The Bucs enter this week at the 2026 Senior Bowl in a different place than they have been in recent years, for multiple reasons. The most obvious reason is that Tampa Bay did not reach the postseason for the first time in six seasons as they ceded control of the NFC South to the Panthers.
What else stands out about the Bucs entering this part of the offseason is that they have an answer at offensive coordinator after previous searches extended into this week in years past. Zac Robinson is officially the man in charge of the offense, which gives head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht more time to dive into the top collegiate prospects who have made their way down to Mobile, Alabama. According to the Senior Bowl website, 133 players are expected to take part in practice sessions throughout the week before the National-American game on Saturday afternoon.
Late January is when draft season begins to kick into another gear, as “The Draft Starts in Mobile.”
As history has shown, Tampa Bay will likely take at least one of those 133 players when it comes time to pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While that remains three months away, it is never too early to take a look at some possibilities at the top of the draft. With PewterReport.com gearing up to cover everything Senior Bowl-related, it is fitting to provide all of the latest mock drafts over the last week and who they have the team taking.
CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer (Jan. 26)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
Cashius Howell wins with speed and a strong long-arm move, with the ability to counter inside when tackles overset. He plays with a great motor and natural pass-rush instincts, and his twitch and get-off can cause problems.
Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jerome Miron
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah (Jan. 26)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
One of my favorite players to study, Howell plays 100 mph at all times and has the production to back it up (27 career sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss).
Tankathon.com (Jan. 26)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Ohio State ILB Sonny Styles
No. 46 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama EDGE LT Overton
No. 77 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Baylor TE Michael Trigg
No. 116 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Alabama CB Domani Jackson
Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman (Jan. 25)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
Tampa Bay struggled to generate pressure without blitzing this season and needs another dynamic edge rusher to complement Yaya Diaby. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell may be undersized, but he has earned a PFF pass-rush grade above 90.0 in each of the past three seasons. The final two of those seasons came in the SEC, and he led the conference with 12 sacks this year.
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Joseph Maiorana
Fox Sports’ Staff (Jan. 24)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Ohio State ILB Sonny Styles
If it weren’t for Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles would be getting a lot more recognition as a Buckeye linebacker. In his past two seasons at Ohio State, he’s totaled 183 tackles, 95 solo tackles, eight passes defended, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. He hits like a truck and can move well in space.
Lavonte David is 35 years old and this is a good chance for Tampa to replace him.
Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline (Jan. 22)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Georgia ILB CJ Allen
Off-ball linebacker could go from a need to a desperate need if Lavonte David retires, as expected. Allen is a natural for Todd Bowles’ scheme.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Dale Zanine
ESPN’s Mel Kiper (Jan. 21)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Buccaneers landed Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 last April, but don’t be surprised if they go back to the pass-catching well in 2026. After a hot start to the season, Baker Mayfield slowed down in the second half, and his offense could lose wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Cade Otton. They are both free agents, and Evans is 32. Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson should be able to carry the WR room, but the tight end group would take a big hit.
What Tampa Bay needs is exactly what Sadiq would provide. He’s a big, 6-foot-3 target with explosive traits, making him a matchup nightmare for opponents. Mayfield could get him the ball in space to let him use his after-the-catch ability to move the sticks or fire jump balls to him in the back of the end zone. I really like this match.
Yahoo Sports’ Staff (Jan. 19)
No. 15 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
Every position group on Tampa Bay’s defense could use an upgrade, but the Bucs get a strong cornerback prospect here in Terrell, younger brother of Falcons star cornerback A.J. Avieon can come in and make Tampa’s blitz-happy defense a little more sound by giving the Bucs sticky coverage on the back end they’ve been missing.
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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