Buccaneers 7-Round Mock Draft: Tampa Bay makes blockbuster trade to land a superstar

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office has a tall task ahead of them entering the 2026 NFL Draft. The roster needs to add several impact players to be set up for a deep playoff run, but the team currently holds just seven draft picks.

They'll need to make every pick count, and shouldn't shy away from either trading down to acquire more draft capital or trading up to secure a player they're in love with.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-Round NFL Mock Draft

*Trade down with Philadelphia Eagles*

Eagles Receive: No. 15 overall pick

Bucs receive: No. 23, No. 68, No. 137

The Eagles haven't shied away in recent years from being aggressive via trades to improve their roster. With nine total picks including four selections in the top-100, they are a logical trade partner for Tampa Bay.

ESPN NFL insider Jordan Reid named the Eagles as a team to watch in a trade up for wide receiver Jordyn Tyson if he falls within striking distance. AJ Brown could be traded this offseason, and the Eagles want to have an insurance policy at the position. No. 15 with Tampa Bay is a good trade spot, allowing Philadelphia to jump ahead of the Jets, who have also been linked to wide receiver help.

Round 1, Pick 23: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Mesidor slips down the board due to a combination of injury concerns along with already being 25 years old. The Bucs are ecstatic to stop his draft day slide, especially after moving down and securing more draft capital.

While the concerns are valid, Mesidor is exactly what the Buccaneers need right now. He brings proven production with 52.5 career tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks, and is regarded as a violent, high-motor player who is effective both against the pass and against the run.

Before becoming an edge rusher, he played defensive tackle. At 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, he maintains the versatility to situationally kick back inside. The Bucs defense would get a serious boost by adding his presence.

*Trade up with Seattle Seahawks*

Bucs Receive: No. 32  overall pick

Seahawks Receive: No. 46, No. 116, 2027 fourth-round pick

The Seahawks currently hold just four draft picks, the least of any team heading into the draft. They don’t have any picks in the fourth, fifth, or seventh rounds. 

Tampa Bay might not feel comfortable drafting Jacob Rodriguez with the 15th overall pick, but he won’t be there at No. 46 overall. 

A trade up back into the first round with Seattle is a win-win for both teams. Seattle can add a fourth round draft pick, along with another one next year to move back 14 spots.

The Bucs can not only secure Rodriguez, but get the benefit of a fifth-year option on his rookie contract by selecting him in the first round, rather than the second. They're more inclined to make this move after trading down earlier to add more ammo.

Round 1, Pick 32 (from Seattle): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech 

Before writing this mock draft, I took a piece of paper out of my pocket that read, “Jacob Rodriguez no matter what!”

Rodriguez is one of the safest players in this class due to his instincts and football IQ. He offers many of the same traits that made Lavonte David special throughout his career, and he feels like the best possible successor to the Bucs legend in this draft class. 

Rodriguez has an impressive resume consisting of over 300 combined tackles, 13 forced fumbles, six sacks, and six interceptions. He won’t be available at No. 46, so trading back up into the first round to not only secure him, but add the option of a fifth-year option on his rookie deal was a no-brainer.

Round 3, Pick 68 (from Philadelphia): Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana 

Elijah Sarratt earned the nickname “Waffle House” during his college career, because he’s always open. 

He has the size — 6-foot-2, 210 pounds — and physical play style to replace Mike Evans in the X receiver role and as Tampa Bay’s primary red zone threat, leading all receivers in this draft class with 44 career touchdown receptions. 

In NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft analysis, his notes on Sarratt should have the Bucs foaming at the mouth: “Comfortable making contested grabs at every level of the field. Money on money downs (76 percent of his catches went for either a first down or touchdown). Voted a team captain and well-respected by everyone.”

Round 3, Pick 77: Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State

The Buccaneers need to start preparing for the not-so-distant future at the defensive tackle position. Vita Vea is 31 years old and entering a contract year, while Calijah Kancey has yet to play a full healthy season. 

The team signed A’Shawn Robinson and brought back a familiar face in Rakeem Nunez-Roches, but both are over 30 and on just one year deals. 

Jackson is a massive 6-foot-5, 315 pounds with a ridiculous 7-foot-2 wingspan. His standout traits are his strength and power, which he uses to be a force as a run defender. 

“With his massive features and arms that dangle to his knees, Jackson looks like a comic-book character,” wrote Brugler. “…he has larger-than-life traits to do the dirty work at nose and occasionally pressure the quarterback. He plays big in a big-man’s game — and there is always room for that type of player in the NFL.”

Round 4, Pick 137: Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State

Justin Joly is considered one of the best receiving tight ends in the draft, and could be a perfect complement to Cade Otton in Zac Robinson’s two tight end sets.

He recorded 166 receptions for 1,978 yards and 15 touchdowns during his college career. He dropped just 2% of his targets in 2025, demonstrating his sure hands.

Tampa Bay has already shown real interest in Joly, bringing him in for a Top-30 visit, and he’d give Tampa Bay’s thin tight end room the viable receiving threat they’re missing. 

Round 5, Pick 155: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

Prysock has appealing physical traits that a competent coaching staff can develop into a starting outside cornerback in the NFL. He measured in at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds along with 33-inch arms and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash. 

Prysock notched 20 passes defensed and a pair of interceptions during his college career. He’s also a capable and willing run defender, a sure tackler, and contributed on special teams throughout his entire college career. 

“Prysock has rare physical traits that are hard to find at the position, although he is still learning how to maximize those tools in coverage. He will appeal to both press-heavy and zone-based schemes as a developmental dart throw,” wrote Brugler.

Round 6, Pick 195: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

The Buccaneers need some secondary depth after do-it-all depth piece Christian Izien left in free agency.

They also need some size at the safety position. While Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are one of the league’s best safety duos, Winfield is only 5-foot-9 while Smith is 5-foot-10. VJ Payne is a massive 6-foot-3, yet his 4.40 40-yard dash timed faster than both Winfield (4.45) and Smith (4.46).

Payne offers the versatility the Buccaneers value and can be used in a variety of roles in the defensive backfield. “A starter for three-and-a-half years at Kansas State, Payne played free safety, strong safety and big nickel…” wrote Brugler. 

One bonus nugget is that Payne will bring immediate chemistry to Tampa Bay with last year’s standout rookie Jacob Parrish, as the two were close friends and college roommates at KSU.   

Round 7, Pick 229: Micah Morris, IOL, Georgia

Micah Morris in an athletic anomaly, scoring as a 99th-percentile athlete at the guard position. 

But games aren’t won in the weight room, they’re won on the field, and Morris admittedly has a lot of questions. 

“Morris has his limitations, especially because of his upright posture, but is at his best when allowed to play to his strengths in a gap scheme (mauler in run game, patient in pass pro). NFL teams are split on his upside. Is he scratching the surface or is this just who he is?” wrote Brugler.

He’s certainly a developmental prospect, but with the full starting offensive line already penciled in, the Bucs can afford to take a flier. Morris has the strength and athletic traits to be developed into a serviceable NFL player under the right coaching staff, and the Bucs have been stellar in developing offensive linemen.