The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have more than a few needs as the calendar shifts from big free agency deals to draft season. Jason Licht has been relatively quiet so far since the free agency period began, leaving holes that will need to be addressed during this year's draft.
Tampa needs to address defensive problems, but this year's class isn't deep with talent, which makes every pick important. Finding the right players to fit into the scheme or replace departing veterans will be important.
Licht will have seven draft picks to work with this year, provided nothing changes. It's possible they could look to move down should their draft board fall out of their favor. For this mock, we will play it safe and not include potential trades.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers start strong addressing biggest defensive problem
Round 1: Pick 15 - Keldric Faulk - Edge - Auburn
There are many directions Licht can take in round one. After drafting Emeka Embuka in round one last year, the chances of them adding another first-round receiver are slim heading into this draft season. Faulk fills a big need on the defensive side of the ball. The quick pass-rusher will get plenty of opportunities to get on the field and should be a day-one starter for Todd Bowles. It's a smart, if not safe, pick to start the draft.
Round 2 - Pick 46 - Caleb Banks - DT - Florida
Banks have been projected all over the place since the combine. Some see him as a late first while others view him as a mid-second. In most simulations, he tends to hover as a top 46 pick. If he fell to the Buccaneers, he would be worth a quick run to the podium. Banks is strong and has a great punch off the ball. He can line up inside or out, giving the Buccaneers a versatile player who can move all over the defensive front.
Round 3 - Pick 77 - Oscar Delp - TE - Georgia
Brock Bowers has been stellar since entering the NFL, and Delp comes from the same system. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, Delp is a well-rounded tight end prospect who will pair well with Cade Otton. If there is a knock on the young TE, it would be that he isn't elite at either blocking or receiving. He falls just above average in both, but the good news is that he has a higher ceiling and can be developed further.
Round 4 - Pick 116 - Harold Perkins, Jr. - LB - LSU
The Bucs need linebacker help, and Perkins is versatile enough to move around where they need him to play. He recovered well from a 2024 ACL injury and had a solid 2025 season. His biggest drawback is similar to that of Delps; he is good at several linebacker spots, but not elite at a single one. What he does have is solid tracking skills with a fantastic ability to recognize angles in pursuit. His speed helps him get to the quarterback. Perkins isn't considered an immediate three-down starter, but until he gets NFL acclimated, he is a productive two-down backer who can excel in situational play.
Round 5 - Pick 155 - Jalen Farmer - G - Kentucky
Chances are, Licht will address the interior of the offensive line sooner, but this draft class isn't especially deep, leaving many mid-round options with similar skill sets to those in round three. If Tampa doesn't go with a lineman early, round five makes sense. The farmer has started the last two seasons at Kentucky and has done well. He is still developmental and needs to work on hand placement against quicker defenders, but he will challenge for a role early.
Round 6 - Pick 195 - T.J. Hall - CB - Iowa
Tampa needs to refill the coffers, so to speak, in the secondary. Hall isn't elite, but his ceiling remains high. Iowa tends to turn out NFL-ready players, so fans should expect Hall to compete for reps throughout camp to earn his roster spot.
Round 7 - Pick 229 - C.J. Daniels - WR - Miami (Fl.)
Mike Evans is gone and Embuka is still getting acclimated to the league. Receiver isn't an easy job to learn at this level which makes adding help at the position critical. Daniels could have been taken a lot higher, but his college career has gone from Liberty to LSU and then to Miami. He has done well at each stop proving his adaptability. At 6' 2" he adds some more height to the offense.