Much like the calendar flipping to December, which yields advent countdowns, lights and festive music galore, merriment has arrived for football fanatics. The Super Bowl is in the rearview, thrusting mock draft season into the spotlight. From now until the draft kicks off in April, Buccaneers.com will release one mock each week, as I, Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and Contributor Gabriel Kahaian each take our turns.

The Buccaneers currently own the 15th overall pick in the first round, the highest draft spot the club has been allotted since 2020 after missing the playoffs in 2025. The general consensus and way-too-early predictions are that the Bucs will target a defensive player in the first round, notably an edge defender or an off-ball linebacker. However, this time last year, pundits almost unanimously had defensive players mocked to Tampa Bay with a handful predicting a receiver. In a rather shocking turn of events (for many), the Bucs took Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka to add to their offensive arsenal. For 2026, here is our second mock, with the Bucs emphasizing the middle of the defense:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Fernando Mendoza has distanced himself from the other quarterbacks in the class as the consensus No. 1. He guided Indiana to its first national title and the Heisman Trophy winner is a maestro in the pocket with accuracy, tight-window touch throws and outstanding mechanics prompting a compact release. Members of the Raiders' brass came out to view the National Championship game and they get their guy.

2. New York Jets: Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The Jets have multiple needs on defense and they go after the most dynamic defender in the class with Ohio State's Arvell Reese. He will likely make the transition from do-it-all linebacker to a full-time edge rush role at the NFL level. Reese provides flexibility on third down for the Jets and pairs counter moves with the fluidity for two-way go's. He has the playmaking range to bring down rushers in space and will bolster New York's defense.

3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Quarterback is a question mark for the Cardinals but the club decides to bolster the trenches with Spencer Fano. Fano has the versatility to line up all along the line and the quickness to mirror speed rushers. He is an effort-blocker downhill and can spur screens. With quickness out of his stance, Fano adds much-needed value to the Cardinals' frontline.

4. Tennessee Titans: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

The Titans have a formidable interior with Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat but need to bolster the edges. If Robert Saleh does not employ a blitzer, David Bailey will help generate pressure from four. Bailey is explosive and can work around blocks from a variety of angles. The twitchy player lived behind the line of scrimmage and his production will undoubtedly carry over to the NFL.

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

There is debate as to who is the bonafide number-one receiver between Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson. Opinions vary but Tate is a fit to help New York's aerial attack, joining Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers. Tate baits coverage with tempo and speed on routes and can work over the top on vertical routes, slipping by defensive backs with burst. His versatility both in the intermediate area and deep would boost New York's offense.

6. Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Browns could face a mass exodus along the offensive line and strengthening the unit supersedes the other needs at quarterback and receiver. The line dictates the pace of the offense and the Browns snag Miami's Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa, a three-year starter at right tackle, is fluid in pass sets and plays with outstanding contact balance and jarring pop on first contact. He could plug in at tackle or develop as a guard for the long-term future.

7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Commanders need more production from the middle of their defense and Sonny Styles would help fortify the unit. Dan Quinn has an impressive résumé when it comes to coaching linebackers with his hands-on approach, including pupils Bobby Wagner and linebacker-turned-edge Micah Parsons. Styles could be the next prodigy in the elite fraternity. He gets to the flats with lateral quickness and possesses man coverage skills. Styles could be utilized on disguises with his versatile skillset and finishes tackles with physicality. He gets to where he needs to be on the field without sacrificing leverage and is the type of player Quinn can build the defense around.

8. New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Jeremiyah Love is one of the most talented playmakers of the class and would add another dimension to Kellen Moore's offense. Adding an electric star like Love with young quarterback Tyler Shough would provide a boost for New Orleans. The Notre Dame product combines a pass-catching upside with quick acceleration through the interior, exposing poor run fits. Love gains an advantage with play speed/tempo, amassing 2,497 yards rushing over his last two seasons at Notre Dame.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Biletnikoff Award winner would help ignite the Chiefs' offense in 2026. Makai Lemon can make plays at all three levels of the field and creates early separation to work past defensive backs. He is a superb ball-tracker and manipulates coverage with sharp angles on out-breakers and burst out of breaks. Lemon would be another viable weapon for Patrick Mahomes to target.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Rueben Bain, Miami

The Bengals pass rush needs a jolt after the unit only produced 35 sacks in 2025 and the team takes Rueben Bain. Bain has the temperament and disposition in the trenches that teams covet. He has violent hands, explosive power and bend at the top of rushes. Bain eats blocks like a defensive lineman but has the quickness of an edge rusher.

11. Miami Dolphins: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Miami's defense finished 24th in scoring last season and needs to shore up the secondary. Caleb Downs has the versatility to play a plethora of roles, including nickel corner or box safety. He is disciplined in sifting through misdirection and is a disruptor at the line of scrimmage. Downs has stellar change-of-direction skills and has fluid movements to mirror slot weapons out of breaks and he mitigates yards after catch.

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Dallas has vocalized that the secondary will be a point of emphasis this offseason and Mansoor Delane played for the Cowboys' new secondary coach Ryan Smith at Virginia Tech before his transfer to LSU. Delane is able to disrupt releases from press with physicality and plays with anticipation at the break point. He effectively reads the quarterback from zone and has the speed to stay with vertical threats.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The Rams need to boost the back end and while Jermod McCoy did not play in 2025 as he recovered from an ACL tear in January, his 2024 tape left onlookers salivating. Entering 2025, McCoy was the consensus top corner on most boards before being sidelined and the Combine could entrench his case at CB1. He nabbed 16 passes defensed from 2023-24 and is patient in phase, not opening his hips too early. McCoy pairs change-of-direction fluidity with elite ball skills. In 2024, three of his four interceptions came at the three-yard line, showcasing his knack for making splash plays in critical moments.

14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

The Ravens need reinforcements in the interior of the offensive line and Olaivavega Ioane is a rancorous run blocker that fits the philosophy in Baltimore. He displaces defenders when drive blocking and combines effective contact balance with immense power and grip strength. Ioane did not allow a sack over the previous two seasons and is adept at recognizing and reacting to blitzes/stunts.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Legendary Buccaneer Lavonte David is an impending free agent and even if he chooses not to retire and returns in 2026, he could help mentor his future successor. CJ Allen fits the Bucs' character criteria with leadership skills as a green dot linebacker for the Bulldogs and team captain role. Allen possesses the position flexibility that is required in Todd Bowles' complex system. He has quick burst to close on receivers to limit YAC yards from zone, blitz prowess from the A- and B-gaps, textbook wrap-up tackling technique and trust in his instincts to play fast after diagnosing. He fills gaps with proper leverage and his football intelligence was evident in Kirby Smart's system.

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

The Jets add another skill player to pair with Garrett Wilson in Jordyn Tyson. Tyson does have a more significant injury history with a knee injury in 2022, collarbone in 2024 and hamstring ailments in 2025 but he has the ability to play all receiver spots on the field. Tyson has suddenness in and out of breaks underneath, a knack for baiting defensive backs at the stem and the physicality to win in contested catch and high-point situations. With excellent body control and the ability to attack leverage, Tyson can create advantageous matchups for New York.

17. Detroit Lions: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes get a linemate for Aidan Hutchinson in Cashius Howell. Howell effectively bends the corner and posted three years of impressive sack numbers. He has a rare spin counter move to overwhelm tackles and explodes off the line. Howell knives gaps with ease and collapses the pocket effectively through the B-gap. He has superb change of direction and pursuit, while also batting down passes at the line to disrupt throwing lanes.

18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Aveion Terrell, Clemson

The Vikings need help at both corner and safety but with a deep corner class, the club takes Clemson's Aveion Terrell. Brian Flores would take advantage of Terrell's skills, including his flexibility to play both inside and outside. Terrell matches releases with balance and quickly accelerates to top speed, staying in phase on verticals. He crowds the catch point and has a proficient downhill trigger.

19. Carolina Panthers: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Panthers could opt to take a receiver to pair with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan, but instead they add a playmaker to aid the defense. Keldric Faulk has the flexibility to align at various spots in odd or even fronts and has an arsenal of rush approaches at his disposal. Faulk effectively corrals mobile quarterbacks and is physical at the point of attack to strengthen Carolina's pass rush.

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

The Cowboys need to reinvigorate their pass rush in the post-Micah Parsons era and snag Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor's age (25) may be a deterrent for some teams, along with his injury history, but his ceiling is high. He can use both finesse and power moves to beat the opposition and takes advantage when tackles overset. Mesidor's motor and short-area quickness show up in the run game and he plays with active hands for superb double-swipe and cross-chop maneuvers.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers desperately need to find a player to complement DK Metcalf and they select Denzel Boston. Boston plays with sensational competitive toughness and acceleration off the line of scrimmage. He is a bigger-bodied receiver who can create mismatches against smaller defensive backs and is a threat in the red zone. Boston combines an elite catch radius with efficient ball tracking downfield.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Peter Woods, Clemson

The Chargers focus on the trenches in Round One with Peter Woods. While his 2024 campaign is a better representation of his ability than his junior tape, Woods is an explosive athlete with the ability to quickly shed as a two-gapper. He has shown the capability to get skinny and split combo blocks and he shoots off the ball with violence. Woods has stunning sideline-to-sideline range for his size and would elevate the interior of the Chargers' line.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Kenyon Sadiq magically falls to the Eagles at 23 and they take the playmaking tight end, adding another versatile weapon for Jalen Hurts. Sadiq can run a full route tree and separate at all three levels of the field. He has yards-after-catch ability and is crisp in and out of breaks. Sadiq is multi-faceted as a blocker, opening up the screen and ground game.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Browns could go with a receiver but given the potential losses in free agency, the Browns double up along the line to solidify the trenches. Kadyn Proctor is a massive human with the power to bulldoze men into submission. He can seal the edge with strength and has a stout anchor. At over 360 pounds, Proctor moves with rare fluidity for his size. Proctor is a displacer and plays with a controlled, calm demeanor.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

The Bears need to fortify the interior of their line and shore up their run defense. Chicago takes Lee Hunter, a dominant bull rusher and two-gapping nose tackle from Texas Tech. Hunter easily sheds single blocks and is quick off the snap with a leverage advantage into contact.

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

With several receivers already off the board, the Bills go with a pass rusher instead with T.J. Parker. Parker had better numbers in 2024 than 2025 with 11sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles in the former. However, Parker effectively sets the edge, possesses a devastating long-arm and insane power at the point of attack. He has high-end moves in his arsenal and is one of the more polarizing prospects with a promising upside.

27. San Francisco 49ers: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

KC Concepcion's run-after-catch skills in the open field make him a cookie-cutter fit for San Francisco. He beats press with elusiveness and has stellar suddenness at the top of routes. With short-area burst, he creates leverage on routes and is effective against zone. His versatility and ability in space would create another nightmare for defensive coordinators to account for on screens, motions, sweeps, handoffs and short-to-intermediate routes.

28. Houston Texans: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

The Texans bolster the protection around C.J. Stroud with Monroe Freeling. The club landed Aireontae Ersery in the 2025 Draft and continues the reload with Freeling. He is stout as a lead blocker out in space and can effectively counter twisters with fluid movements. Freeling works off double teams with ease to seal off backside lanes for rushers at the second level and he will enhance Chicago's front line.

29. Los Angeles Rams: T Caleb Lomu, Utah

The Rams boost the trenches after taking a cornerback with their pick from Atlanta. Caleb Lomu is quick out of his stance and into pulls, widening the corner. He showed the ability to adapt to blitzes and inside counters with body control and balance. Lomu neutralizes rushes with technique and intention in his pass sets.

30. Denver Broncos: DL Caleb Banks, Florida

Denver may have a vacancy to fill along the defensive line if John Franklin-Myers goes elsewhere in free agency and Caleb Banks would help fill the void. Banks stuns blockers with hand strikes and has a nasty long arm in his bag of tricks. Banks has the power to generate separation at the POA and pairs a quick first step with lateral movement skills to make plays on the perimeter.

31. New England Patriots: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The Patriots snagged Will Campbell last year to protect Drake Maye and with Morgan Moses set to turn 35 in a month, the club adds a much-needed boost. Miller, a former wrestler, logged 54 starts at right tackle and has the quickness to combat linebackers on combo blocks. He plays with active feet, can mirror rushers and picks up stunts/twists with rare timing. Miller plays with a finisher mentality that coaches covet and showed his durability in Power Five Football.

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

If the Seahawks lose any of their impending free agents on the back end, including Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, or Coby Bryant, Brandon Cisse would fill the vacancy in the secondary. He is scheme-versatile and uses his size to his advantage in coverage. Cisse has a box-safety mentality when defending the run and has long strides to keep pace with vertical threats. He is explosive downhill to mitigate screens and wide zone runs. Cisse attacks the catch point and would add a physical presence to the defense of the reigning Super Bowl champions.