The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is in the rearview and franchises are now methodically building their draft boards with input gathered from interviews, on-field drills and testing at the combine. Tape is the ultimate determination of scheme fit but organizations are in the process of finalizing the pieces to the puzzle with college Pro Days and Top-30 visits still looming.

The Buccaneers could go many different directions in the first round of the draft with the mock consensus being a defensive player, notably an outside linebacker or an inside linebacker. Lavonte David's future is unknown and Jason Licht and company have emphasized the desire for more pressure players in the front seven. However, the Bucs' brass are always looking for the best player available, regardless of position. Several players helped raise their stock at the Combine, including the player taken at 15.

After Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and Buccaneers.com Contributor Gabriel Kahaian posted their mock drafts in recent weeks, it is now time for my iteration:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

This marriage seems like a foregone conclusion. Fernando Mendoza will be an asset in the Raiders' transformation as the top prospect at the position in the class. Mendoza commands the pocket with precision, elite accuracy, outstanding mechanics and anticipation to attack. He has the tools to excel at the next level and the Heisman Trophy Winner will bolster the offense in Las Vegas.

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

The Jets could go with David Baiiley here but Arvell Reese looks like the most explosive option of the class. Reese could be the defensive fixture in Aaron Glenn's system that the team haslacked since the departure of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The Ohio State product dominated the scouting combine and has the range, length and speed that defensive coordinators covet. Reese already has several go-to moves in his rush arsenal and is adept at taking down slash backs in space.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

David Bailey is the most polished edge rusher of the 2026 bunch and would elevate the Cardinals' pass rush. He would form a fierce tandem with Josh Sweat and pairs an explosive get-off with superb rush instincts. Bailey quickly moves laterally and can split linemen from multiple angles. He lives behind the line of scrimmage and can effectively build speed and widen as the rush develops.

4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Robert Saleh could take Rueben Bain, however, in terms of value at the pick, Jeremiyah Love is arguably the best player in the draft regardless of position. With the success of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, taking a running back this high in the draft is no longer taboo. Love set the tone in Notre Dame's offense with an absurd statline – 2,497 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns over the previous two seasons. He can quickly reaccelerate and has the speed to win on the edge in wide runs. Love has tremendous upside as a pass-catcher and is a threat with the ball in his hands.

5. New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Giants adding Tremaine Edmunds does not prohibit the club from getting one of the best prospects in the class. Sonny Styles would add an immediate boost for John Harbaugh with freak athleticism. Styles lit up Lucas Oil Field, posting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 43 1/2 -inch vertical leap and the safety-turned linebacker possesses short-area quickness, keeps eyes disciplined in monitoring pre-snap motion with proficient diagnosis and finishes tackles with force. Styles leverages runs effectively and has the ability to cover backs on option routes.

6. Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Todd Monken emphasized improving blocking at the combine and Francis Mauigoa could be an anchor for years to come in Cleveland. Mauigoa, a three-year starter for the Hurricanes at right tackle, plays with strong contact balance and pop on first contact. He has good awareness of pocket depth and a high-ceiling to fortify the Browns' line.

7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Commanders are in need of another high football IQ defender with the potential departure of Bobby Wagner. Caleb Downs has the versatility to line up as a big nickel in the slot or as a box safety with physicality near the line of scrimmage. Downs has twitchy change-of-direction skills and is adept at sifting through misdirection. He acts fast from zone, mitigating YAC threats in the short-to-intermediate area. Downs could become a do-it-all safety in Washington's defense, bringing additional juice.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Saints get another weapon for Tyler Shough and a complement for Chris Olave in Carnell Tate to boost Kellen Moore's offense. Tate has the tempo and savviness to create burst on short-to-intermediate routes and the speed to win vertically. He runs routes with purpose and combines both contested-catch win ability with elite ball tracking downfield.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The Chiefs ranked 28th in the league last year in pressures allowed and protecting Patrick Mahomes is paramount. Spencer Fano has experience playing both tackle spots and plays with solid footwork on move blocks and he has the athleticism to spur screens. He can mirror rushers with agility and is quick out of his stance. Fano plays with high-end effort downfield and when Mahomes takes off, he would be effective in extending blocks for QB1.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Trey Hendrickson is out the door and although a knock-on Rueben Bain's resumé has been his short arms, it did not hinder his production. Bain accumulated 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season. He held his own against top-tier tackles and has a violent hand strike. Bain possesses both the power of a two-gapping defensive tackle and the quickness of an edge rusher. Bain can take on double teams with a firm anchor and will help solidify the trenches in Cincinnati.

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Dolphins need reinforcements in the secondary and snag Mansoor Delane. Delane plays with great awareness in both man and zone coverage, blanketing the catch point. He can phase vertical routes and anticipates breaks in zone. The LSU product has a knack for reading route combinations and will fortify the defense in South Florida.

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Delane, a consensus All-American, was already off the board so the Cowboys strengthen the secondary with Jermod McCoy. McCoy was sidelined in 2025 due to a torn ACL but was practicing before the year concluded. He produced 16 passes defensed and six interceptions from 2023 to 2024. McCoy is patient at the top of the route, not declaring his hips. With great change of direction, ballhawking skills, ability to bait quarterbacks by disguising intentions and smooth transitions, McCoy would add juice to the Dallas reconfigured defense.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Trent McDuffie agreed to a four-year deal with the Rams and while Puka Nacua's prowess ignited the offense in 2025, Davante Adams is 33 and battled through injury. Denzel Boston is another big red zone threat for the Rams and he creates advantages in jump-ball situations. Boston creates mismatches and has a large catch radius. With stellar ball-tracking and run after catch capability, he seems to fit perfectly in the Rams' receiver mold, easing the transition when Adams concludes his career.

14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Olaivavega Ioane falls perfectly into the Ravens' lap. Ioane would upgrade the Ravens' interior with his power and contact balance. Ioane stays locked as a drive blocker and is adept at countering twists/stunts. He sets a firm anchor against power bull rushes and displaces linemen. Ioane would help set the tone in Baltimore's run game.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

With the top outside linebackers and inside linebackers off the board, the Buccaneers take the best player available in Kenyon Sadiq. Mike Evans departed in free agency to the 49ers and although Tampa Bay re-signed Cade Otton, that would not preclude the club from taking one of the greatest tight end prospects of the past decade. Sadiq broke the 40-yard dash record for tight ends with a 4.39-second 40. That is not conventional tight end speed, that is agile-receiver-type acceleration in the body of a 240-pound man. He reached a top speed of 23.24 miles per hour during the 40, matching the top speed of Gibbs at the 2023 combine. Sadiq jumped over 40 in the vertical and jumped over 11 feet in the broad jump, showcasing his rare athleticism. He can run an advanced route tree and uncover at all three levels, providing Baker Mayfield with another weapon downfield. Sadiq quickly works in-and-out of breaks with twitchiness to generate separation and is a seam-magnet. Sadiq has the body control to make adjustments to the ball and has a feel for soft spots over the middle of the field in zone. Oregon lined Sadiq up in a variety of spots, including slot, in-line, flexed wide and motioned across and he excelled in all.

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Jets have multiple options at receiver but Head Coach Aaron Glenn and General Manager Darren Mougey take Makai Lemon, a plug-and-play weapon to galvanize the offense in New York. Lemon flashes early acceleration and manipulates defensive backs with route subtleties. With sharp angles on out-breakers and outstanding ball-tracking, he creates a quarterback-friendly target. Lemon compares stylistically to Amon-Ra St. Brown with his playmaking ability in space and excellence after the catch.

17. Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Taylor Decker moves on and the Lions grab one of the best tackle prospects in the class with Monroe Freeling. He only has 16 college starts under his belt but Freeling has a high-upside. He ran a 1.71-second 10-yard split at the combine, showing off his athletic ability. Freeling is a talented lead blocker and plays with fluidity when countering twisters. He surrendered little pressure across 747 snaps versus SEC talent and he pairs a quick first step with spatial awareness.

18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

The Vikings address their need at safety and take Dillon Thieneman, who produced a jaw-dropping 4.35-second 40 time and a 41-inch vertical, along with a 10-foot-5 broad jump. The rangy safety would be a fit in Minnesota and possesses relentless pursuit, along with ball-tracking acumen to make plays over the top. Over the last three seasons, Thieneman amassed 306 tackles and eight interceptions. He effectively visualizes run tracks and races downhill to make tackles.

19. Carolina Panthers: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Derrick Brown is the anchor of the Panthers' defensive line and the club adds a pass rusher to the mix in Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor, a high-effort rusher, takes advantage of tackles who overset. He has a rush plan and makes necessary adjustments in-game with the ability of using both power and finesse moves in his toolkit. Mesidor is adept at spying mobile quarterbacks and plays with hustle as a run defender as well.

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

Dallas added to the secondary with Jermod McCoy earlier in the draft so they bolster the trenches here with Keldric Faulk. Faulk is a developmental prospect with untapped potential. He plays with a tough disposition and has a diverse repertoire of moves in his bag. Faulk effectively corals mobile quarterbacks after they break contain and he has the penetration capability as a one-gapper or the gap integrity to control as a two-gapper.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Steelers are in need of additional firepower on offense and select Jordyn Tyson. Tyson has the versatility to play all receiver positions on the field and he has the body control to win in 50/50 situations. He plays with suddenness underneath and adjusts tempo at the stem of routes to bait coverage. Tyson controls the catch space and has a feel for how to attack with angles/leverage. He creates with short-area quickness and will boost Pittsburgh's receiver room.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Kadyn Proctor would give the Chargers flexibility at both tackle and guard to reinforce the line. Proctor has a rare size-length profile and overwhelms second-level targets, which would benefit Jim Harbaugh's ground game. He is a bulldozer when moving downhill and can seal the outside edge. At 360 pounds, he moves in an uncommon way with explosiveness and fluidity.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The Eagles offensive line gets a jolt of youthfulness and a player to learn from Lane Johnson. Caleb Lomu fires out of his stance and excelled on lead blocks in Utah's zone run-based attack. He is still in the developmental phase but has the range to widen the corner and adaptability in-game. Once he gets a firm latch on a rusher's chest, the battle is done. His kick slide is smooth and he has good awareness at both pin-and-pull concepts to defeat second-level targets and the lateral movement skills to recover.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Omar Cooper Jr. became one of Fernando Mendoza's go-to targets and he had an impressive combine performance with a 4.42-second 40 and a 37-inch vertical. Cooper produced 20 touchdown catches since the start of the 2024 season and his lethal acceleration catches defensive backs off-kilter. Creating yards after contact is where Cooper shines and he would bring physicality to the Browns' offense.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Peter Woods, Clemson

The Bears get help in the interior with Peter Woods. Woods has a good feel for splitting double teams by getting skinny and is effective at getting off blocks to tackle. He combines power and explosion, thriving as a two-gapper who occupies space. His addition would reinvigorate Chicago's line.

26. Buffalo Bills: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

The Bills reinforce the middle of the defense with C.J. Allen. The Georgia green dot linebacker sifts through run fits with outstanding leverage and has quick burst from zone to mitigate yards-after-catch threats. Allen flies through the A- and B-gaps with timely blitzes and has stout technique as a wrap-up tackler. He is able to get sideline-to-sideline on horizontal stretch runs and the Bills get another playmaker to revamp their defense.

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

Although the club has a formidable tandem in Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, both are recovering from ACL injuries. The club shores up the unit with T.J. Parker. Parker posted 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles in 2024. He maximizes hand usage to disengage from blocks and possesses a calamitous long-arm maneuver that pushes blockers back into the pocket. He is always searching to disrupt and methodically works to the punch the ball out with violence.

28. Houston Texans: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The Texans find a long-term solution at tackle with All-ACC Blake Miller. Miller was next in the litany of players going off the board at the position and he logged 54 career starts at right tackle. He is adept at pulling across the formation and is quick into pass sets with a smooth and long kick slide. The athletic specimen is speedy to recover and processes stunts and twists like a pro.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (From Los Angeles): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

The Chiefs said goodbye to Trent McDuffie and nab Avieon Terrell. Terrell has the speed to stay with vertical threats and the ability of mirroring releases, blanketing routes with discipline from press. He proficiently achieves both inside and outside leverage with his athleticism and a competitive disposition that causes receivers fits. Terrell has mastered the art of the peanut punch and his hip fluidity allows him to stay in phase.

30. Denver Broncos: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Safety might not be the most glaring need for Denver but the upside of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is too good to pass. McNeil-Warren is physical near the line of scrimmage and is most effective when employed as a robber. The rangy safety plays alert from off coverage and triggers quickly to the action, reading the quarterback's eyes to disrupt underneath throws. He uses his length to interrupt throwing lanes and smoothly redirects out of his backpedal.

31. New England Patriots: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Revamping the pass rush is a top priority for the Patriots this offseason and Cashius Howell hasimpressive sack totals over the previous three seasons to interest New England. Howell can flatten the pocket with solid bend and an elite inside spin counter that obliterates tackles who overset. He quickly knifes into gaps and his change-of-direction is rare.

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

The Seahawks add much-needed depth at the cornerback position with Brandon Cisse. The former Gamecock is a scheme-versatile player with explosiveness and the arm length, which bypasses traditional thresholds, to invade the catch space in press. Cisse is quick to diagnose and close the space from off-man and has the long-strided speed to stay in-phase on vertical shots downfield. His jam alters route timing and he diagnoses skillfully on sweeps and screens.