It’s the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, and with all intel gathered and boards filled out, we’re at the point of finding out what all 32 teams will do in just a short 24 hours.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit at pick No. 15 in the first round and hold a total of seven picks, one in each round of the draft, which feels a bit like a rarity nowadays.

What will they do over the next three days? Here are three things that would be shocking, but perhaps can’t be written off for Jason Licht and his staff.

1) Trade up rather than down

So much has been said about the Bucs’ potentially moving back from No. 15 and adding more picks. And that feels like the more logical thing to do sitting smack dab in the middle of the first round and having a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

But…what if they decide to move up instead?

It’s hard to imagine that happening, as the elite talents that fit a more desperate need — edge rusher and inside linebacker — aren’t likely to be in range absent a MAJOR jump, and a hefty price paid. Maybe if LB Sonny Styles started to fall down towards 11 somehow (unlikely), or if Tampa Bay is among those who are comfortable enough with the situation with EDGE Rueben Bain, Jr. and he makes it past the Giants at 10, who perhaps could be looking at someone like WR Jordyn Tyson. Or perhaps if they’re in love with LSU CB Mansoor Delane.

Otherwise, it really doesn’t seem like Tampa Bay is leaping up to make a move. But, it’s the draft, and you never know.

2) Draft a punter

Licht has made it clear he’s not shy about pulling the trigger on a kicker or punter. His infamous 2016 second-round pick of Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo will go down as one of the worst in modern Bucs draft history. 2022 fourth-round pick Jake Camarda ultimately didn’t work out, with him being waived in 2024 after a shaky go of things.

The Bucs’ punting situation hasn’t been great for years now. Last season, Riley Dixon was 31st in the NFL last year in yards per punt (44.7) and 28th in net punting (38.7). He also had two punts blocked. Clearly, there’s room for improvement there, so if there’s someone on Saturday that Licht likes, don’t rule out history repeating itself.

3) Take a wide receiver before Day 3

Last year, the Bucs dropped some jaws when they tabbed Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 overall pick in the draft. At the time, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan on the roster, it was highly questioned by some. As it turns out, with Evans off to San Francisco, it worked out well.

But doing it again? Well, that would be foolish under the circumstances. The Bucs have a strong top three wideouts in Egbuka, Godwin, and McMillan and a solid WR4 in Tez Johnson. They don’t need to address the position before Saturday arrives, if even at all.

But, if a player like Tyson somehow, someway (admittedly very unlikely) falls into their laps at No. 15…well, again, back to that old “it’s the draft, and you never know” phrase from earlier.