Buccaneers are about to uncover multiple draft steals at NFL Combine

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a critical offseason. The team has glaring weaknesses, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Todd Bowles is firmly on the hot seat and there is serious pressure for the team to perform after a disappointing 8-9 season in 2025.

If the Buccaneers are going to set themselves up for success in 2026 and beyond, they'll need to improve the roster with a strong draft class. The NFL Combine takes place this week, signaling the official start of the draft process. Tampa Bay will be paying close attention to a few particular prospects that have a chance to make a case for themselves as future Buccaneers with strong Combine performances.

4 players to watch for Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Howell is one of the most dangerous pass rushers in this draft class and has been frequently mocked to Tampa Bay. He finished his college career with 27 sacks, including 11.5 in 2025, and his tape shows elite burst, bend, and closing speed off the edge.

The concern is purely surrounding his physical profile. Howell is considered slightly undersized at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, and his arm length is expected to come in under 31 inches, which would make him an extreme outlier for successful NFL edge rushers. Teams will scrutinize his measurements more than almost any prospect in this class.

That’s why the Combine is critical. If Howell can test well and confirm at least functional length, he could solidify himself as a mid–first-round pick. If not, teams may hesitate to invest premium capital despite his elite pass-rush traits.

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

A strong Combine performance for Styles could be the final nail in the coffin that prevents him from falling to Tampa Bay at 15th overall. 

Styles boasts exceptional size at 6-foot-5, 243 pounds. He also boasts elite speed, reliable tackling, and top tier coverage skills as a former safety.

Styles checks all the boxes as the dream Buccaneers’ pick in the first round to upgrade the linebacker room — the only question is if he’ll still be on the board. All eyes will be on Styles during the NFL Combine, and Bucs brass are likely selfishly hoping he doesn’t perform too well and put himself out of range for Tampa Bay. 

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Rodriguez’s tape leaves little doubt about his NFL potential, but for some, his athletic profile does.

While incredibly productive, some scouts question whether his speed will translate to the next level. He’s projected to run in the 4.6–4.7 range in the 40-yard dash, noticeably slower than recent linebacker prospects like Jihaad Campbell and Demetrius Knight Jr.

That said, Rodriguez is a proven playmaker. He totaled 300+ tackles, 6 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and 6 interceptions during his college career. His instincts and physicality helped him overcome athletic limitations in college, but the margin for error shrinks in the NFL.

He’s currently projected as a Day 2 pick in rounds 2 or 3, but a strong combine could see his draft stock soar. He’d be a seamless fit for the Buccaneers defense, and they’ll be keeping a close eye on him and the other top linebacker prospects at the Combine.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq might feel like a luxury pick in the first round with all of the pressing defensive needs the Bucs have. But with Cade Otton leaving in free agency becoming a real possibility and the team’s serious lack of depth behind him, Tampa Bay could be forced to make a significant investment in the tight end position. 

Sadiq is the type of prospect the Combine was made for as an athletic freak that is sure to dominate athletic testing. He earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Athletic Freak list, which recognizes the strongest, fastest, most physical players in college football. 

"Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq is entering the 2026 NFL draft. He's a matchup nightmare. Was No. 11 on the Freaks List. Rare athlete. At 6-3, 255 last summer, he vertical jumped 41.5 inches; power cleaned 365 pounds and benched 435."

Bruce Feldman

Sadiq isn’t just a workout warrior though, he offers elite receiving ability for the tight end position and is also a strong blocker. Last season, he caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Oregon Ducks. 

He’s far and away the best tight end prospect in a relatively weak draft class for the position. If he performs the way he’s expected to at the Combine, the Bucs could be awfully tempted to draft him at No. 15 overall if they lose Otton in free agency.