The Buccaneers 2025 draft class features several players on the defensive side of the ball through the middle rounds, including second-round pick Benjamin Morrison (53), third-rounder Jacob Parrish (84), fourth-rounder David Walker (121) and fifth-rounder Elijah Roberts (157).

On Day Two, the Bucs double-dipped at cornerback after taking a receiver in the first round in Emeka Egbuka. In Round Two, the Bucs took Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison. Morrison fell to the second round due to injuries sustained throughout his collegiate tenure with the Fighting Irish. He had two hip surgeries in the previous four years and missed most of his junior year recovering. Morrison missed spring practices due to a shoulder injury that required surgery but plays with a natural feel in coverage and is a versatile defender. He primarily served as an outside cornerback in their 4-2-5 base system and moved into the slot when needed. The fundamentally-sound defender is adept at mirroring routes and reacting to cuts. He is effective in press man and showcases his patience and range/awareness in off coverage. Morrison is quick off the edge on blitzes and has outstanding ball-tracking skills, finding the football downfield and defending the throw. During his three-year career, he posted 27 passes defensed and nine interceptions. Morrison joins a room featuring Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum and Bryce Hall.

In the third round, the Bucs snagged Jacob Parrish. Parrish led Kansas State in passes defensed as a sophomore and junior. He primarily lined up as the left cornerback in their multiple scheme and moved to nickel for third-down packages. With agile footwork, quick closing pursuit on the ball and physicality against the run and pass, Parrish brings a promising upside to Tampa Bay. He blanketed some of college football’s most heralded receivers, including Travis Hunter in 2024, and pairs successful change-of-direction skills with the speed to stay with vertical threats. Parrish uses a variety of techniques to reroute receivers off releases in press man and is a solid open-field tackler. He nabbed 23 passes defensed and five interceptions while playing for Kansas State and constantly searches for the football.

In the fourth, the Buccaneers picked up three-time Consensus All-American David Walker. Walker became one of the most productive players in FCS lore, accumulating 82.5 tackles for loss and 39 sacks over the previous four campaigns. He won the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player. Walker dominated the Senior Bowl and consistently jumped off the tape as the most lethal defender on the field. He is quick off the snap and penetrates gaps. Walker has a powerful punch and dropped more in pass coverage during the 2024 season, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. 33.8 percent of his career tackles came in the backfield and the 2024 team captain will join the Bucs’ edge rotation featuring Yaya Diaby, Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell and Jose Ramirez.

In the fifth round, Tampa Bay selected Elijah Roberts, a versatile defensive lineman who led the FBS with a combined 131 pressures over the previous two seasons for the Mustangs. He primarily lined up off the edge in their four-man base and wreaked havoc at the point of contact. Roberts has interior potential with power as the focal point of his game. Roberts possesses long arms, imposing strength and lateral mobility for maneuvers inside. He quickly diagnoses blocking schemes and reacts to elevate the run defense. Roberts will join an athletic cast featuring Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, Mike Green and Greg Gaines.