The biggest silver lining to the Bucs’ season if it ended today: Tampa Bay could have the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Both the Bucs and Texans are 0-3 and have a .471 strength of schedule ranking.

That would also come with a bevy of organizational changes for this winless team. There is not much hope for an imminent turnaround, which makes the first mock draft roundup all the more interesting. Narrowing down the biggest team needs is difficult, given how many positions have struggled to produce.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The quarterback position would have been a much bigger debate – had Baker Mayfield not been given his three-year, $165 million contract extension. Adding a game-changing wide receiver can’t be ruled out to give Mayfield another weapon, especially as no wideout has yet to emerge as a No. 1 guy within this offense. It is unlikely the offensive line would be a priority with a Top 10 pick, given that the problems stem along the interior rather than at tackle.

Defensively, adding another outside pass rusher makes sense even after drafting Rueben Bain Jr. in 2026. Yaya Diaby will be a free agent and has done nothing to warrant a second contract in Tampa Bay. The defensive line could also use an upgrade over Calijah Kancey, who has disappointed and failed to make much of an impact. The jury is still out for the rest of the defense, as Alex Anzalone improved last week and was signed to a two-year deal to hold down inside linebacker with Josiah Trotter.

Todd Bowles’ secondary has held up as much as they can with no pass rush, with cornerback Zyon McCollum improving and defensive backs Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, Keionte Scott, and Tykee Smith remaining promising pieces. If the team wants to find a trade partner for safety Antoine Winfield Jr., addressing the backend is a possibility.

Safe to say, the Bucs could be looking to add players across the board.

One would think it wouldn’t be with the first overall pick, but who thought they would be sitting here 0-3 and without Mayfield for the next several weeks? Below are the latest mock drafts since September 17th, which have the team picking anywhere from first overall to 14th.

Given that is early in the year, some were done with current records in mind, while others were built on reverse Super Bowl odds.

It is never too early to look ahead at the upcoming NFL Draft, and there is no better place for Bucs draft coverage than PewterReport.com.

NFL Stock Exchange’s Trevor Sikkema And Connor Rogers (September 28th)

No. 1 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

Sikkema: Even though wide receiver is not the biggest, most dire need for the Buccaneers, the talent that this guy has — you just cannot pass it up. So, Jeremiah Smith going number one overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner (September 28th)

No. 8 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

Texas EDGE Colin Simmons – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Note: The draft order was determined using the reverse Super Bowl odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Simmons drops not because of anything he’s done this fall, but because the teams in front of the Bucs here seem very unlikely to take edge early yet again. Simmons leads all of college football this season with seven sacks. He’s a high-end speed rusher, which is a distinctly different type of edge than what the Bucs currently have on their roster.

Tankathon.com (September 28th)

No. 1 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

A To Z Sports’ Joe DeLeone And Ryan Roberts (September 25th)

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Arizona State WR Reed Harris

Arizona State WR Reed Harris – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Tampa Bay adds a big-bodied receiver with intriguing NFL potential.

Harris has the size, athleticism and ball skills to become a legitimate weapon on the outside. His ability to win at the catch point gives him a particularly interesting skill set in the red zone and on contested throws.

The Buccaneers would be adding another young offensive weapon capable of developing into a major part of their passing game.

Projection: Harris has the physical profile and receiving upside to remain firmly in the first-round conversation.

Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling (September 24th)

No. 10 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

It’s been a disappointing start for the Bucs, and if they don’t turn things around in a hurry, they could end up picking in this range come April. If that happens, and another blue-chip edge rusher like Simmons drops to them, I don’t think they would hesitate about adding him to the mix. Yaya Diaby is up for a new contract, and instead of overpaying to keep him, they could draft Simmons as the long-term running mate across from Rueben Bain Jr. on the edge of the defensive front.

Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano

No. 4 – Tampa Bay Bucs: Miami QB Darian Mensah

Miami QB Darian Mensah – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Mensah is closing the gap on Manning and Moore because of how polished he is as a passer. With his new surroundings in Miami, the 6’3″, 205-pound Duke transfer has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions while completing a sizzling 89.9% of his passes. He’ll need to prove it against better competition when the College Football Playoff rolls around. Still, at the moment, teams with mid-tier quarterbacks might be willing to ditch their current starter for Mensah and his pinpoint accuracy. Additionally, it hasn’t been the best start for Mayfield since his new contract extension.

The Ringer’s Todd McShay (September 17th)

No. 14 – Tampa Bay Bucs: LSU TE Trey’Dez Green