senior Bowl action.

In this Bucs 2024 Senior Bowl Preview, we’ll take a look at 20 potential Tampa Bay targets on the offensive side of the ball. On Sunday, Pewter Report will feature 20 possible Bucs targets on defense at the Senior Bowl.

Bucs Quarterback Targets

If Baker Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay in free agency as expected, the Bucs won’t need to draft a quarterback, especially in the first or second round. That rules out Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix – both of whom will be at the Senior Bowl.

Bucs backup Kyle Trask is under contract for one more year, but the team could be interested in drafting another QB later in the draft to compete with Trask. Here are two mid-round prospects to know.

Tulane QB Michael Pratt – 6-3, 220

Tulane QB Michael Pratt – Photo by: USA Today

Pratt is an incredible winner with a sterling record of 21-3 over the past two seasons. Among those victories were wins against a pair of Top 15 teams in Kansas State and USC in 2022, and a hard-fought, narrow, 40-35 loss at No. 2 Oklahoma in 2021. Pratt is a big reason why the Green Wave finished in the Top 20 the last two seasons.

Pratt is a good athlete with the ability to scramble, especially in the red zone where he’s scored most of his 28 career rushing touchdowns. He has a good arm and nice touch on his passes. He’s completed 64% of his passes over the last two years and has 90 touchdown passes and just 26 interceptions in his career. Over the past two seasons, Pratt has thrown 49 TDs and just 10 INTs. He’s a solid Day 2 pick, likely in the third round.

Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman – 6-1, 215

Hartman spent five years at Wake Forest battling injuries early in his career before transferring to Notre Dame last season. He has some accuracy issues, as he left the Demon Deacons completing just 59.1% of his passes, but he did throw for 110 touchdowns and 41 interceptions.

Hartman will take some unnecessary risks with the football, evidenced by 34 interceptions in his past three seasons. But he is also a prolific point producer with 39 TDs and 38 TDs in his last two seasons at Wake Forest before throwing 24 scores last year for the Fighting Irish. Hartman’s game reminds some of a poor man’s Baker Mayfield, especially the similarity in stature. He’s viewed as a Day 3 QB prospect.

Bucs Running Back Targets

The Bucs only have two running backs under contract in starter Rachaad White and seldom-used rookie Sean Tucker. The Bucs cut Ke’Shawn Vaughn during the season and Chase Edmonds is a free agent, but he’s more of a change-of-pace back.

Running back isn’t a pressing need, but finding one to pair with White in the middle rounds might be worth the investment, likely on Day 3. Here are three backs that fit Tampa Bay’s offensive scheme.

Kentucky RB Ray Davis – 5-10, 216

Davis reminds some scouts of Texans running back Dameon Pierce due to his bowling-ball frame and physical running style. The Wildcats back forced 51 missed tackles and gained 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns on 199 carries (5.7 avg.), including 751 yards after contact. An accomplished receiver, Davis had 33 catches for 323 yards (9.8 avg.) with seven TDs last year. Davis is a Day 2 back and should be one of the first runners off the board.

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright – 5-11, 210

Troy RB Kimani Vidal – Photo by: USA Today

Wright is an explosive runner who earned a 91 overall Pro Football Focus grade this past season while rushing for 1,010 yards and scoring four touchdowns while averaging a gaudy 7.4-yard average. He picked up 592 yards after contact and is also a good receiver with 22 catches for 141 yards. Wright is a Day 2 prospect that could go as high as the second round with a fast 40-time.

Troy RB Kimani Vidal – 5-8, 218

Vidal is an absolute tank, who ran for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 and then blasted his way for 1,661 yards and 14 TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per carry last year. He earned a 92.3 PFF grade and also caught 18 passes for 200 yards and a TD. Vidal picked up 1,056 yards after contact, and his 94 missed tackles were the second-most in college football. Vidal’s lack of speed will hurt him a bit on some draft boards, but he’s a solid Day 3 selection.

Bucs Wide Receiver Targets

Mike Evans is slated to be a free agent, but is expected to return. Meanwhile Chris Godwin is entering a contract year in Tampa Bay. The Bucs need better production from the No. 3 spot where Russell Gage was out all year and is expected to be released, and rookie Trey Palmer was inconsistent.

Finding another big receiver to compete with Palmer and perhaps eventually succeed Godwin as the No. 2 is a sound strategy. The Bucs could use more size at receiver, so here are five big pass catchers Pewter Report will be scouting in Mobile.

South Carolina WR Xavier Legette – 6-3, 227

South Carolina WR Xavier Legette – Photo by: USA Today

Legette was a one-year wonder for the Gamecocks with a breakout year in which he caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. His 17.7-yard average certainly caught the eye of NFL scouts. The big-bodied receiver currently has a Day 2 grade.

Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk – 6-2, 204

Polk was the No. 2 receiver after Rome Odunze for Michael Penix Jr. this year. He nearly doubled his production in 2023, catching 69 passes for 1,159 (16.8 avg.) and nine touchdowns after 41 receptions for 694 yards (16.9 avg.) and six TDs the year prior. Polk is a Day 2 receiver with a nice mix of speed, size and route-running ability.

North Carolina WR Devontez Walker – 6-3, 200

The Kent State transfer missed the beginning of the season due to a suspension, but caught 41 passes for 699 yards (17.0 avg.) and seven touchdowns in just eight games. He had 58 receptions for 921 yards (15.9 avg.) and 11 TDs for the Golden Flashes in 2022. Walker is a dynamic talent and a Day 2 sleeper.

Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley – 5-11, 210

Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley – Photo by: USA Today

A tough, physical receiver with tremendous YAC (yards after catch) ability, Corley has drawn comparisons to Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel. After catching 101 passes for 1,282 yards (12.7 avg.) and 11 TDs in 2022, Corley’s numbers dipped a bit last year with 79 catches for 985 yards (12.5 avg.) and 11 TDs. This big slot receiver will likely be a third- or fourth-round pick. Corley is a third-round pick in Pewter Report’s initial Bucs mock draft.

USC WR Brenden Rice – 6-3, 210

The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was Caleb Williams’ primary target last year for the Trojans. Rice caught 45 passes for 791 yards (17.6 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. Like his father, he has good size and runs great routes, but Rice is not the fleetest of foot. How he separates from defensive backs in Mobile will go a long way towards his draft stock, which is somewhere between the second and fourth rounds.

Bucs Tight End Targets

Cade Otton made some strides as a pass-catching tight end at the end of the season, but ideally he’s best suited to be TE2 unless he can get stronger and become a better inline blocker. Payne Durham showed some flashes and could also be a solid TE2, while Ko Kieft brings little to the table and should be replaced.

The Bucs could use a true TE1 on the roster, as that would upgrade the position. Here are four tight ends that have potential as receivers.

Florida State TE Jaheim Bell – 6-3, 243

Bell transferred to FSU from South Carolina and had 39 receptions for 503 yards and two touchdowns last year. He’s more of a receiver than a blocker, and he isn’t the biggest tight end for sure. But his speed and ability to get yards after the catch make him a weapon in the passing game and he’s likely a Day 2 pick.

Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott – 6-4, 245

Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott – Photo by: USA Today

Sinnott is a high-effort, hard-working tight end that can block and catch, which makes him a valuable commodity. After catching 31 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, Sinnott was K-State’s leading receiver last year with 49 receptions for 676 yards and six TDs. With good yards-after-catch skills and the ability to make contested catches, Sinnott is the Bucs’ fourth-round pick in Pewter Report’s initial mock draft.

TCU TE Jared Wiley – 6-7, 260

Wiley is a big, rangy tight end who really excelled as a receiver this year for the Horned Frogs. He caught 47 passes for 520 yards (11.1 avg.) and was deadly in the red zone with eight touchdowns. Wiley finished his TCU career with 15 career TDs. He currently has a Day 3 grade.

Minnesota TE Brevyn Spann-Ford – 6-7, 270

Like Wiley, Spann-Ford is a massive tight end, who is used primarily as a receiver. He does a good job working the middle of the field and finding holes in zone coverage, but his height works against him as an inline run blocker. That leaves scouts to have mixed opinions on Spann-Ford, who has a Day 3 grade after catching 25 passes for 239 yards (9.6 avg.) and two TDs.

Bucs Offensive Line Targets

Tampa Bay has a pressing need for interior linemen in this year’s draft – at both guard and center. Left guard Aaron Stinnie needs to be replaced and the Bucs could use an upgrade at center where Robert Hainsey is average at best.

Expect the Bucs to come away with at least one interior offensive linemen from the Senior Bowl. Bucs general manager Jason Licht has drafted six Senior Bowl offensive linemen since 2014 – the most of any position group – including right guard Cody Mauch last year. Here are six names to know.

Duke OL Graham Barton – 6-5, 314

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photo by: USA Today

Barton is a highly-regarded offensive lineman who started at left tackle for the last three years. At 6-foot-5, 314 pounds and with short arms he’s likely going to move inside at the next level to either guard or center. Barton is a physical lineman and a nasty finisher who has a chance to be a first-round pick.

Washington OL Troy Fautanu – 6-4, 317

Fautanu played left tackle at Washington, but at 6-foot-4, 317 pounds, his frame might be best suited for guard. He’s a good athlete with nimble feet, but is not the most powerful lineman. Fautanu is regarded as a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson – 6-3, 320

Powers-Johnson is the best pure center prospect in this year’s draft and will be the best center in Mobile with West Virginia’s Zach Frazier out with a leg injury. Powers-Johnson also has experience at guard and has a nasty disposition. He’s a second-round pick who could sneak into the late first round. Powers-Johnson is the Bucs’ second-rounder in Pewter Report’s initial mock draft.

Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran – 6-4, 310

Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran – Photo by: USA Today

Van Pran is a three-year starter at Georgia where he won two national championships. Equally adept at run blocking and pass protection, Van Pran is going to be a great value on Day 2 for some team looking for a Day 1 starter at center.

UConn G Christian Haynes – 6-2, 313

Hayes is one of the best pure guard prospects in this year’s draft. He’s undersized, but consistent as a three-year starter at right guard for the Huskies. Scouts love his toughness and physicality, but he’s limited athletically. Hayes could be drafted as high as the second round or as low as the fourth round. The Senior Bowl week will be big for him.

Texas A&M G Layden Robinson – 6-4, 315

Robinson is a mauler in the run game, but is limited to a gap scheme because he’s not a fluid enough mover to have great success in a zone blocking scheme. Likely destined for the third or fourth round, Robinson’s violent hands and demeanor could move him up to the second round on some team’s draft boards.

Pewter Report’s Senior Bowl Coverage Begins On Monday

The entire Pewter Report staff will travel to Mobile, Ala. on Monday to cover the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, which is the premier college all-star game. The Bucs have drafted five players from the Senior Bowl in each of the last two seasons.

Additionally, the Senior Bowl is also known as the biggest NFL job fair. With the Bucs needing an offensive coordinator to replace Dave Canales, and possibly wide receivers coach Brad Idzik if he follows Canales to Carolina, general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles will have a dual purpose in Mobile.

Pewter Report will have complete coverage of the Senior Bowl practices and the Bucs’ offensive coordinator search on PewterReport.com, as well as on the Pewter Report Podcasts – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report.

Try the new CELSIUS Essentials, which is engineered for the workout enthusiast in a bigger can with more caffeine to fuel your workout. There are four new delicious CELSIUS Essentials flavors – Orangesicle, Dragonberry, Blue Crush and Cherry Limeade.

For Senior Bowl week the Pewter Report Podcast will be in prime time – Monday through Wednesday – live at 7:00 p.m. ET. Bucs fans can watch the Pewter Report Podcast live on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel.

Pewter Report Podcast Schedule

Monday, January 29 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, January 30 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, January 31 – 7:00 p.m. ET