2025 NFL mock draft: Bucs make polarizing 1st-round pick

If you’re a fan of way-too-early projections for the NFL draft, you’re in luck, because ESPN’s Matt Miller has a fresh first-round mock draft for 2025 that just hit the digital newsstands.

Miller has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picking at No. 12 overall, and using that selection on LSU’s Harold Perkins, one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in next year’s draft class.

Perkins has been shuffled between edge defender and off-ball linebacker throughout his time in Baton Rouge so far, and we’re still no closer to finding out where his best position fit might be for the next level.

Here’s what Miller had to say about the pick:

Perkins was misused at linebacker last season, but he will move back to edge rusher in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme this year. And we could see him use his great speed to eclipse his 13 career sacks this season alone. That might entice the Buccaneers, who are looking for a defensive end to break out and emerge as a true threat to opposing offenses. Veteran Shaquil Barrett is gone in free agency, and Tampa Bay’s 27.3% pressure rate ranked 24th in the league last season, so adding to this group could be a frontline need come next offseason.

Perkins’ overall skill set might be more effective as an edge rusher in the college ranks, but he’s currently listed at 6-1 and 220 pounds, which is already light for an off-ball linebacker, let alone an NFL edge player.

Unless Perkins is able to bulk up and still retain his explosiveness, he could have a hard time finding the right spot at the next level that would warrant first-round consideration.

To check out Miller’s full first-round mock for the 2025 NFL draft, click here.