Grading CBS Sports' 7-round mock draft for the Bucs

[ASFN Admin]

CBS Sports dropped their final mock draft from their lead draft analyst, Chris Trapasso, this week. He went through all 257 picks of every round, which means we have more than just one or two picks to discuss. We thought that because we have a full seven-round mock draft, we should put on our teacher hats and grade it.

The Bucs have six picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. How did Trapasso use them?

Jason Licht is coming off arguably the best draft class in 2024 so expectations are high in 2025. The team is close to contending for a Super Bowl, nailing the picks in this year's draft could be the difference in them making a Super Bowl run or remaining in the middle of the pack.

Here is who the Bucs landed in this mock draft and out grades.

Round 1, Pick 21 (via PIT): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas​

Grade: A+

Barron would be CB1 for the Bucs immediately and be used ina ny role that they seem fit. They can use him on zone or man, or even nickel of they had to. Barron is a great football player is the point and the Bucs would be lucky if he is available to them when they draft in round 1.

Round 2, Pick 53: Braydn Swinson, Edge, LSU​

Grade: B+

Swinson has quietly gotten a bit of momentum in recent weeks. The LSU pass rusher is strong, has a great motor, and good hands to be able to win pass rush reps. I like him here in round two as a consolation prize if they miss out on the top edge rushers in round one.

Round 3, Pick 83 (via PIT): Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia​

Grade: D-

The linebacker class is a tough one outside of the top two in the group. After Jihaad Campbell and Demetrius Knight Jr. the Bucs shouldn't look at linebacker till day three as that is where most graded out for me. Mondon Jr. is a smaller linebacker but has good instincts, I just don't like him in round three here.

Round 3, Pick 84: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon​

Grade: B+

I am a fan of the idea of getting Cade Otton into a competition this Summer and through the preseason for the Bucs. The team needs more production out of the position and Ferguson could give them that. He has strong hands, good contact balance, and is able to pick up yards after the catch.

Round 4, pick 121: Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa​

Grade: C+

This late in the draft the Bucs are adding depth and Jermari Harris is a solid choice there. He is a physical cornerback who could find some roles on special teams and different packages on defense.

Round 5, Pick 157: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Penn State​

Grade: B

I really like the idea of the Bucs adding someone who can take the top off of a defense and that is Lambert-Smith. He is explosive and could easily be a big third down, explosive play guy who averages 20+ yards a catch as a rookie wherever he goes.

Round 6, Pick 185: Shemar James, LB, Florida​

Grade: C+

Shemar James has some size issues that may hold him back in the NFL which is why he is a projected day three pick. For the Bucs I like him as a depth piece behind Lavonte David and Smael Mondon Jr. in this case.

Round 7, Pick 235: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan​

Grade: C

Hinton is one final depth piece, this time for the offensive line. The Bucs lost Justin Skule but signed some other replacements but the more the better after last year saw the team losing steam at times due to their issues due to depth on the roster.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What grades did we give CBS Sports for their 7-round mock?

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