Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently revisited the 2025 NFL Draft and gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a different first-round selection.
In Davenport’s re-draft, Tampa Bay selects Jalon Walker at No. 19 overall instead of former Ohio State Buckeyes football receiver Emeka Egbuka.
According to the article, losing Egbuka in a re-draft scenario would be a difficult outcome for the Buccaneers, particularly after the departure of Mike Evans. However, Davenport argued that Tampa Bay’s need for a dynamic front-seven defender made Walker an appealing alternative.
The article pointed to Tampa Bay’s continued search for a consistent pass-rushing presence as a key factor in the selection. No player on the Buccaneers’ roster recorded eight sacks during the 2025 season, creating a need for additional impact plays around the line of scrimmage.
What makes Walker particularly intriguing in Davenport’s view is his versatility. Although he recorded 5.5 sacks as a rookie, much of his college career was spent playing off-ball linebacker. That experience allows him to move around the formation and contribute in multiple ways rather than functioning solely as a traditional edge rusher.
Davenport specifically highlighted Walker’s fit in a defense coordinated by head coach Todd Bowles. His ability to line up both on the edge and inside would give Bowles another movable chess piece to utilize within his aggressive pressure packages.
Re-drafts are always built with the benefit of hindsight, and Tampa Bay ultimately appears pleased with Egbuka’s development. Still, Davenport believes Walker’s versatility and pass-rushing potential would have made him an attractive option had the Buccaneers gone in a different direction during the first round.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs go defense instead of offense in 2025 NFL Re-Draft
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
