The midway point of October has come and gone, and one-third of the 2026 NFL season is already over. For the 1-5 Bucs, this is a campaign that has been nothing short of catastrophically disappointing. Of course, you already know that, and it didn’t take you reading the headline for a mock draft roundup on Oct. 21 to discover it. This has been a terrible six weeks for Buccaneer football. And there’s little reason to believe it’ll get that much better.

Yes, anything can happen in the NFC South, especially for a Tampa Bay team that is about to play its first two NFC South opponents of the season in Weeks 7 and 8. Even at 1-5, the Bucs aren’t out of it just yet because they play in the league’s worst division. But with the way this offense has operated, the team’s inability to do the little things right to win close games and how little margin for error there is over the next 12 weeks, it’s hard to have much hope.

So, where do you turn? Plenty (including myself) will look to the World Series-bound Tampa Bay Rays. Others might look to hockey or basketball season. Some may shift their attention to the rest of the NFL world. But there will undoubtedly be plenty of Bucs diehards out there who are ready to move all the way ahead to what the 2027 offseason might look like for their favorite football team. Right now, it could and should feature a transition from the Todd Bowles era to a new era under a new coaching staff. And as of this writing, it’ll also feature a top-five draft pick for Tampa Bay.

With that last piece in mind, why not get another look at some of the way-too-early mock drafts that are hitting the internet day in and day out? Our last Bucs mock draft roundup came on Sept. 30, and it featured Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons and LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green, among others. As we take another look just a short few weeks later, some more names are circulating.

Now, October mock drafts are more about getting an early read on some of the top prospects and getting familiar with some of the top names to know. With college football being as volatile as it is, prospects play their way into and out of the spotlight by the week (with Texas quarterback Arch Manning a very recent example).  But it’s still worth a look to get our eyes on some names, right? So, here goes.

Bucs 2027 Mock Draft Roundup: One-Third Of The Way Through 2026…

Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings

Published Oct. 3

Round 1, Pick 9: Ole Miss DT Will Echoles

“With Calijah Kancey’s future uncertain, Will Echoles makes sense as a 6’3″, 315-pound lineman who can stack blocks, reset the point, and penetrate 1-on-1 alongside Vita Vea with his compact power, fast-striding acceleration, bend, and hand usage working gaps.”

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson

Published Oct. 5

Indiana WR Charlie Becker – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Round 1, Pick 9: Indiana WR Charlie Becker

“Becker is the king of the back-shoulder throw, but he also has legit deep speed and would give the Bucs a big-bodied deep target in a post-Mike Evans world.”

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo

Published Oct. 5

Round 1, Pick 3: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

“It’s peculiar to witness the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this high up in the draft order. But they’re 0-4 and appear headed for a top-10 selection. Among many issues, the pass rush hasn’t reflected Todd Bowles’ usual units. Texas’ Colin Simmons has been downright dominant while establishing himself as EDGE1.”

Draftwire’s Paul M. Banks

Published Oct. 5

Round 1, Pick 3: Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

“Michigan State Coach Pat Fitzgerland said this guy should be the #1 overall pick in the draft for a reason.”

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner

Published Oct. 7

Round 1, Pick 3: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

“The most polished pass rusher in the class, Simmons is up to 18 pressures and 7.5 sacks over the college football season’s first month. The 6-3, 255-pounder is a three-down weapon with a deep bag of tricks.”

FOX Sports’ Rob Rang

Published Oct. 8

Round 1, Pick 3: Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

“Even with Baker Mayfield extended on a three-year, $165 million dollar deal, I wouldn’t put it past longtime general manager Jason Licht to draft a quarterback here, should he see one of this year’s candidates as a future franchise signal-caller — especially if Jalon Daniels doesn’t impress in his spot duty while Mayfield recovers from a thumb injury. Nabbing Moore — one of the cleanest cornerback prospects I’ve seen in my nearly 30 years of scouting — would be a helluva consolation prize.”

Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice

Published Oct. 8

Round 1, Pick 3: Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

“Moore is the other prospect I consider in the elite “purple chip” tier in this draft class. And like Smith, he’s one of the best prospects I’ve seen at his position. An ideal mix of size, length, smooth athleticism, and advanced technique and understanding for playing his position. Moore gives the Buccaneers an elite player who can be a linchpin on the backend of their defense for years.”

Yahoo! Sports’ Eric Edholm

Published Oct. 9

Round 1, Pick 3: Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

“The Bucs have limited their flexibility with the Baker Mayfield extension and would have a hard time moving him next season without a significant salary cap hit, but landing this high in the draft would lead to some interesting QB conversations come draft time. If they’re less inclined to go that direction, drafting an elite corner such as Moore would be reasonable. He is one of the best CB prospects to come along since at least Sauce Gardner.”

Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante

Published Oct. 10

Round 1, Pick 5: Indiana WR Charlie Becker

“It’s possible the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just eat the sunken cost on Baker Mayfield’s extension and draft a quarterback in Round 1, but I doubt that will be the case. With the No. 5 pick in this instance, it could be helpful for their woeful offense to bring in a potential superstar at wide receiver.

“Off a small sample size, Charlie Becker looked like a future NFL starter in the second half of the 2025 season for Indiana. He’s carried that over to 2026, where he’s currently thriving as Indiana’s WR1. Becker uses his 6’4″, 209-pound frame to excel above the rim. He has fantastic hands, very good ball skills, impressive deep speed, and he can work the stem to exploit leverage points against different coverage looks.”

Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness

Published Oct. 13

Oregon QB Dante Moore – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Round 1, Pick 5: Oregon QB Dante Moore

“Baker Mayfield‘s contract extension keeps him with the Buccaneers through at least 2027, but the team has flexibility beyond that, and Mayfield will be 33 during the 2028 season. Moore earned a 90.2 PFF grade in 2025 and produced a 4.0% big-time throw rate compared to a 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate before suffering a concussion this season. If Mayfield improves on his early-season play when he returns from injury, the Buccaneers likely won’t be in a position to draft Moore. However, if they are, they should take a serious look at the available quarterback prospects.”

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski

Published Oct. 14

Round 1, Pick 5: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

“Team Fit: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just selected Rueben Bain Jr. in this year’s first round. However, Bain has disappointed to start his career. Colin Simmons does provide an ideal complementary skill set if/when Bain blossoms. Also, veteran edge-defender Yaya Diaby is a free agent after this season.

“Scout’s Take: Simmons entered the season as B/R’s top edge defender, and he’s currently leading the FBS with 9.5 sacks through five games. On top of his natural pass-rush skills and athleticism, the Longhorn has added an impressive up-and-under move to get after the quarterback.

“Prospects Considered: DL Will Echoles, Ole Miss; Edge Dylan Stewart, South Carolina”

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

Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling

Published Oct. 15

Round 1, Pick 5: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

“Todd Bowles’ defense has been solid to start the 2026 season, but the pass rush is still lacking with top pick Rueben Bain Jr. playing through multiple injuries. They could use another high-end edge rusher on the other side (even if Yaya Diaby is re-signed), and Simmons has the versatility to line up all over the front seven, which would give Bowles another valuable weapon for his complex scheme that’s filled with creative blitz packages.”

Tankathon

Published Oct. 18

Round 1, Pick 4: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

Round 2, Pick 35: Missouri OT/IOL Cayden Green

Round 3, Pick 68: Kentucky DL Tavion Gadson

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards

Published Oct. 19

Round 1, Pick 12: LSU TE Trey’Dez Green

“Traits reign supreme in the NFL Draft. Although Trey’Dez Green has missed almost all of the season due to a lower-body injury, he is 6-foot-7-inches and has the athleticism to make the most of that size advantage. Baker Mayfield had been accustomed to having a big body in the pass game like Mike Evans, so Green allows him that advantage once again.”