The 2026 Senior Bowl is now in the books, which means we’re full speed ahead with NFL Draft season. The Bucs had representatives in Mobile, Alabama, last week to get a look at some of this year’s prospects, and up next will be the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the end of February.

This is a pivotal offseason for Todd Bowles and the Bucs, as they just missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2019 after turning a 6-2 start into an 8-9 finish. Bowles should start the 2026 season firmly on the hot seat in Tampa Bay, though general manager Jason Licht and his staff in the front office have plenty of work to do on the personnel side to get this roster to the point where it can be taken seriously as a real contender.

The Bucs badly need help on defense, especially at outside linebacker and inside linebacker. Defensive line is a need as well given Vita Vea’s age, as he turns 31 this offseason, Calijah Kancey’s injury history, and the potential that Logan Hall moves on to play elsewhere this offseason. Cornerback depth always remains a need, especially with Jamel Dean possibly leaving Tampa Bay this offseason as well. And on offense, tight end and running back, as well as interior offensive line depth, appear to be the big needs on new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s side of the ball.

While Pewter Report just published a pre-Senior Bowl mock draft roundup last week, a week’s worth of practices in Mobile and the game itself surely helped and hurt stocks of plenty of prospects all over the field. So, let’s check back in with the mock draft world with a post-Senior Bowl roundup, shall we?

Bucs Mock Draft Roundup: Post-2026 Senior Bowl

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm

Published Jan. 30

Round 1, Pick 15: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

“I could see the Bucs targeting some front-seven needs here, but they also can’t ignore the secondary, even after using a pair of Day 2 selections on it last year. Coming off a torn ACL, McCoy could have been a top-10 pick with a healthy 2025 season, projecting as a complete corner.”

Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante

Published Jan. 31

Round 1, Pick 15: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

Ohio State LB Sonny Styles – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Marc Lebryk

“Lavonte David has been a reliable force for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his whole career, but it becomes clear as each year passes that they haven’t properly invested in a long-term successor. They could finally do so in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Arvell Reese gets a lot of the draft hype in that Ohio State linebacker room, but Sonny Styles is a freak of nature in his own right. His instincts have shown plenty of improvement over time, and he’s an explosive, well-built athlete with a large tackling radius and the ability to make plays in coverage.”

Round 2, Pick 46: Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr.

“Darrell Jackson Jr. is a pro-ready run defender with extraordinary length, a nasty demeanor, and ample power at the point of attack. He’s a high-floor rotational lineman along the interior, but he also has some juice as a pass rusher up the middle.”

Round 3, Pick 77: Baylor TE Michael Trigg

“Michael Trigg has been on my draft radar for years due to his freakish athletic traits, but it wasn’t until 2025 that he put it all together. His large catch radius, fluidity, and ball skills should make him one of the first tight ends picked in the 2026 class.”

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox

Published Feb. 1

Round 1, Pick 15: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell

Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Troy Taormina

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson

Published Feb. 1

Round 1, Pick 15: Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk

“First, Faulk just turned 20 in September. Second, he’s unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn’t happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it’s going to be scary.”

ESPN.com’s Matt Miller

Published Feb. 2

Round 1, Pick 15: South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse

“If this were a seven-round mock draft, every Buccaneers pick might come on defense. Things are that bleak. One year after choosing wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 after a run on defensive players before their pick, the Bucs can’t afford to have defenders wiped off the board in April. Cisse has the length (6-foot, 190 pounds) to compete at the line of scrimmage, but it’s his turn technique and speed in phase that stands out.

Cisse’s best trait is his ability to eliminate targets and win in contested situations. Although he might be more of a man corner, he’s versatile enough to be effective playing off the line in the Bucs’ fire zone scheme thanks to very good recovery agility and fast instincts.”

Georgia LB CJ Allen – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Dale Zanine

Round 2, Pick 46: Georgia LB CJ Allen

“Lavonte David’s decline this season was stark. Although Allen doesn’t have David’s hallmark agility and range, he’s an impactful downhill linebacker who can clean up in the run game and be a force player on first and second downs.”

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema

Published Feb. 2 

Round 1, Pick 15: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell

“The Buccaneers’ lack of pass rush was a major reason why their defense fell flat down the stretch of the 2025 season. Howell earned elite 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades in each of the past three seasons, and he would immediately be Tampa Bay’s best pass rusher.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

Published Feb. 2

Round 1, Pick 15: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

“Styles is a safety-turned-linebacker who can run, fill his run fits and offer plus cover talent. He’s frequently compared to Fred Warner, which is about as big a compliment as you can get as an off-ball ‘backer.”