The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been spending more time studying the tight end market this offseason despite Cade Otton returning. Despite the needs on defense, could the Bucs draft on the offensive side of the ball first?
When Lavonte David retired, it left a hole on defense. Tampa already had needs for an edge-rusing linebacker, they could also use corner help as well. So why are they looking at tight end, and is it a realistic option for Jason Licht? According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, it absolutely is.
Reid wrote in his latest collaborative piece on the network's digital site that Oregon's Kenyan Sadiq could be a real option for them at 15.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to be linked to start draft prospect Kenyon Sadiq
There is a good chance the tight end will fall to the team at 15, given the needs of the teams ahead of them. What Licht will have to do is weigh Sadiq's upside and potential against taking a flier on a linebacker who might be more of a late-first-round talent.
" Defensive end and tight end are two positions that the Bucs have keyed in on as Round 1 options, with tight end Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) being a real possibility at No. 15. "Jordan Reid
Reid's counterpart in the piece, Matt Miller, also echoed the same sentiments, stating that "The Buccaneers are doing a lot of homework on this year's tight end class."
At 15, the Buccaneers may not get a shot at the defensive help they want. The top two corners, LSU's Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy, are both expected to be gone in the top-14. After Sonny Styles, a consensus top-10 pick, the interior linebacker group fades into 2nd round talent.
The one player who could change this possible Sadiq option is Keldric Faulk. Faulk would be the best edge-rusher on the board at 15. He is listed as the 3rd-best edge player in this year's draft.
It may seem like Sadiq is more or less a wasted pick at 15 given the number of needs on the roster, but his future in the NFL has a high ceiling, and he should contribute early in 2026. What Licht can't do is allow himself to overdraft players.
Another spot he could turn to is the interior of his offensive line. This year's class isn't front-loaded with guard talent, but there are plenty of highly rated tackles who have the ability to slide inside.
Licht and his front office need to determine which positions they'll be prioritizing most with limited draft capital, and whether they'll use their first-round draft pick to fill a need or draft the best player available, regardless of position. As the draft approaches, it's becoming increasingly likely that Sadiq will be that best player available, which is the cause for all of this smoke connecting him to Tampa Bay.