Bucs Select Kentucky Defensive Tackle in Latest NFL Mock Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense could use some help getting to the quarterback, and they could get that help in the 2025 NFL Draft.

In a recent mock draft by NFL Spin Zone , they have the Buccaneers drafting University of Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker in next year's draft to put next to Vita Vea on the line.

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have one of the freakiest big men in the NFL in Vita Vea, who has an unreal combination of size and athletic traits. Why not add another to the mix with Kentucky’s Deone Walker?" Sayre Bedinger writes. "He made more plays behind the line of scrimmage last year than you typically see from guys his size and could form an elite trio with Vea and Calijah Kancey in Tampa Bay."

The team parted ways with veteran linebacker Shaquil Barrett, so they could draft someone else to get to the quarterback now that he is gone.

Related: Can Bucs DT Calijah Kancey Break Out This Season?

Walker finished his sophomore season at UK with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 total tackles for loss. His 6-6, 350-pound frame makes him a very imposing threat rushing the quarterback, and pairing that with Vea could be a scary duo.

If the Buccaneers decide they want to take some defensive line help in the 2025 NFL Draft, then Walker could be a very intriguing option.