2026 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers find pass rush help, and a Lavonte David replacement

For the third straight season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen into a miserable midseason slump. Whether they can pull themselves out in time to make the playoffs again is yet to be seen, but it certainly feels like changes are on the horizon.

One area that will help naturally turn things over — and help Tampa Bay usher in a new era — is the NFL Draft.

Over the course of the skid in which the Bucs have lost 5 of 6 games, the team's weaknesses have been on full display, and it is clear that the front office will have some serious needs to address this offseason before they can be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

The 2026 NFL Draft class is full of intriguing young talent, and Jason Licht and his staff will have a golden opportunity to give the roster a much-needed overhaul at several key positions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Bucs badly need an upgrade at the tight end position. Cade Otton is entering free agency this offseason, and his inconsistent play could make it difficult for the front office to pay him market value. Behind Otton on the depth chart, Payne Durham has just one reception this season and Devin Culp has zero receptions.

Ko Kieft is a solid depth piece and serves as a reliable blocker in the run game, but he suffered a season-ending injury back in Week 3. The entire tight end room needs an overhaul to improve one of the team's weakest position groups and provide another weapon for Baker Mayfield.

Enter: Kenyon Sadiq

Sadiq is an athletic freak at the tight end position, giving Tampa Bay the kind of versatile chess piece it currently lacks in their offense. At 6’3’’, 245 pounds, he brings high-end speed and explosiveness that’s rare for the position and can be used to create matchup nightmares.

While he shines most as a receiver, catching 40 passes for 490 yards and 8 touchdowns this season, he is also a willing blocker, and his skillset comes together to form the best tight end prospect in this draft class.

Round 2: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Tampa Bay hasn't been shy in investing premium draft capital into edge rushers. The organization spent a first-round draft choice on Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in 2021, a third-round draft choice on YaYa Diaby in 2023, and a second-round draft choice into Chris Braswell in 2024.

Last offseason, in another attempt to upgrade their pass rush, they spent $14 million to sign Haason Reddick in free agency, and drafted David Walker in the fourth round. But Reddick has missed a handful of games due to injuries and has notched a pedestrian 1.5 sacks this season, and Walker suffered a season-ending injury in the offseason before he could even step on the field.

Drafting edge rushers has proved to be Licht's blind spot, and the one position he just can't seem to figure out. The defense hasn't had a dominant presence off the edge since 2021 when they had the dynamic duo of Shaq Barrett and Jason Peirre-Paul. Sooner or later, Licht will finally nail a draft pick at the position, and Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton could be the prospect to make it happen.

Dennis-Sutton recorded 6.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles during the 2025 season. In his four-season college career, the 6'5'', 265-pound edge rusher has notched 21.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and even snagged 2 interceptions. He has proven production while playing against premier talent in the Big Ten conference and could prove to be the dominant presence off the edge that Tampa Bay has spent years searching for.

Round 3: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Rodriguez feels like a player who was born to wear red and pewter. Tampa Bay has a significant need at inside linebacker and will be searching for Lavonte David’s eventual successor this offseason. Rodriguez has the potential to develop into the leader of the Bucs' defense for years to come.

Rodriguez checks every box that would make the Buccaneers’ front office fall in love with him during the draft process. He’s a proven leader, serving as a team captain at Texas Tech in back-to-back seasons. He is a high-effort player with a natural nose for the football, constantly delivering splash plays.

He was the best defensve player in college football this season, sweeping the awards categories including Big 12 Defensive Playerof the Year, the Dick Butkus Award, te Bronco Nagurski Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Chuck Bednarik Award.

He finished the season with 114 tackles, one sack, a staggering seven forced fumbles, and four interceptions. His massive impact for the Red Raiders even generated some Heisman buzz, which is rare for a defensive player.

Across his college career, Rodriguez has totaled 301 tackles, six sacks, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. Tampa Bay could use a player with that kind of turnover-creating pedigree, and few prospects in this class have demonstrated the playmaking gene quite like Rodriguez.