Later today, the on-field workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will officially be underway. Defensive linemen will kick things off with the 40-yard dash, where a tenth of a second could change your life. By this time next week, franchises will have most of the information they need in preparation to select their next draft class. Of course, college pro days and top-30 visits still lie ahead, but the Combine remains the main attraction.

When you peruse mock drafts, defense remains the overwhelming consensus for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at pick No. 15. Even Jason Licht and Todd Bowles acknowledged at this year's combine that upgrading the front seven would be a priority. The case for an edge rusher is rooted in the need to generate more pressure. Linebacker also makes sense with Lavonte David's future continuing to hang in the balance. I do not think a cornerback is out of the question either, considering how unlucky the Bucs have been with injuries the past few seasons. Despite defense appearing to be a defining desire of the Buccaneers, let me remind you of what happened last year.

Today's mock drafts do not differ drastically from last year's predictions. Most believed defense would be the direction the Bucs would go. A month before Round One, Todd Bowles addressed the media saying, "I learned that you win by scoring points. I don't ever want to bypass a very good offensive player... You can never have enough horses on offense". Then entered Jason Licht, who dropped this quote two weeks before the big day: "You have to score points to win… We're not going to overlook that position [wide receiver] at all if everything falls that way for us." In hindsight, maybe Emeka Egbuka's selection should not have been as surprising as it was at the time.

And what a selection it was! Egbuka led the Bucs last year with 938 receiving yards and added six touchdown receptions, emerging as an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. His impact alone is enough to make you reconsider what Tampa Bay could do by adding another dynamic weapon on offense.

What happens if one of the draft's top three receivers is still on the board at No. 15? That kind of value may simply be too good to pass up. Then there is the top tight end in the class, Kenyon Sadiq. Depending on how free agency unfolds, the Buccaneers could have a need at that position.

The offensive line also presents an intriguing option, offering an opportunity to upgrade the unit while adding much-needed depth after last season. Licht has consistently shown the franchise will not pass on elite talent when it's available. Why would this year be any different?

After Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix shared their mock drafts the past couple weeks, it's now my turn. What will I decide? I guess you'll have to read to find out.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Freshly named Raiders Head Coach Klint Kubiak is saying all the right things when asked about the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, insisting he still has "a lot of tape to watch." If there is any doubt about Fernando Mendoza being worthy of the No. 1 selection, just watch his touchdown run in the National Championship against Miami. This kid has a winner's mentality. Enough said.

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

The Jets enter this year's draft with 11 selections, second-most out of any team besides the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York's main focus is to gather as many talented players to build the foundation of their franchise. Luckily for them, the most talented player in this year's draft is still available for them with the second pick. Though he is not a franchise quarterback, the Jets end up with a cornerstone defender who will command the locker room for years to come in Arvell Reese.

3. Arizona Cardinals: T Spencer Fano, Utah

It is always smart to build up the trenches and the Cardinals elect to invest in another solid tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr. Spencer Fano earns the selection thanks to his elite athleticism and high ceiling at right tackle.

4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Robert Saleh is ecstatic to see Rueben Bain Jr. fall to No. 4, landing what many view as the premier pass rusher in the draft.

5. New York Giants: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Giants are tempted to give Jaxson Dart another weapon to play with at No. 5 but decide to protect him instead. Some believe Francis Mauigoa may be moved to guard at the next level, but New York believes in his ability to be their long-term right tackle.

6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

With both top-end offensive line prospects gone, Cleveland adds the most complete pass catching prospect to their wide receiver room in Carnell Tate. Ohio State wide outs and first-round selections are the peanut butter and jelly of the draft world.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Dan Quinn is looking to add to his front seven and David Bailey fits in seamlessly. The Texas Tech product lives in the backfield and will look to replicate his success in the nation's capital.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Tyler Shough really developed during his rookie year and the Saints are in prime position to add a dynamic-threat to their offense. I flirted with the possibility of adding Jeremiyah Love to their backfield, but the position value of a potentially elite wide receiver was too good to pass up. Despite his injury history, Jordyn Tyson has proven he can be a game-changer on the field.

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

This seems to be a popular Chiefs pick in many mock drafts. Kansas City gets the elite back they have wanted for some time. Jeremiyah Love is a home run waiting to happen.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Bengals are sprinting this card in as fast as they can. I know the Bengals would love to address their pass rush but Caleb Downs is a prospect you can't pass up at 10. He is a top-three talent in this draft class.

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Dolphins need some help in their secondary with multiple defensive backs heading towards free agency. Delane seems to be CB1 in this class and Miami swoops in and brings him to South Beach.

12. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Sonny Styles is the type of linebacker that makes you rethink "positional value" in the draft. He is an amazing pick up for the Cowboys and has the opportunity to go even higher inside the top 10.

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

The Rams have a lot of options with the pick they acquired from Atlanta in last year's draft. They could bolster their offensive line but none of the top prizes fell to them. Instead, they decide to use a lottery ticket and take a swing at a high-reward prospect. In 2024, Jermod McCoy produced some of the best tape in the country. Sadly, the corner suffered a torn ACL in January of 2025 that kept him out for the entire season. The Rams invest in his upside with a majority of their secondary needing new contracts this offseason.

14. Baltimore Ravens: WR Makai Lemon, USC

Makai Lemon at No. 14 is too good for the Ravens to pass up. Baltimore gets a player with the potential to blossom into a star WR1 alongside Zay Flowers.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

With all that talk in the intro about the possibility of taking an offensive player, there was never a shot I would let Cashius Howell slip past the Bucs at 15. He spent his first three years producing at Bowling Green before building off his success at Texas A&M. In 2025, the Kansas City native was named an Unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year after his 11.5-sack campaign for the Aggies. The production speaks for itself, with career totals of 127 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 27.0 sacks. Questions remain about his frame, as he does not possess the prototypical build for an edge rusher. However, Howell has the traits to develop into a three-down player at the next level and the Buccaneers could reap the rewards.

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): DL Peter Woods, Clemson

With all the top receivers gone, the Jets decide to bolster the trenches with Peter Woods. Woods is considered to be one the most explosive defensive tackles in the class, which will help set the tone before every snap.

17. Detroit Lions: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State.

If we learned anything about Dan Campbell, it is that he loves a tough, gritty style of play and Olaivavega Ioane embodies just that. The Lions are thrilled Ioane is still available for them here at 17. Detroit had some offensive line struggles last year and you better believe they will get that fixed quickly. I would not be surprised if the Lions decided to trade up to get their guy to get in front of the Ravens.

18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Avieon Terrell to the Vikings is another popular pick among mock drafts and there is a good reason why. Minnesota could use some serious depth in the secondary and Terrell provides a significant upgrade with the ability to fight for starting snaps as early as Week One.

19. Carolina Panthers: DL Caleb Banks, Florida

The Panthers take a look at the landscape and take the best player available to beef up their defensive line. Caleb Banks has scary upside and has the potential to cause fits with Derrick Brown and Nic Scourton lining up beside him.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Man, are the Cowboys thrilled with how this draft panned out. Keldric Faulk is another high-upside prospect with the ability to develop into a massive playmaker with the correct guidance. Dallas walks out of the first round with two impact players on the defensive side of the ball.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

It is clear the Steelers could use some more weapons and look to KC Concepcion to open up the offense. His quick burst and ability to create separation will endear him to the front office and fans alike.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

The Chargers suffered mightily from injuries to their offensive line with both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt being out for a large portion of the year. We all know Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball and wants to give Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton the best chance to succeed. Emmanuel Pregnon is an automatic plug-and-play left guard and Los Angeles keeps him on the west coast.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T Caleb Lomu, Utah

The Eagles' experienced offensive line could use an infusion of youth and Caleb Lomu gives them just that.

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

The Browns were unable to add to their offensive line earlier in the first round and they are happy to do so now (especially with the run of linemen happening above them). Kadyn Proctor is a mountain of a man, though he will need some refinement before becoming a complete player. Cleveland fixates on his rare blend of strength and size, confident he can develop into a true anchor along the line of scrimmage.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Chicago jumps at the opportunity to upgrade its interior defensive line with Kayden McDonald. He is viewed as the draft's best run defender at his position.

26. Buffalo Bills: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Bills add Denzel Boston in a move of which Josh Allen will undoubtedly approve. At 6-foot-4, the Washington product provides Allen with a towering vertical threat who can threaten coverages and make contested catches. Boston has the potential to be the steal of the draft for whoever lands him.

27. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

You know the saying. "You can never have enough pass rushers." The 49ers put faith into practice by welcoming T.J. Parker to their defensive end rotation. Yes, San Francisco possesses both Nick Bosa and last year's first-round pick Mykel Williams, but both are recovering from significant ACL injuries. Parker's value at this point in the draft is too enticing for the Niners.

28. Houston Texans: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Monroe Freeling heads to the Lone Star State with the task of becoming a mainstay for the Texans' offensive line. His athletic profile gives him the ability to start at tackle or guard for Houston in 2026.

29. Los Angeles Rams: T Blake Miller, Clemson

Offensive linemen have been a hot-commodity in the first round and now the Rams decide to get in on the fun. With Rob Havenstein retiring, the Rams must find their next answer at right tackle. Blake Miller brings 54 career starts at the position, experience that will be valuable protecting the league's reigning MVP.

30. Denver Broncos: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

The Broncos' defense is already pretty stacked, as we saw throughout their dominant 2025 campaign. Regardless, Denver falls in love with CJ Allen's leadership and hard-nosed approach to football. He can establish himself as an integral part of their system right away.

31. New England Patriots: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The Patriots are quite surprised one of the top offensive talents in this year's crop is still available. The Patriots have other needs they would like to address but the value proposition of Kenyon Sadiq here becomes an almost-no brainer at No. 31. Drake Maye receives a Swiss Army knife at tight end, a player capable of exploiting all three levels while holding his own in pass protection.

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

The reigning Super Bowl champions face a wave of upcoming contract decisions in their secondary. Colton Hood is a bully in man coverage and a disruptor against the run. He fits the mold of the player Mike Macdonald covets.