Buccaneers keeping close eye – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be drafting 19th overall, but they’ve got their sights set higher—literally. According to insider Mike Garafolo, Tampa Bay is among several teams keeping a close eye on Georgia Bulldogs edge rusher Mykel Williams, a consensus first-round talent who could be the missing piece for a defense desperate to reclaim its bite.
Fresh off a 2024 season that ended in the Wild Card round, the Bucs have been aggressive this offseason, addressing some of their most glaring needs. But despite solid moves in free agency—like the one-year deal for veteran pass rusher Haason Reddick—the edge position remains a focal point, and Williams might just be the long-term answer Tampa Bay is hunting for.
A Struggle to Get Home
Let’s call it what it was—the Bucs struggled mightily to generate consistent pressure off the edge in 2024. While interior forces like Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey led the team in sacks, Tampa Bay’s edge rush left much to be desired. Yaya Diaby was a bright spot, flashing serious promise in his second year, but on the opposite side, former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka continued to underwhelm before parting ways with the team in free agency.
With depth and youth concerns at the position, and uncertainty surrounding how much gas Reddick has left in the tank, the Bucs have made it clear—they’re not just plugging holes; they’re investing in the future.
Buccaneers keeping close eye – Enter Mykel Williams: A Game-Changer in Waiting
Standing 6’5″, weighing in at 260 pounds, and blessed with a rare blend of size, explosiveness, and technical upside, Mykel Williams checks nearly every box you could want in an NFL edge defender. He’s powerful at the point of attack, quick off the snap, and relentless in pursuit. In other words—he’s everything Tampa Bay needs right now.
During his time at Georgia, Williams built a reputation as a backfield wrecker. As a freshman during the Bulldogs’ 2022 National Championship season, he was named a Freshman All-American, leading the team with 4.5 sacks. Over the next two seasons, he continued to develop, rounding out his collegiate resume with 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass breakup in 2024—enough to earn him Second-Team All-SEC honors.
He’s not just productive—he’s disruptive.
High Ceiling, Manageable Risks
There’s a reason Williams is seen as a consensus first-rounder. His natural gifts—long arms, strong hands, quick feet—give him an edge (pun intended) in both pass rushing and run defense. He’s not just a one-trick pony off the edge; he’s capable of setting the edge and forcing plays inside, something Tampa Bay’s defense lacked on a consistent basis last season.
That said, Williams isn’t without areas to improve. He still needs to fill out his frame, particularly in his lower body, and he can sometimes get upright when engaged, which affects his balance and ability to shed blocks. But with elite traits and a non-stop motor, the development curve doesn’t scare off a team like the Buccaneers, especially when you consider how they approached Chris Braswell’s rookie campaign in 2024—another talented edge prospect who had limited snaps but flashed major potential.
Buccaneers keeping close eye – The Draft Dilemma: Will He Be There at 19?
Here’s the real kicker: despite hosting Williams for a pre-draft visit, the Bucs may not even get the chance to draft him. All the teams Williams has met with so far pick ahead of Tampa Bay in the first round, meaning his stock is clearly rising—and fast. In a draft class that’s loaded with pass-rushing talent, Williams stands out as one of the few with both production and projection on his side.
Still, stranger things have happened on draft night. Players fall. Boards shift. If Tampa Bay is truly sold on Williams as the future cornerstone of their defense, don’t rule out a potential trade-up scenario. GM Jason Licht has never been shy about moving up the board when he sees a guy who can make a difference.
Final Thoughts: The Future Off the Edge
The Buccaneers have done well to remain competitive in a post-Brady world, but if they want to take the next step in the NFC, they’ll need to do more than just stay afloat—they’ll need to dominate on defense the way they did during their Super Bowl run. That starts with winning in the trenches and wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Mykel Williams isn’t just another draft prospect. He’s a potential franchise cornerstone—an athletic freak molded in the SEC’s fire, ready to terrorize offenses at the next level. If he’s on the board at 19, Tampa Bay would be foolish to pass. If he’s not? Don’t be surprised if they make a bold move to go get him.
Because great teams don’t just hope for a sack—they build around the guy who delivers it.
