A look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2023 NFL draft picks
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The 2023 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday.
Here’s a look at the latest players to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster:
Round 1: Calijah Kancey
The Buccaneers selected Pittsburgh defenseman Calijah Kancey as the 19th overall pick in the first round. Kancey was a redshirt in his freshman year with the Pittsburgh Panthers after being selected as a first-team All-Florida pick by Miami Northwestern High School.
“When I get to the next level, I hope I can learn the playbook and play faster [I do]’ said Kancy. “I think if you know the playbook and you know what you have to do, you can play faster – that’s something I’m going to put a lot of work into.”
Round 2: Cody Mauch
The Buccaneers selected North Dakota State University’s Cody Mauch in the second round as their 48th overall pick. Mauch was part of a dominant Bison team that clinched four NCAA national championships and four Missouri Valley Football Conference titles.
“You get a guy who’s going to work hard,” Mauch said, addressing Tampa Bay fans. “I’m going to go out there, do my part, do what I can to help us win in whatever capacity on Sunday. I will do my job and have fun doing it. I’ll try to show that too. I’m gonna have a great time out there. What needs to be done will be done on Sundays.”
Round 3: YaYa Diaby
The Buccaneers selected University of Louisville defensive end YaYa Diaby in the third round as their 82nd overall pick. Diaby started in all 13 games with Louisville last season and finished with 37 total tackles.
“It’s super exciting,” Diaby said of joining the Bucs. “The only interaction I really had with them was at the Senior Bowl or at the Combine where I had a formal meeting with them. Everything went smoothly and went well. I’m just happy to be a privateer.”
Round 4: SirVocea Dennis
The Buccaneers selected another Pittsburgh player, linebacker SirVocea Dennis, as their 153rd overall pick in the fourth round. Dennis started in all 12 games last season and turned pro football
Focus All-American (third team). He was also a Butkus Award semi-finalist.
Round 6: Josh Hayes
The Buccaneers selected Kansas State University defenseman Josh Hayes as their 181st overall pick in the sixth round. The Lakeland native spent the 2022 season at Kansas State, where he started all 13 games. He began his career at NDSU, where he helped secure FCS division and national championship titles. He graduated from Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland.
Round 6: Trey Palmer
The Buccaneers selected University of Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer as the 191st overall pick in the sixth round. Palmer joined the Cornhuskers after three seasons at Louisiana State University. Last season, he appeared in every game for 11 starts and caught 71 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns.
Round 6: Jose Ramírez
The Buccaneers selected Eastern Michigan University defenseman Jose Ramirez in the sixth round as the 196th overall pick. A Lake Alfred native, he attended Auburndale High School where he earned all state honors as a senior and led the team in tackles.