It has been unusually cold in Tampa, Florida for weeks, at least by the residents' usual standards. The chill in the air has almost made it seem like the calendar is frozen, not advancing like it should toward the balmy spring weather of West Florida. Punxsutawney Phil sent his agreement from up north.

Then along came the Super Bowl to break the spell. The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots on Sunday night and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, the 2025 NFL season was finally a wrap and time sped up again. In Tampa, Mother Nature complied and thermometers started resting in the 70s again for most of the day. Seattle still had a parade to arrange but in Tampa and around the rest of the league, all eyes turned towards free agency and the draft.

If we're talking change of seasons, here at Buccaneers.com the conclusion of the Super Bowl always means one thing: Mock Draft Season is upon us. Now, in some corners of the internet, that season runs 12 months a year, so this will be far from the first 2026 NFL mock draft you'll see. But it is our first, and it will kick off a weekly exercise in prognostication leading all the way up the real thing on April 23.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently set to pick 15th in the first round on that Thursday evening in April, the highest they have been slotted since 2020. The Buccaneers' selections on Day Two are at number 46 overall in Round Two and number 77 overall in Round Three. The Bucs have seven picks at their disposal; as of yet they have neither lost nor gained any due to trades, and they are not expected to receive any compensatory picks this year.

If the mock drafts I have studied so far are any indication – and I've already logged the Bucs-related predictions of more than 80 of them – the widespread belief is that the Buccaneers will be focusing on defense early in the draft. Of course, that was the same expectation of most draft analysts last offseason and the Bucs surprised them all by nabbing Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. After one season, that looks like a home run of a pick.

So, what about 2026? Without further ado, here is our first Mock Draft of 2026; I get first crack at it but Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix and Buccaneers.com Contributor Gabriel Kahaian will also be contributing as the weeks go on (note, we will not be predicting trades in our first round of mocks):

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

There's a handy website called NFL Mock Draft Database that collects, summarizes and provides links to hundreds of mock drafts every year. I went back to their 2021 archives and had to scroll through 34 pages of links before I found a single mock, posted on January 4, that did not give Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars at number one. And the massive consensus was right, of course. Well, five years later, we're back in the same situation. The Raiders have the first pick, a gaping hole at the game's most important position and a draft board that surely has Indiana's Heisman Trophy winner far ahead of the rest of this class of quarterbacks.

2. New York Jets: EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami

The Jets lost their last five games but still couldn't beat the Raiders (who lost 10 in a row before closing out the season with a win over the Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs) to the top pick in the 2026 draft. That's a bummer for New York because not only do they miss out on Mendoza but there is no consolation prize at the quarterback position worth taking with the second-overall pick. But there is another kind of consolation prize. You know what teams generally do when they can't or don't want to draft a quarterback with a top-two pick? They nab that other asset that is very hard to find an usually requires a very high selection: A game-changing edge rusher. That's what three of the last four teams picking second did when they didn't go with a quarterback. And the last three teams picking first that didn't want a QB all picked an edge rusher. This is how you get a Myles Garrett or an Aidan Hutchinson. You could quibble with David Bailey over Bain but I like the Hurricane star because I think he'll be the more disruptive player against both the run and the pass and I think his relentlessly violent play style would set a tone for the Jets' whole defense.

3. Arizona Cardinals: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Is Reese going to be primarily an edge rusher or roam-the-field linebacker? Could he possibly be both, a la the early days of Micah Parsons in Dallas? Really, any answer works for the Cardinals who could also use a tone-setter on defense. The Cardinals are another team that wishes there were a couple more high-end quarterbacks available, and they need an offensive tackle as well but nobody at those positions offers the upside that Reese does for their defense.

4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Robert Saleh was let go in the middle of his fourth season by the Jets, but not because he failed to build a strong defense in New York. Now, after a year of making the best out of a decimated defensive depth chart in San Francisco, he gets a second shot in the corner office and his first act is to start restocking a defense that allowed the fifth-most points last year. It starts up front with perhaps the most explosive defender in the draft.

5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Giants only improved by one win in 2025, finishing 4-13, but they at least got their fanbase excited about a young offensive core featuring quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers, before Nabers and Skattebo both got hurt. Get that trio healthy again and add another pass-catcher who can stretch the field vertically and this group could be very exciting. This would be an even more likely target for the Giants if Wan'Dale Robinson, the surprise 1,000-yard receiver from last season, departs in free agency.

6. Cleveland Browns: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Browns' entire starting offensive line could hit free agency in March. Quarterback is unsettled but I don't see what adding another uncertain prospect to the mix would accomplish. Cleveland's defense is in good shape so this is likely to be an offensive pick and Todd Monken's crew needs a lot of help up front.

7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Washington made it to the 2024 NFC Championship Game behind rookie QB sensation Jayden Daniels and a defense strung together by a lot of long-in-the-tooth free agency additions. That defense collapsed in 2025 and finished dead last in the NFL yardage rankings, so help is needed all over the depth chart. Downs is the type of prospect who can, in fact, help out all over the depth chart, playing safety, in the slot or even as a hybrid linebacker. He can blitz the quarterback, too. This is a player Dan Quinn can build a new-look defense around.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC

Chris Olave is a star, albeit one who has a somewhat concerning injury history, but there's not much else in the Saints' receiver room, particularly after the Rashid Shaheed trade. Tyler Shough played well enough as a 26-year-old rookie to look like a long-term solution at quarterback, but he needs more weapons. Running back Jeremiyah Love could be a consideration here, as well, as Alvin Kamara's great career winds down.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Speaking of Love, he's the first back off the board to a Chiefs team that could use some added offensive juice in 2025. Kansas City ranked 25th in rushing offense last year and both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are pending free agents. Travis Kelce may or may not return and Patrick Mahomes has to recover from a late-season ACL tear. Love is a big-play machine and Mahomes will enjoy getting him involved in the passing game.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Trey Hendrickson is unlikely to be back and the Bengals' defense only generated 35 sacks last year anyway. Howell might be a tier below Bain and Bailey due to his physical measurements but he still has great burst and a well-developed set of pass-rush moves.

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Dolphins muddled through the 2025 season with such late additions as Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones but they badly need new talent in their cornerback room. Delane has good size and is a very well-rounded prospect who excels in all areas of the game. He is adept at both zone and man coverage, breaks quickly on the ball and holds up well in run support.

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy missed the 2025 season due to an ACL tear but the injury happened way back in January of 2025 so it shouldn't scare off any teams in need of a top-tier cornerback. That's exactly what McCoy was for the Volunteers in 2024, when he had 13 passes defensed and four interceptions. He was also a track star as a prep in Texas and he could provided added value in the return game.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): T Spencer Fano, Utah

The Rams will enter the 2026 season as one of the Super Bowl favorites and could probably use another pass-catcher to help reigning MVP Matthew Stafford put up big numbers again in his age-38 season. But they have a second first-round pick plus selections in the second and third frames. Rob Havenstein recently announced his intention to retire, so the right tackle spot is open. Fano switched to right tackle last season at Utah and could step right in for the Rams as a powerful run blocker with quick feet to hold up in pass protection.

14. Baltimore Ravens: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Daniel Faalele was the weak link on the Ravens' offensive line in 2025 and is also set to hit free agency. He feels like a project that didn't work out, so Baltimore resets here with the top interior offensive lineman in the draft. Ioane has tremendous power and knows how to win leverage battles, and he should be a starter in Week One.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

This was a tough decision. There is decent depth in this year's linebacker class, so the Buccaneers could use this pick on an edge rusher and then address off-ball linebacker on Day Two. It would probably be harder to do that in reverse order, so a player like Keldric Faulk is definitely tempting here. That said, while the Bucs could get a good starter for the middle of their defense in Round Two, I have them swinging for greatness in Round One instead. The Bucs know how important a linebacker with top-notch coverage skills can be after nearly three decades of Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David. It's time to look for the next player to carry that torch in Tampa. Styles has been compared to Fred Warner, and even if that is an awfully high bar to clear, a player with that sort of skillset is exactly what the Bucs' defense needs, particularly if David chooses to conclude his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Jets got a much-needed quarterback hunter for their defense with the second pick and now they provide some help for whoever ends up throwing passes for their offense. Tyson is explosive off the line and can stress defenses at all three levels like the Bucs' Emeka Egbuka. He is extremely adept at getting open but also wins a majority of his contested-catch situations, and he has the flexibility to play in any of the three receiver spots for the Jets.

17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Lions still need a bookend for superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson; Marcus Davenport, who is a pending free agent and has only played 14 games in the last three seasons combined, is not the answer. The 6-6, 285-pound Faulk offers great size and strength and would make an immediate impact against the run. If the Lions can help him refine his pass-rushing technique and get a bit more explosive off the ball, he could develop into a three-down star at the NFL level.

18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Brian Flores is staying put with the Vikings, so that's a huge plus for the defense, but the secondary needs a little help. A safety would be tempting with the potential retirement of Harrison Smith, but I think the value at cornerback is better at this point in the draft. Terrell may not have the size to play on the outside but he could start right away in the slot, where his quick feet, awareness and change-of-direction skills would serve him well. He's also a strong blitzer, of which Flores would surely take advantage.

19. Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

I did not enjoy making this pick. The Panthers already have the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan plus a good one-two punch with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle in the backfield (if Dowdle re-signs with the team). The offensive line is solid, as well, and Jalen Coker is a good number-two option out of the slot. I would prefer the Panthers not add another explosive playmaker to that bunch, particularly with the Bucs' occasional struggles against athletic tight ends. Sadiq excels after the catch on short passes but can also get open deep. This is, unfortunately, a great way to help Bryce Young continue his ascent.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

The Cowboys need an edge rusher because…well, you know why. Clemson's T.J. Parker could be an option here, but some of his best pass-rush work comes when he slides inside and the Cowboys don't really need that after adding Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams last year. Mesidor's pass rush is more about power than speed but he does have a quick first step and he uses his hands well to shed blockers.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers really need a second receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, and given Boston's size and physical style of play those two could form a pretty scary duo for smaller secondaries. He beats press coverage easy and has deceptive speed due to his long strides.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Peter Woods, Clemson

The offensive line was the Chargers' bigger problem in 2025 but with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt returning from their season-ending injuries that unit should be in much better shape in 2026. Here the Chargers get some help on the other side of the trenches instead, landing the thick and powerful run-stopper with some pass-rush potential.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Eagles don't just luck into one of the NFL's best offensive lines year after year; they plan ahead. That's what they're doing here with the addition of Proctor, who played outside at Alabama but could potentially move inside in the NFL. That means the Eagles could groom him to be Lane Johnson's eventual replacement but also have him ready to step in if there are injury issues at either guard spot.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Even after taking a tackle at pick number six the Browns could still double-up on blockers given their potential free agency losses. However, they definitely need a talent infusion at receiver and in particular could use a dynamic slot weapon, which is exactly how the undersized Concepcion profiles. He has instant acceleration off the snap and extremely quick cuts that leaves defenders in his wake.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Grady Jarrett is getting up there and the Bears need more beef in their interior line after ranking 27th against the run last year. With his thick frame and massive strength, Lee can hold up against double teams and throw off blockers to get quickly into the runner's lane. He may or may not develop into much of a pass rusher in the NFL but he's valuable to the Bears here on his run defense alone.

26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

The Bills likely will have their eyes on a receiver early in this draft but my mock didn't fall out well for them in that regard. So they pivot and add a pass rusher with Joey Bosa's one-year contract expiring. Parker has some flexibility to slide inside and rush the passer well from that spot.

27. San Francisco 49ers: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

Same issue here for the 49ers, who are moving on from Brandon Aiyuk and could also see Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne depart in free agency. But given the way the draft board has fallen out, that now looks like a Day Two issue. Instead, the 49ers begin reloading on defense and get a running mate for Fred Warner in Georgia's Allen, who is a smart and instinctive player with good range and reliable tackling skills.

28. Houston Texans: T Caleb Lomu, Utah

Houston once again heads into the offseason needing to rework its blocking in front of C.J. Stroud, an issue compounded by the pending free agency status of right tackle Trent Brown. Lomu is very athletic for a 6-6, 304-pound man and may actually be able to add weight to his frame at the next level. He's better in pass protection than run blocking at the moment but does move well on pulling plays.

29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

I may have miscalculated when I made the Rams wait on receiver to take an offensive tackle with the pick they got from Atlanta, but it's too late to go back now. Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick are all potential free agents, so I'll pivot here and go with a cornerback. Cisse is a fast and fluid cornerback who would line up on the outside, which is wear the Rams could need help.

30. Denver Broncos: DL Caleb Banks, Florida

John Franklin-Myers could cash in in free agency after recording 7.0 and 7.5 sacks for the Broncos in the last two seasons, respectively. If he gets a good deal with a different team, Denver would have a hole to fill on their defensive front and Banks offers some definite interior pass-rush potential.

31. New England Patriots: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia

The Patriots used the fourth-overall pick on Will Campbell last year to protect Drake Maye's blind side, but the prevailing wisdom after a difficult playoff showing is that New England may consider moving Campbell inside to guard next season. Mike Vrabel recently pushed back against that idea, but you never know. If they do end up needing a new left tackle, they could look to Freeling, who played that spot for the Bulldogs. Freeling doesn't have the same arm-length limitations that cloud Campbell's future at tackle; quite the opposite as he possesses an 84-inch wingspan. Freeling was very good in pass protection for Georgia against top-level SEC edge rush talent.

32. Seattle Seahawks: WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

As we usually say about the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks have a loaded roster without many holes on either side of the ball. They might seek an upgrade over right guard Anthony Bradford, but I don't think that's the best value at this spot. Williams is likely a slot receiver in the NFL, which makes him a little redundant with Cooper Kupp, but Kupp turns 33 in June and speed merchant Rashid Shaheed is a pending free agent. Williams has good speed and short-area quickness with the ability to turn short passes into big gains. Sam Darnold needs another high-volume pass-catcher to target when opposing teams sell out to stop Jaxon Smith-Njigba, like the Patriots did in the Super Bowl.