The Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed the offensive line with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but one analyst believes they would go in a completely different direction if given another opportunity.
In a recent 2024 NFL re-draft for CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles projected the Buccaneers would select former Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner with the 26th overall pick instead of center Graham Barton, who was Tampa Bay’s original first-round selection.
Pereles acknowledged that the Buccaneers had already invested premium draft capital in their defensive front by selecting Calijah Kancey in the first round and Yaya Diaby in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Even so, he argued that Turner would have been too good to pass up, particularly in Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive scheme.
According to Pereles, Bowles would thrive with a player like Turner because of his ability to create pressure from multiple alignments. Although Turner’s first two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings have featured an inconsistent role, Pereles noted that the former Alabama standout broke through with eight sacks in 2025 and is expected to see an even larger workload entering the 2026 season.
It’s an interesting projection when viewed through the lens of Tampa Bay’s current roster. The Buccaneers have continued to prioritize the edge position, using the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Rueben Bain Jr. to pair with Yaya Diaby. Anthony Nelson remains part of the rotation, while Chris Braswell and David Walker provide additional depth behind the starters.
That depth chart suggests Tampa Bay recognized the need to continue strengthening its pass rush despite previous investments at the position. Had Turner been selected in 2024, the Buccaneers may have entered 2026 with one of the deepest collections of young edge rushers in the NFL.
At the same time, it’s difficult to overlook what Graham Barton has meant to Tampa Bay’s offensive line. Redrafts are designed to reevaluate decisions with the benefit of hindsight, but they rarely account for how different roster construction would have looked had another player been selected. Turner has developed into a productive NFL pass rusher, yet the Buccaneers have also found long-term value in Barton while continuing to build their defensive front through subsequent draft classes.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs land breakout edge rusher in 2024 NFL re-draft from CBS Sports
