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As General Manager Jason Licht pointed out on Thursday in his pre-draft press conference, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2024 roster still has plenty of needs. He even suggested that was a good thing, in that a team that was good enough to get to the Divisional Round of the playoffs in 2023 can be even better with a few key additions. Licht was specifically asked about such positions as cornerback, offensive line, edge rusher and receiver and agreed that a top prospect at any of those spots would be very tempting in the first round.

Of course, Licht also said that it was impossible to hit all of a team's needs in one draft. Fortunately, free agency comes before the draft and the Buccaneers' series of key re-signings (Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Lavonte David, et al.) plus outside additions have given Licht flexibility on draft weekend. The Buccaneers have a hole to fill at left guard and could target that position early in the draft, but they also have two new starting candidates in Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta. Cornerback depth became an issue when Carlton Davis was traded to Detroit, but the signings of Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas gives the Bucs numbers and options at that position, too. Evans' new multi-year deal makes receiver a less pressing concern. And so on.

Now, the most significant fulcrum on which the Bucs' draft needs rested was the status of quarterback Baker Mayfield, whether he would return after his big rebound season in 2023 or find a new NFL home. When he did commit to a three-year deal to stay in Tampa, the Bucs were essentially bumped out of that group of teams that would clearly be hunting a quarterback early in the draft.

But did the Bucs just cover up the quarterback column on their draft board and bump that discussion to another year? That's one of our pre-draft musings following Licht's meeting with the media.

How closely are the Buccaneers looking at this year's quarterback class, and could they be a surprise team to take a passer in the 2024 draft?

The Bucs fell in love with Mayfield in 2023 and he's the clear starter in 2024 and hopefully for at least three more years. Mayfield set career highs in his first season in Tampa with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdown tosses, he ranked eighth in the league in EPA per pass play and he led the Bucs back to the playoffs in the post-Tom Brady era. Any quarterback the Bucs would add would not be immediately competing for a starting job.

The Buccaneers also already have a quarterback they took as a developmental project in the second round in 2021 in Kyle Trask. However, Trask is entering the fourth and final season of his rookie contract and has not gotten much of an opportunity to play in the regular season. Tampa Bay also re-signed third quarterback John Wolford, who is valued not only for his NFL starting experience but also his contributions as something of an extra coach in the meeting room. That's the trio the Bucs ran with last year and they would be perfectly satisfied to do it again in 2024.

However, the Bucs' scouts aren't getting a year off from studying passers.

"We look at all of the quarterbacks," said Licht. "We spend a lot of time looking at the quarterbacks. I would never say that we wouldn't take a quarterback because you could take one and be glad that you did at some point. Now, we like our room right now, but we will take a look at all of them, or we already have. It's a little bit top heavy this year, but there is always that instance if we like somebody, and like I said, if we think he's better than the other positions on the board that we would consider."

Licht referred to this year's group of QB prospects as "a really good class," but also acknowledged that opinions can change over time.

"I really like them," said Licht of a group headlined by USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, all of whom could be top-10 picks. "But then you go back 10 years, and I said the same thing about another class and only one of them worked out. What makes it kind of fun, and at the same time is challenging, is that there are so many factors that go into it – the city that they go to, the coaching staff, the players around them, just what is going on with that player's life at the time. Do they play right away, or do they sit?

"There are so many factors that go into whether a quarterback succeeds. I mean, we saw Baker have a great year early in his career and then come here and revive himself. It's interesting. If anybody can ever nail it and figured it out, then they're going to be a wealthy person."

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Will the new kickoff rules increase the possibility of the Bucs' drafting players with return skills?

The NFL's dramatic reworking of the kickoff process has created an air of mystery about what the results on the field will look like, but one thing is certain: There will be more kickoff returns in 2024 than in 2023, when the league registered all-time lows in both returns and touchdowns on that play. That alone would suggest teams will put more of a premium on finding players with return capabilities, though strategies are still being formulated as to what type of returner will be best suited to the play's new format.

"Yeah, for sure," said Licht when asked if the new kickoff rules would increase the importance of returners. "It's going to become kind of more of an offensive play, almost, with the way that teams are going to scheme it. None of us really know exactly how it's going to look, because we haven't done it yet, but we have a thought of what it's going to be like. We've had a lot of discussions about it. It's going to put a premium on that type of returner, whether it's a punt returner or a kick returner. Like I said, it's going to be kind of an offensive play."

Ideally, the Buccaneers will be able to land some players in the draft who can contribute at another position while also presenting an option in the return game. For instance, Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who led the FBS in punt return yards in 2023, probably raised his draft stock when he broke the Combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash. That kind of speed is an awful nice trait to have when one break in a coverage line could lead to 70 yards of open grass in front of a return man.

Clemson running back Will Shipley is regarded as a potential Day Three pick but might move up into Day Two if teams like his return ability. He averaged 26.6 yards on 34 kickoff returns in 2023. Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith might be a late-round pick after he was pressed into a hybrid receiver/running back role last year, in part because he has shown the ability to return both punts and kickoffs.

Are there some positions, such as off-ball linebacker, at which the Buccaneers will be thinking more about the future than filling current needs?

The Buccaneers re-signed franchise cornerstone Lavonte David in March and anticipate him playing at the same impressive level he did in 2023 at the age of 33, hopefully on his way to being a "Buc for life." However, David's current deal, like his last one, covers only the upcoming season, so it's reasonable to start planning for a (hopefully somewhat distant) future in which David will have hung up the cleats.

There's also potential current need at the position, given that Devin White signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. The Bucs have already done some planning at linebacker in recent years with a pair of fifth-round picks, first Auburn's K.J. Britt in 2021 and then Pitt's SirVocea Dennis last year. Those two will be the prime competitors to take over White's spot, but even more talent at the position would be welcome if the draft falls that way.

"There are probably a few positions like that, but you can't fill them all," said Licht. "You can't fill all the needs with the draft. We only have so many picks. You have post-draft, you have trades… we will be adding players in August and September, and throughout the year. Last year, we took 'Voss' and we really like 'Voss.' We think 'Voss' has a really bright future, so we took some steps to hopefully take care of that [need] in the future, but I'm hoping Lavonte plays another seven years, to be honest with you."

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TAMPA, Fla. -- When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office convenes several times over the next few weeks to solidify its big board for the upcoming draft, it won't have to look far for inspiration.

There is a silhouette of a football player hanging on the wall of their draft room that reads, "I AM THAT MAN," in all capital letters. It's a template of sorts -- of how it's all supposed to look in human form. It lists the specific traits they covet: Accountable, competitive, confident, passionate and resilient.

This man of inspiration is Lavonte David.

"This is the person that we want in a player," general manager Jason Licht said. "It doesn't show his face, but it is Lavonte. He is the one that we look for every year. He is the standard."

The Bucs will look to select players in the three-day NFL draft starting April 25 -- with their first pick of seven coming in the first round at No. 26 -- based on the metric of David. He is a former second-round pick and is the longest-tenured Buccaneer on the roster.

David is returning for a 13th season after signing a one-year deal this offseason at age 34.

"He is the epitome of it. He is the poster child, literally, for us," Licht said. "Everything about Lavonte, and what makes him the player that he is, is elite -- his preparation, his competitiveness. His desire and his passion are a 10 [on a] 1 to 10 scale. ... As a player, he's a 10 on that, too. Everything about him is elite. That's what makes him who he is. That's what makes it special to be around him every day."

In 2023, David quietly put together a stellar season that went largely unnoticed -- including missing out on yet another Pro Bowl. He's been only once (2015) -- despite being the only player in the league with over 100 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. His 17 tackles for a loss this season were seventh most. It only adds to the stunning body of work he's accumulated.

His 160 tackles for a loss are fifth most in the league since 2008, when ESPN Stats & Info began tracking that metric, and third most among active players, behind only Calais Campbell (175) and Von Miller (164) and the most of any off the ball linebacker. His 28 career forced fumbles ranks him 31st all time and second most among active players, while his 18 fumble recoveries are the most of any active player. His 64 passes defensed are second among active players as well.

David's 1,478 career tackles are more than Pro Football Hall of Famers Junior Seau (1,396) and Brian Urlacher (1,290) in their first 12 seasons. His 33.5 career sacks are more than Hall of Famers Ray Lewis (30) and Zach Thomas (19.5) in their first 12 seasons. His 28 career forced fumbles are more than Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (21) and Lance Briggs (19), who are the only off-ball linebackers even coming close to that statistic, while his 18 fumble recoveries are more than Seau (16), Urlacher (14) and Lewis (13).

"He's a baller, man. It's crazy because he's still running around like he [is] 21," safety Antoine Winfield Jr. said this year.

Coach Todd Bowles called David, who has been a team captain for 10 consecutive seasons, the "ultimate professional."

"He's one of my favorite players I've ever coached," Bowles said. "I don't even look at his age -- he plays timeless. He plays timeless football, he plays it the right way, he prepares the right way."

This season David will move into third all time for most seasons suited up for the Bucs -- ahead of Buccaneers Ring of Honor member Paul Gruber and longtime Bucs color analyst and former tight end Dave Moore. He'll sit behind only Pro Football Hall of Famers and Ring of Honor members Derrick Brooks (14 seasons) and Ronde Barber (16).

David laughed when asked if he was chasing Barber on that list, having already surpassed him (1,428) this past year for second-most tackles in franchise history.

"No, Ronde was a different type of cat," David said. "Ronde played 16 years with all types of stuff going on, and I commend him for that. Ronde was kind of like a mentor for me for that short year that we had together. Still, I have a relationship with Ronde to this day. He's definitely a guy who I respect tremendously."

Pass game coordinator/inside linebackers coach Larry Foote said that after the Bucs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-12 in Week 16 and David racked up a game-leading eight solo tackles and a sack, a couple of the Jaguars coaches jokingly asked, "What is he taking?!"

"What a leader. Everybody should look towards [him] and try to be and emulate him," Foote said. "He's a pro. I tell guys -- not just linebackers -- [to] watch him and see what he does. I wish the whole outside of Tampa [knew] that. He is special, and I can't see another linebacker playing better than him right now. He's a good example for the young guys. Everybody should just look at him and try to copy everything he does."

David said it's by the "grace of God" that's kept him healthy and playing at an elite level each year for five different head coaches, including transitioning from a 4-3 weakside linebacker to a 3-4 inside linebacker during the later part of his career in 2019.

And we could see more changes in 2024 with the departure of fellow inside linebacker and mentee Devin White, who signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after a difficult season in 2023. At times, White struggled in coverage, which meant David would often cover underneath when White would rush the quarterback in one of Bowles' exotic blitz packages.

David said he would enthusiastically welcome more opportunities to blitz, something he did quite a bit of earlier in his career, notching a career-high seven sacks in his second season.

"I would love that, but it's [not] up to me," David said. "Whatever we do right, we stick with it. That's one thing I do respect about coach Bowles, and that I really like [that] he finds what is working for guys to make things comfortable for guys, and whatever is working and makes you comfortable, he's going to do it."

When Licht was was asked about his philosophies on balancing the needs of today versus the future as far as the draft goes -- especially when it comes to succession plans for aging players like David -- he expressed his affinity for both sides of the coin.

"Last year we took [SirVocea Dennis] -- and we really like Voss and we think Voss has a really bright future -- so we hopefully took some steps to hopefully take care [of the] future," Licht said. "But I'm hoping Lavonte plays another seven years."

David said he's unsure of when the time will come to hang it up, though. Ever since he got to Year 10, he's taken it one year at a time.

"We're going to worry about [Year] 13 right now, and then we're going to go from there," David said. "Honestly, I always say, the good Lord has blessed me tremendously to be here, and I love it and I enjoy it. We're just going to keep on taking it one day at a time.

"We're just going to try to get to the Super Bowl this year, and then I'll let you know after that."

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seven picks in the 2024 NFL draft, owning the No. 26 pick in the first round.

The Bucs are coming off of a 9-8 record, which was good enough to win the NFC South and get them into playoffs -- where they fell in the divisional round to the Detroit Lions. They spent a lot of money this offseason, but it was to retain players rather than bring them in. Tampa will look to fill some of its holes in the draft, where it has four of the top 100 picks.

The draft will take place at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit from April 25 through April 27. Round 1 starts at 8 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2 and 3 will be April 26, starting at 7 p.m. ET. Rounds 4 through 7 begin at noon ET on April 27. The draft will broadcast on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and the ESPN App. There are 257 total picks in the draft.

Here's the full list of the Bucs' draft picks by round, along with a look at their top roster needs headed into the 2024 season.

NFL draft coverage: Latest expert mock drafts Kiper's Big Board | Team needs Consensus rankings | More

Buccaneers' 2024 draft picks

Note: An asterisk denotes a compensatory selection.

Top three needs: OLB, C, G. In a cap-saving move, the Bucs cut ties with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett and didn't address that position in free agency. Yaya Diaby did lead the Bucs with 7.5 sacks his rookie season, and the team is excited about the growth of Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but the Bucs don't have a game-wrecker at the position. Anthony Nelson is more of a rotational player and coach Todd Bowles feels Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is more of a "Joker" type player who can move around. So look for them to take an outside linebacker in the draft.

Tampa Bay also needs to get better at interior run blocking, with holes at both center and left guard. -- Jenna Laine

It's already been a busy offseason for Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

They re-signed quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David to highlight their efforts in retaining the talented nucleus of a squad that won the NFC South and won a playoff game.

That doesn't mean the work is over for Licht, who has some other potential signings to work through and perhaps surprisingly might be looking for a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

With the draft looming, Licht is still hard at work trying to lock up extensions for Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tristan Wirfs, and expressed confidence the deals will get done.

"We've had really good discussions there," Licht said Thursday, via team transcript. "Once again, it's like the same thing when we were at the combine talking about Baker and Mike and Lavonte. We really want them here, we want them here long term, I think they want to be here long term. We've had a good track record with getting things done."

2020 first- and second-round selections for the Bucs, respectively, Wirfs and Winfield have earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades en route to becoming standouts for Tampa.

Wirfs, a three-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final season of his rookie deal, having had his fifth-year option picked up, while Winfield, a 2023 All-Pro, was kept around via the franchise tag.

Though Licht didn't offer a truly detailed update, he exuded confidence that promising news is ahead.

"I feel pretty good about things getting done," he said.

First things first, though, and that's the draft, which kicks off Thursday, April 25 in Detroit.

Slotted to pick at No. 26 overall in the opening round, Licht is of the mind that the team has plenty of areas to address.

"We have a lot," Licht said when asked of his team's biggest need. "And that's OK, to have a lot of needs. I think it's a good thing, actually. We came very close to going to the NFC Championship Game last year and we still signed our guys back and we still have a lot of needs. I think that shows that if we do this right, pretty soon, the next couple of years – or even this year – [we] could be competing. I always like the trenches, and I think we need help in both trenches."

Perhaps the Bucs will address both sides of the line early, perhaps not.

One area that could be surprising is the Bucs looking for a quarterback after re-signing Mayfield.

That wouldn't disqualify Licht from taking another signal-caller, though it wouldn't be to compete with Mayfield. Behind Mayfield currently are Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-rounder of the Bucs who's appeared in only three NFL games, and John Wolford.

"We look at all of the quarterbacks," Licht said. "We spend a lot of time looking at the quarterbacks. I would never say that we wouldn't take a quarterback because you could take one and be glad that you did at some point. Now, we like our room right now, but we will take a look at all of them, or we already have. It's a little bit top heavy this year, but there is always that instance if we like somebody, and like I said, if we think he's better than the other positions on the board that we would consider."

Indeed, a busy offseason for Licht and the Bucs has hardly concluded.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Some of your favorite artists may be stopping in the Tampa Bay area this summer.

Megan Thee Stallion and Missy Elliott are both bringing their first-ever headlining tours to Amalie Arena and Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band are coming to Raymond James Stadium with the “Sun Goes Down Tour.”

Here is a look at dozens of other artists coming to the Tampa Bay area over the next few months.

April

April 12: Billy Strings at Yuengling Center

April 13: Los Lonely Boys at Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

April 19: Jesse McCartney at The Ritz Ybor

April 19: Beach Fossils at Orpheum Theatre

April 20: Kenny Chesney: Sun Goes Down Tour with Zac Brown Band at Raymond James Stadium

April 25: Johnny Mathis at Ruth Eckerd Hall

April 26: HEART at Amalie Arena

April 26: Kenny G at Ruth Eckerd Hall

April 28: The Veronicas at The Ritz Ybor

May

May 1: Alvvays at The Ritz Ybor

May 4: Brooks & Dunn: Reboot Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 9: AJR – The Maybe Man Tour at Amalie Arena

May 9: Sting and The Florida Orchestra at Mahaffey Theater

May 9: Diana Ross at The BayCare Sound

May 10: Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 11: Hozier – Unreal Unearth Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 15: En Vogue at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center

May 19: Chappell Roan – The Midwest Princess Tour at Jannus Live

May 21: Bad Bunny – Most Wanted Tour at Amalie Arena

May 22: Dave Matthews Band at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 24: NF at Amalie Arena

May 31: Kane Brown at Amalie Arena

May 31: Niall Horan: “THE SHOW” LIVE ON TOUR at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

June

June 1: Kane Brown at Amalie Arena

June 8: Megan Thee Stallion – Hot Girl Summer Tour at Amalie Arena

June 9: The Kid LAROI First Time Tour at Yuengling Center

June 14: 21 Savage: American Dream Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

June 14: Justin Timberlake – The Forget Tomorrow World Tour at Amalie Arena

June 16: Santana and Counting Crows: Oneness Tour at Amalie Arena

June 18: Melanie Martinez: The Trilogy Tour at Amalie Arena

June 19: Alanis Morissette – The Triple Moon Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

June 21: Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlimited Love Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

June 30: Pepe Aguilar – Jaripeo “Hasta Los Huesos” at Amalie Arena

June 30: Walker Hayes: Same Drunk Tour at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center

July

July 2: Barbie The Movie: In Concert at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 6: KID CUDI – INSANO: ENGAGE THE RAGE WORLD TOUR at Amalie Arena

July 7: KC and the Sunshine Band at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center

July 11: Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time at Raymond James Stadium

July 11: The Doobie Brothers at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 12: Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time at Raymond James Stadium

July 16: Janet Jackson: Together Again at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 19: New Kids On The Block with Paula Abdul & DJ Jazzy Jeff at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 20: Styx & Foreigner with John Waite – Renegades and Juke Box Heroes Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 24: Missy Elliott – OUT OF THIS WORLD – THE EXPERIENCE at Amalie Arena

July 25: Third Eye Blind with Special Guest Yellowcard – Summer Gods Tour 2024 at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 25: Donny Osmond at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center

July 27: Sad Summer Festival at The BayCare Sound

July 31: Lindsey Stirling at The BayCare Sound

July 31: Jonas Brothers at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center

August

Aug. 10: Slash at The BayCare Sound

Aug. 11: $uicideboy$ – Grey Day Tour at Amalie Arena

Aug. 14: Zach Bryan at Raymond James Stadium

Aug. 16: Chicago And Earth, Wind & Fire at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug. 20: Train & REO Speedwagon – Summer Road Trip at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug. 23: Dan + Shay: Heartbreak On The Map Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug. 24: Thirty Seconds To Mars – Seasons World Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

September

Sept. 12: Korn at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sept. 14: Luke Bryan: Mind of a Country Boy Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sept. 15: MAXWELL: The Serenade Tour at Amalie Arena

Sept. 20: Creed – Summer of ’99 Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sept. 26: Hootie & the Blowfish – Summer Camp with Trucks Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sept. 26: Melissa Etheridge w/ Jewel at The BayCare Sound