Tampa Bay Buccaneers snag another Bucky Irving, as well as the next Lavonte David in first 2026 NFL mock draft
There are four games left in the regular season, so let’s take a look at what the Bucs’ 2026 draft class could look like in the first mock of the season.
Right now, as it stands, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would pick 19th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft if the season ended today.
If this is where the Bucs end up picking, it’ll be the second year in a row they’ve picked at No. 19 in Round 1 and it’ll be three out of four years as such. Those picks were Calijah Kancey in 2023 and Emeka Egbuka in 2025, so there’s plenty of reason to like this spot if you’re the Bucs.
Regardless, it’s still early, so it’s really hard to peg who will be there at 19. We still have the College Football Playoff to run through, so injuries and good/bad performances will certainly affect how everything shakes out. Plus, there’s the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, the combine, and finally, pro days that will officially mold what eventually becomes the final draft order.
But for now, let’s go ahead and run with what’s slated for the Bucs. The first three rounds are temporarily in place, but I won’t list the actual pick number in Rounds 4-7 due to the compensatory selections that will factor in later and change up the actual number/positioning of slots and teams.
So, with all that being said, let’s dive into the first Bucs mock for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Bucs 2026 mock draft version 1.0
Round 1, No. 19 overall: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State University
Evan Winter: It’d be a surprise to see Lavonte David back in pewter and red next year and SirVocea Dennis simply hasn’t taken a step forward in 2025. Therefore, the Bucs are probably heading into 2026 with a major hole at the second level.
Enter Styles, who has been one of the best linebackers in the country. Like LVD, he can do it all. He’s athletic as hell and is capable of whatever is asked of him in coverage. He can even stick vertically with receivers in the right situations – that’s how fluid and fast he is.
Most importantly, his instincts are where they need to be in order to hit starter-level in the NFL. He’s also an elite tackler, as he’s missed zero tackles across 600 defensive snaps on the year. You read that right – zero.
He’s a bit small, but can certainly bulk up, especially in an NFL strength and conditioning program. In all, Styles is a dream pick at No. 19.
Kyle Crabbs: In a typical NFL Draft, a player like Sonny Styles is probably there for the taking in the 20s. This is not, however, a typical NFL Draft. The top of the offensive line collection is questionable, as is the case for interior defensive lineman. Both have become premium positions in the NFL. The EDGE and cornerback classes have a lot of talent to like, but they aren’t necessarily loaded at the very top with blue chip talents. And let’s not forget what is a shaky quarterback class, too. So that leaves elite, top-prospects at non-premium positions as possible beneficiaries.
Styles fits that billing. If he’s there for Tampa Bay, he’s likely a strong candidate for best player available AND a scheme fit in replacing Lavonte David.
Honorable mention: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Evan: The Bucs will likely move on from Haason Reddick after this year, leaving a hole opposite Yaya Diaby. Bailey is a game-wrecker and while undersized, the Bucs have shown that’s not an issue for them (see: Shaq Barrett, the aforementioned Reddick, and even rookie David Walker).
Kyle: Bailey is among the most disruptive EDGE prospects eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s got great twitch and agility while also showing a sense of how to set up his pass rush moves. But he may be a designated pass rusher early in his career — he appears to be a bit lean and certainly plays that way at times. If the Bucs are comfortable with that role or, alternatively, think he’s got room to grow, consider him an option.
Round 2, No. 52 overall: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State Aztecs
Jamel Dean has played his ass off this year and it’s labeled him as one of 2025’s best corners. However, even with the stellar play, it seems like the Bucs are set to part ways with him after this year. There’s just too much history here and I don’t think a singular, good year keeps him in Tampa Bay.
That, along with the fact Benjamin Morrison already has a lengthy injury history should prompt the Bucs to take another corner on Day 2 of the draft. One can certainly argue that EDGE belongs here, as well, and I won’t counter that. It’s a toss-up for sure.
But when also including Zyon McCollum’s struggles, the cornerback position has a lot more questions surrounding it than the EDGE position does. Especially if the 2025 fourth-rounder in Walker can bounce back from his ACL injury.
Johnson can play zone, man, and off-man coverages effectively and he’s active in the run game. He also has the size Bowles desires at 6-foot, 190 pounds. Most importantly, the ball skills are there, as he recorded career-highs with four interceptions and five pass break-ups in 2025.
Honorable mention: CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State Sun Devils
Round 3, No. 83 overall: EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma Sooners
It may be a little surprising to see Thomas at this point, but my hunch is he’ll fall a bit due to the fact he’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 249 pounds and he doesn’t really have the length to help offset that. That’s not the case for a guy like Tennessee’s Joshua Jospehs, or last year’s Donovan Ezeiruaku, as both players have solid length to help mitigate their lack of size.
Regardless, that fits just perfectly for the Bucs, who are more than happy to take on this kind of player at EDGE, as noted above. Mason Thomas has elite bend/twitch and can be a rotational piece while he gets his feet wet and then we can really see what he’s capable of in 2027.
Honorable mention: DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State Seminoles
Rounds 4-7
Round 4: G Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Quick take: The Bucs need to add to their interior line depth, as Elijah Klein has shown he’s not a capable backup and Dan Feeney and Mike Jordan have struggled. Luke Haggard has shown promise, but the Bucs can’t bet on him, especially without knowing the extent of Cody Mauch’s recovery (and Ben Bredeson’s latest injury). Rutledge would provide an immediate depth boost and could even nab a starting job down the line in a year or two.
Round 5: RB Hollywood Smothers, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Quick take: I don’t think Rachaad White is back in 2026, therefore the Bucs will need someone to help out Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker (D.J. Williams is in play but injuries and the six-game suspension leave his 2026 status up in the air).
Smothers has a lot of similar traits to Irving: He has really good acceleration, great vision, good contact balance, and he’s shifty enough to make guys miss on a regular basis. He’s a reliable receiver and would add another dual-threat element to the Bucs’ backfield.
Round 6: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Quick take: Hunter is a mammoth of a prospect at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds. He’s a true nose tackle-type player who can really help stuff the run on first and second down, but he’s limited in his pass rush abilities. That’s fine, however, as the Bucs still have Vita Vea on the roster. Greg Gaines, Vea’s primary backup, is set to become a free agent after the year and Hunter can fill his role while also providing some youthful vigor that puts his ceiling above Gaines’.
Round 7: WR Noah Thomas, Georgia Bulldogs
Quick take: We’re in Round 7, now, where anything can happen. Mike Evans’ future is currently unknown and if he leaves, the Bucs will be in a spot without a big wideout on the roster in terms of a height/weight combo. None of the wideouts that are currently on the team are taller than 6-foot-1, which is an issue and we’ve seen that in the form of the Bucs’ red zone struggles without Evans. Thomas is raw, but has excellent size at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and can move pretty well, too.
