The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to focus on strengthening their pass rush with the 15th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to several mock drafts released by analysts on April 6.
As the draft nears, recent combine results, Pro Day performances, and free agency moves have influenced projections for each team. The general consensus among pundits is that the Buccaneers will select an edge rusher to play alongside Yaya Diaby and bolster their defensive line.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com predicted that Tampa Bay will choose Akheem Mesidor from Miami. “Mesidor stays in state to fill a pass-rushing void for the Bucs. His age (he will be 25 when the season begins) shouldn’t concern general manager Jason Licht, because Tampa needs polished players to contend for a Super Bowl in 2026,” Reuter said.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports also expects Mesidor to join the Buccaneers. “They have to get more pressure on the quarterback. He is an older player at 25, but that shouldn’t matter to a team that needs help now,” Prisco said.
Jaime Eisner from The Draft Network offered a different perspective by projecting Cashius Howell from Texas A&M as Tampa Bay’s choice. “Cashius Howell has escaped some—some—of the arm-length backlash that Bain Jr. has received. But like Bain, the production can’t be ignored. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need more juice in the pass-rushing department and they turn to Howell with this pick. He’s incredibly explosive off the snap, plays with a high motor, and has proven he can produce double-digit sacks at the college level,” Eisner said.
Daire Carragher of PFF suggested tight end Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon as another possibility due to changes at wide receiver following Mike Evans’ departure: “Regardless of the Buccaneers re-signing Cade Otton this offseason, this selection feels like a natural fit given the departure of franchise stalwart Mike Evans. Sadiq can effectively operate as a wide receiver thanks to his combination of size, speed and explosiveness… if he returns to the trajectory he was on 12 months ago, the Buccaneers could be getting him at a significant value,” Carragher said.
Nick Baumgardner from The Athletic pointed toward Keldric Faulk out of Auburn: “Faulk is 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams without the injury history. One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk’s potential (at 6 feet 6 and 276 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms) is pretty wild. Todd Bowles could have fun with this pick,” Baumgardner said.
With multiple options being discussed by experts across major sports outlets, attention remains focused on whether Tampa Bay will prioritize defense or consider other positions when making its first-round selection.
