🏈 Buccaneers NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & More
With Mike Evans now in San Francisco and Lavonte David retired, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning the page on two franchise cornerstones and holding the No. 15 pick to begin restocking a roster that desperately needs more juice off the edge and a new identity on defense under Todd Bowles.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Buccaneers' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Tampa Bay will draft in the first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Buccaneers draft picks 2026
See where the Buccaneers rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 15 |
| 2 | No. 46 |
| 3 | No. 77 |
| 4 | No. 116 |
| 5 | No. 155 |
| 6 | No. 195 |
| 7 | No. 229 |
🆘 Buccaneers team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: DL, EDGE, CB, LB, OL
- Key additions: Alex Anzalone (LB), A'Shawn Robinson (DL), Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), Jake Browning (QB)
- Key departures: Mike Evans (WR, 49ers), Lavonte David (LB, retiring), Rachaad White (RB, Commanders), Haason Reddick (EDGE), Jamel Dean (CB, Steelers), Logan Hall (DL, Texans)
The Bucs have struggled to generate consistent pressure without sending extra rushers for years, and losing Reddick only makes that worse. Muhammad is a short-term rotational solution, but Tampa Bay needs a legitimate edge presence to transform Bowles' defense. Anzalone helps replace David at linebacker, though filling the shoes of a franchise legend is a tall order. Losing Evans leaves Chris Godwin and the newly re-signed Cade Otton as Baker Mayfield's top targets, creating a need for a young playmaker in the passing game.
🏈 Buccaneers draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Buccaneers' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick for Thursday:
| Pick type | No. 15 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn | 7.25 | One of the most polarizing players in the draft, Faulk has the size and athleticism that GM Jason Licht covets, with his versatility to play all over the defensive line and the length and heavy hands to eventually become an every-down impact player |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson | 7.10 | If Tampa Bay wants a more proven pass-rush producer, Parker's power and motor make him a safer bet to contribute right away, and his ability to play on early downs as a run defender adds to his value |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon | 7.20 | With Mike Evans gone, the Buccaneers could look to add a dynamic pass-catching weapon, and Sadiq's explosiveness (4.39 40, 43 1/2" vertical) and willingness to block make him a mismatch tight end who can thrive alongside Cade Otton |
More scouting reports & player profiles
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➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Buccaneers mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Buccaneers' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Here's who they expect Tampa Bay to draft at No. 15:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon |
| Charles McDonald (Yahoo) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami |
The front seven is the clear priority for Tampa Bay, with four of six mocks projecting a defensive lineman or edge rusher as the pick. Auburn's Keldric Faulk appears twice and is Paul's dream pick, too. Two others project Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq as an Evans replacement, while Kiper has LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane falling to No. 15. Paul's mock has the Bucs trading up to get their guy.
🔮 Buccaneers draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 13 (traded up from No. 15): Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
- Pro comparison: Rashan Gary
- Measurables: 6'6" | 276 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.11
After being jumped by the Jets, the Rams find a trade partner in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who look to move up past the Baltimore Ravens to land a defensive lineman full of potential. Keldric Faulk has the size and athleticism that Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht covets. Although he lacked production (10 sacks in three seasons), Faulk's versatility (played all over Auburn's D-line), heavy hands, power, and length should help him reach his potential and become an every-down impact player.
Trade specifics: Buccaneers trade picks No. 15 (Round 1) and No. 155 (Round 5) to Rams for pick No. 13 (Round 1).
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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