The time is almost here.
After so much speculation, the realization of the 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner. The Bucs, along with the rest of the NFL, will officially be on the clock in just two weeks. Even after months of wondering, nothing hits quite like the surprises that will soon be in store.
So, what will it all mean for Tampa Bay?
That remains to be seen, although addressing the defense is once again viewed as the need that trumps everything else. General manager Jason Licht has added plenty of capable veteran players to the unit this offseason. Still, head coach Todd Bowles could use additional help to set them up for success this coming season.
Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Among the biggest positions that need more talent, outside linebacker and inside linebacker are at the top of the board.
While the Bucs have Yaya Diaby leading the edge rusher room, finding a long-term running mate to pair with him makes a lot of sense from a team-building standpoint. While Al-Quadin Muhammad was signed this offseason on an affordable one-year deal and David Walker is returning from injury, the team has the chance to add some juice at a position that has long needed it.
The same could be said for the other linebacker position.
After Lavonte David long roamed the middle of the defense, he retired last month after a 14-year career that should eventually see him be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. One starting spot will be given to Alex Anzalone, who signed a two-year, $17 million deal in free agency. While Anzalone is a solid option for the short-term, who will be the next great linebacker donning red and pewter? An answer to that question could come as a soon as the first round, although it is considered a deep class at the position.
Now, there could always be wild cards that work into the equation, too. Two positions of need flying under the radar include left guard and cornerback, while a team can also never have enough quality defensive linemen. Some teams are heading into the draft with a player they have homed in on, but for the Bucs, all options are on the table.
It should make for an exciting night, but which names are garnering the latest buzz?
Here is what the latest wave of mock drafts has to say about what direction Tampa Bay could go in the 2026 NFL Draft. Be sure to follow PewterReport.com for the next couple of weeks as we will be previewing each position of this year’s class, offering our Bucs Best Bets and the best Bucs draft coverage you will find.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
Faulk is a monster at 6-6 and 288 pounds, and he displayed an incredible ability to blow past offensive tackles in the SEC over the past two seasons. He posted 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 45 total tackles for the Tigers in his true sophomore season in 2024.
Despite less production in 2025, he’d be the perfect player to add to a Tampa Bay defensive line that already features extremely athletic defensive linemen like Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy – Photo by: IMAGN Images
McCoy might be one of the most talented players in the draft class, but he didn’t play last season while recovering from a torn ACL. At only 20 years old, he’s one of the younger players in the draft. His film from 2024 showed a player who can be a top-flight NFL cornerback with gobs of potential as a press-man corner.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The Bucs haven’t had a player hit the eight-sack mark since Shaq Barrett registered 10 in 2021. Mesidor is an absolute force to be reckoned with off the edge and should provide a big time pass-rush presence in Tampa.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
This feels like a defensive pick for Tampa Bay. I could see linebacker CJ Allen here, but the pass rush needs help. Howell has historically short arms (30¼ inches), but he’s one of the best finishers in the class. His bend and ability to flatten are among the best at the position and should help a Bucs team that finished third in pressure rate but 23rd in sack rate last season.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
McCoy had an outstanding 2024 but missed all of 2025 with a knee injury. But he is a legit No. 1 corner when he’s healthy. McCoy has a 77-inch wingspan and is viewed as one of the top two CBs in this class, alongside Delane. By the end of last season, Tampa Bay was relying on some very inexperienced players at the position, and it did not add anyone in free agency to replace Jamel Dean.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia LB CJ Allen
Georgia ILB CJ Allen – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Cory Perrine
Buccaneer legend Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons. And while they signed Alex Anzalone, SirVocea Dennis had a disappointing year. He’s 6’1″ 235 lbs. I could see how Jason Licht and the Bucs Front Office see a lot of similarities with David and CJ Allen. So he seems like a good match at #15.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
They have to get more pressure on the quarterback. He is an older player at 25, but that shouldn’t matter to a team that needs help now.
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The Buccaneers’ pass rush team already got one boost with free agent Al-Quadin Muhammad. But tacking Mesidor on to this unit still makes a ton of sense. And the Bucs’ young rushers haven’t done enough to deter Jason Licht from making a splash pick for the room.
No. 46 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia LB CJ Allen
No. 77 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia Tech OG Keylan Rutledge
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Sam Navarro
Mesidor stays in state to fill a pass-rushing void for the Bucs. His age (he will be 25 when the season begins) shouldn’t concern general manager Jason Licht, because Tampa needs polished players to contend for a Super Bowl in 2026.
No. 46 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
No. 77 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun
No. 116 – Tampa Bay Bucs: USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane
No. 155 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Southeastern Louisiana DT Kaleb Proctor
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The Bucs are still in need of pass rushers off the edge, and Mesidor is a high-effort pressure generator who can step into the rotation right away.
No. 46 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.
The retirement of Lavonte David was expected but still leaves a hole. Hill is an ideal weakside prospect who can produce in the pass rush and pass coverage.
No. 77 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia TE Oscar Delp
The Cade Otton re-signing shouldn’t keep Tampa Bay from looking at this tight end class. Delp — my No. 2 tight end — is a big target at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, and he is solid after the catch.