🏈 Buccaneers NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & 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 tonight 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 tonight:
| 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 |
NFL draft prospect profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ David Bailey draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Rueben Bain Jr. draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Sonny Styles draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Makai Lemon draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Buccaneers mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Tampa to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 15) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (No. 15) |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (No. 23) |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 15) |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 23) |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (No. 15) |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State (No. 15) |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 23) |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (No. 15) |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn (No. 15) |
🎯 Buccaneers first position drafted
Prediction market via Kalshi. You can use our Kalshi promo code for a $10 bonus by signing up today. Market subject to change.
Tampa Bay lost Mike Evans in free agency and Lavonte David to retirement, leaving holes at both receiver and in the front seven. Yet the Bucs need more juice off the edge after struggling to generate consistent pressure without sending extra rushers for years, and that's where the market expects this team to go tonight at pick 15.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 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. 15: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
- Pro comparison: Rashan Gary
- Measurables: 6'6" | 276 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.11
Few GMs are more addicted to selecting freakishly large and explosive defensive linemen early than Jason Licht. And with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in need of help in the front seven, I can't imagine Licht passing on Keldric Faulk. For as raw as Faulk is, he's dripping with potential. He's a heavy-handed pass rusher who played all over Auburn's D-line (from 9-tech to nose tackle), and he can be an impact run defender for Todd Bowles as a rookie.
🏈 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
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
