As the 2026 NFL Draft quickly approaches, the last flurry of mock drafts has monopolized headlines. Combine results, Pro Day performances and free agency moves by each club have shifted selections by analysts. The Buccaneers own the 15th overall pick in the first round and while there have been some variations to the mix, the overall consensus as of late is the Bucs snagging an edge rusher at 15 to boost the pass rush alongside Yaya Diaby. Here is the latest from pundits:
NFL.com
- Pick: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
- Comments: "Mesidor stays in state to fill a pass-rushing void for the Bucs. His age (he will be 25 when the season begins) shouldn't concern general manager Jason Licht, because Tampa needs polished players to contend for a Super Bowl in 2026."
CBS Sports
- Pick: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
- Comments: "They have to get more pressure on the quarterback. He is an older player at 25, but that shouldn't matter to a team that needs help now."
The Draft Network
- Pick: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Comments: "Cashius Howell has escaped some—some—of the arm-length backlash that Bain Jr. has received. But like Bain, the production can't be ignored. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need more juice in the pass-rushing department and they turn to Howell with this pick. He's incredibly explosive off the snap, plays with a high motor, and has proven he can produce double-digit sacks at the college level."
PFF
- Pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
- Comments: "Regardless of the Buccaneers re-signing Cade Otton this offseason, this selection feels like a natural fit given the departure of franchise stalwart Mike Evans. Sadiq can effectively operate as a wide receiver thanks to his combination of size, speed and explosiveness. Sadiq battled drops and saw a decline in production after the catch in his final year at Oregon, but if he returns to the trajectory he was on 12 months ago, the Buccaneers could be getting him at a significant value."
The Athletic
- Pick: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Comments: "Faulk is 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams without the injury history. One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk's potential (at 6 feet 6 and 276 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms) is pretty wild. Todd Bowles could have fun with this pick."






























