Latest draft intel suggests the Buccaneers will have a shot at shaking up the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
It’s looking more and more like trading back in the first round of the draft is the best-case scenario for the Bucs. The latest news involving former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could help make that happen.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an intriguing position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft where the idea of trading back from No. 15 is making more and more sense.
Mostly because the right guys might not be available when it’s the Bucs’ turn to pick. For instance, Tampa Bay’s biggest need is EDGE and if it’s a choice between Akheem Mesidor or Cashius Howell, Jason Licht would fare better trading back a few spots, as it would be considered a bit of an overpay to take either guy at 15. The same goes for linebacker C.J. Allen and other players at different positions.
Well, the Buccaneers might be able to find a dance partner thanks to the latest news involving former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.
Ty Simpson is expected to go in Round 1 of the draft, but how high, exactly?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter went on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday and said he can confidently say Simpson will go in the first round of this year’s draft.
That left the door open as to just how high will he go? If a quarterback is in the realm of going in the teens or early 20s, that would totally give the Buccaneers a pathway toward trading back. Teams usually aren’t too crazy about trading up in the 20s/middle of Round 1, but that changes if there’s a viable QB option.
At the same time, it wouldn’t make a ton of sense for the Bucs to trade back too far, as they could miss out on a Mesidor, Howell, or Allen in the process.
The news gets even better for the Buccaneers, as our own Easton Freeze says multiple people he’s spoken with inside the league believe Simpson will go in the top-20 of the draft.
Pittsburgh at No. 21 would make a ton of sense for the Buccaneers. Licht could snag the 21st overall pick and likely get the No. 76 overall pick (third-rounder) and 121st overall pick (fourth-rounder) in return. That would give the Bucs back-to-back picks in Round 3 (76 &77), as well as two fourth-rounders in pick Nos. 116 and 121.
Having picks that close to each other would be an added bonus, as Tampa Bay wouldn’t have to worry as much about losing out on whoever their top guys are, at the time. It also creates a potential scenario where Licht could really move up in Round 2, if he wanted to.
Either way, the Simpson news is music to the Buccaneers’ ears and could unlock what’s looking more and more like the best-case scenario in Round 1.
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