The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to consider several positions with their 15th overall pick in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to a roundup of recent mock drafts published on Mar. 9. Analysts have pointed to outside linebacker, inside linebacker, tight end, and cornerback as possible areas of focus for the team.
This topic is important as the draft selection could impact the team’s performance in the coming season and address key roster needs. The Buccaneers’ choices will be influenced by combine performances, upcoming top-30 visits, and pro days as they finalize their draft board.
Charles Davis from NFL.com projected that Tampa Bay might select edge rusher Cashius Howell from Texas A&M. “Head coach Todd Bowles is all about creating pressure. Like Fano, Howell’s arm length fell below the standard for his position (30 1/4 inches), but the Bucs are more interested in his production (33 tackles for loss, including 25 sacks, in the last three seasons),” Davis said.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports and Jaime Eisner from The Draft Network both predicted that tight end Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon could be chosen by Tampa Bay. Wilson said, “Sadiq’s 2025 tape might not have been as consistent as what he showed in 2024, but it was still really, really good. He also confirmed his high-end athleticism at the combine. Beyond his God-given traits, he’s one of the best blocking TEs in the class and a difference-maker on special teams. Hard to imagine Baker Mayfield wouldn’t love throwing to Sadiq and Egbuka on Sundays next fall.” Eisner added, “As he showed at the NFL Combine, Kenyon Sadiq is an explosive, elite athlete who brings game-changing speed to the tight end position. He had elite jumps (43.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-2 broad) and a crazy fast 40-yard dash (4.39). Sadiq can line up all over the formation and is a strong blocker in the run game. He has the potential to step in immediately as a key target for Baker Mayfield while helping open run lanes for Bucky Irving.”
Max Chadwick from PFF suggested edge defender Keldric Faulk from Auburn could be an option due to his strong run-defense skills: “The Buccaneers ranked seventh in team PFF pass-rush grade this season — but only 23rd in PFF run-defense grade. While Faulk has room to improve as a pass rusher, he produced an outstanding 89.2 PFF run-defense grade over the past two years. He can play at edge defender or at 5-technique in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense.” Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic mentioned cornerback Avieon Terrell from Clemson as another possibility: “The Bucs could go linebacker here, but I’ll instead give them the speedy and smooth man-to-man coverage defender from Clemson. Terrell was one of the few Tigers who didn’t have a disappointing run in 2025.”
With several prospects rising or falling based on their combine metrics and drill results at Lucas Oil Stadium, teams like Tampa Bay will continue evaluating talent through additional visits and workouts before making final decisions.
