The NFL Combine is this week, so naturally, it feels like a good time to get a new Tampa Bay Buccaneers mock draft in before all the upcoming drills and workouts change the landscape..

Version 1.0 was published back in December when the Buccaneers were still in the playoff race and held the 19th overall pick in the first round. The situation has obviously changed since then: The Bucs failed to make the playoffs and now own the No. 15 pick.

Things will change, again, in terms of prospects’ stock and whatnot after this week, so we’ll be sure to have another go once all the new information is available. The pick selections after Round 3 will likely look differently due to compensatory picks, as well.

But until then, let’s dive in see what the Bucs do in a full, seven round mock draft before the combine runs its course.

Buccaneers 2026 mock draft version 2.0

Round 1, No. 15 overall: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell

The closer and closer we get to the draft, it appears less and less likely Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles will be here. Therefore, the EDGE position becomes the Bucs’ top priority due to the confluence of both “best player available” and “biggest need” principles.

Howell is the bendy, quick-natured pass rusher the Buccaneers hoped to have when they signed Haason Reddick, last year. He possesses a rare combination of lower-body flexibility and elite burst that allows him to turn the corner on offensive tackles with exceptional quickness. Per Pro Football Focus, Howell finished 2025 with a respectable 13.7% pressure rate and recorded the sixth-most sacks (11.5) in the FBS. It was the epitome of a breakout season after he finished with a 15% pressure rate and 4.0 sacks as a rotational player in 2024.

Howell’s the perfect complement to Yaya Diaby. Together, they would offer a versatile one-two punch that would force offensive coordinators to prepare for two fundamentally different types of edge threats, as Diaby uses more speed-to-power and bull-rushing techniques and Howell wins with finesse, speed, and leverage.

Howell needs to improve his run defense and his ability to set the edge, which could render him as more of a pass rush specialist early-on, but that can be coached up to where he becomes an every-down player.

Honorable mentions: Georgia Bulldogs LB C.J. Allen, Oklahoma Sooners EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq

Round 2, No. 46 overall: Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr.

Considering the Buccaneers currently need immediate-impact players at linebacker, I’m inclined to think they address the issue through free agency more than they do the draft. Regardless, Lavonte David has yet to decide if he wants to play in 2026 and the Buccaneers still need to add at least one young player into the mix.

Said youngster needs to be foundational piece at the position, as well, and Hill Jr. can certainly be that guy. He is more than capable of stopping the run and blitzing thanks to his length and ideal size at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds.

His coverage abilities, while can be improved, are currently good enough to where he can step in during passing plays, at times. Hill Jr. is the perfect middle-of-the-road rookie that can play substantial snaps and provide an anchor for the future.

Honorable mentions: Alabama Crimson Tide LB Deontae Lawson, Missouri Tigers DL Zion Young, Ohio State Buckeyes TE Max Klare

Round 3, No. 77 overall: Arizona State Sun Devils CB Keith Abney II

Abney is a little smaller than your standard Todd Bowles cornerback at 6-foot, 190 pounds, but he plays much bigger and is scheme-versatile enough to where he’d be an impactful depth player in Year 1 with a chance to compete for a starting job in a year or two.

My hunch is Jamel Dean signs with another team in free agency, potentially leaving the Buccaneers Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, and Jacob Parrish as their top-3 corners. I’m sorry, but if you feel comfortable with that group going into the season then I think you need to redefine what “comfortable” means to you.

Abney can play both zone and man coverage and he understands Cover 3 principles, which is the Bucs’ coverage staple. He’s elite at matching routes, physical at the point of the catch, and provides inside-outside flexibility to where he can step in at any moment when needed.

Honorable mentions: Georgia Bulldogs CB Daylin Everette, Texas A&M Aggies CB Will Lee III

Round 4, No. 116 overall: Texas A&M Aggies TE Nate Boerkircher

The Buccaneers are really wanting to add an explosive element at the tight end position and Devin Culp didn’t take the step forward many thought he would in 2025.

Therefore, they take Boerkircher at No. 116 in this year’s draft. While Boerkircher immediately stands out as a physical blocker before pass-catcher, his tape reflects sneaky, yet very promising, traits.

He understands/recognizes defensive leverage well and has displayed the ability to incorporate a diverse route stem over the course of his development. His 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame will quickly allow him to win over the middle of the field, as well.

Boerkircher is definitely a developmental prospect, but the recipe is there for the Buccaneers to come away with Day 3 impact player.

Honorable mentions: Virginia Tech Hokies RB Terion Stewart, Georgia Tech Yellowjackets iOL Keylan Rutledge

Round 5, No. 153 overall: Indiana Hoosiers RB Roman Hemby

The Buccaneers get new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson a true zone-runner in Hemby, who is the ideal one-cut runner that knows not only how to get to the edge of a defense, but how to shred it, as well.

With Rachaad White all but out the door and Sean Tucker’s future up in the air, the Bucs may need a guy like Hemby who can help come in and take the load off Bucky Irving from time to time. Tyler Allgeier is a option in free agency, but he’ll likely want to play for a team where he’s the lead back.

Regardless, Hemby’s proficiency with zone runs is reason enough to draft him and like Boerkircher, he could easily find himself making some big plays in Year 1.

Honorable mentions: Alabama Crimson Tide LB Justin Jefferson

Round 6, No. 194 overall: Texas Longhorns G D.J. Campbell

The Bucs dip into the state of Texas for the fourth time in this draft after taking Campbell in the sixth round.

Campbell produced his best collegiate season in 2025, giving up just one sack and 18 pressures on the year. He did struggle a lot with penalties, however, after getting flagged 10 times. Regardless, he has the size and movement skills to be a valuable depth piece and the Bucs need help when it comes to the depth along the inside of their offensive line.

Honorable mentions: Notre Dame Fighting Irish OT Aamil Wagner, TCU Horned Frogs WR Eric McAlister

Round 7, No. 230 overall: Oklahoma Sooners LB/S Kendal Daniels

The sixth and seventh rounds in the draft are all about betting on traits, more than anything, and Daniels has a very intriguing skill set that could allow the Buccaneers to dip into the hybrid linebacker/safety pool, if they choose to do so.

Now, we aren’t talking Nick Emmanwori-levels of play, here, as Daniels is nowhere near the athlete Emmanwori is. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t find a role on special teams as he develops his skills for the NFL level.

Daniels can play the box, he can cover tight ends, and he can even play deep on the rare occasion. He’s also very intelligent, as he had to learn multiple positions in Brett Venables’ defense – which isn’t an easy defense to learn in its own right.

As with any seventh-rounder, it’s a coin toss with Daniels. But it’s a bet totally worth making and it could give the Bucs a nice, unexpected boost on defense and special teams.

Honorable mentions: Tennessee Vols DT Bryson Eason, Wyoming Cowboys iOL Caden Barnett

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