The Bucs have the benefit of a Week 10 bye, which splits their 2026 season into two nearly perfect halves. They’ve played nine games and have eight more to go, with the second half officially getting underway next Sunday, Nov. 22, against the Lions in Detroit.
This has been a weird season for Tampa Bay in a lot of ways, but perhaps the best way to boil it down is that halfway through it, it’s hard to tell whether this team will be back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus or if it’ll be picking inside the top 10 when the 2027 NFL Draft comes around in April.
The Bucs are within a half-game of first place in the NFC South, and at 2-0 within the division, playoff projections have them with the best odds of claiming the NFC South title. And that’ll still be the case following their Week 10 bye.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
The fact that only two of the remaining eight games on the Bucs’ schedule come against teams currently above .500 will help Tampa Bay, too. Outside of Detroit (6-2) in Week 11 and the Los Angeles Rams (5-4) in Week 17, the remaining slate includes games against Carolina (3-5), the Los Angeles Chargers (0-8), Baltimore (4-5), New Orleans (3-5), Atlanta (3-6) and New Orleans again (3-5).
But the reality is that even a division title and a home playoff game is, in all likelihood, going to just lead to another first-round exit and a draft pick closer to No. 20 overall than No. 10. So, some already have their eyes on the future, which could end up including a new head coach and coaching staff, departures for some longtime Buccaneers and an influx of new talent.
That brings us to the latest 2027 mock drafts. At 3-6, the Bucs are currently slated to have the No. 8 overall pick next April, though the weirdness of this season and the NFC South could drop them lower by the end of the regular season in January. The 8-9, division-winning Panthers, for example, had the No. 19 pick in the 2026 Draft.
Updated top-10 NFL Draft order:
1. Chargers (0-8)
2. Titans (1-7)
3. Dolphins (1-7)
4. Jets via IND (2-7)
5. Eagles (2-7)
6. Jets (2-7)
7. Commanders (2-5-1)
8. Buccaneers (3-6)
9. Cardinals (3-6)
10. Falcons (3-6)— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 9, 2026
Only time will tell, but for now, let’s see what names are being floated as potential fits for Tampa Bay in the upcoming draft class, shall we?
Bucs 2027 Mock Draft Roundup: Halfway Home In 2026
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Texas EDGE Colin Simmons (2026 stats: 25 tackles, 17 solo, 10.5 sacks, 16.0 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR in 7 games)
Texas EDGE Colin Simmons – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect
“Team Fit: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter this offseason without YaYa Diaby under contract. Maybe Vita Vea also gets what he originally wanted a few months ago, which was a trade. Either way, the Bucs could use reinforcements along their defensive front. Texas’ Colin Simmons is the most consistent and productive pass-rusher in next year’s class. He could pair with Rueben Bain Jr. to create a dynamic duo working off the edges.
Scout’s Take: Unfortunately, a sprained ankle put a bit of a halt to Simmons’ impressive 2026 campaign. But the injury has been the only thing slowing him down since the Texas product still leads the country with 10.5 sacks despite missing two games. His production is obvious: He has collected 31.5 career sacks so far. He still has an opportunity to play in a handful of games before this season ends.
Prospects Considered: DL Will Echoles, Ole Miss; WR Jackson Harris, LSU”
Draft Countdown’s Brian Bosarge
Round 1, Pick No. 8: South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart (2026 stats: 13 tackles, 11 solo, 2.0 sacks 4.5 TFL, 3 FF in 6 games)
“Stewart possesses raw, explosive bend off the edge and can overpower tackles with a relentless motor. Tampa Bay adds a high-upside pass rusher who can instantly energize their defensive front.”
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner
Round 1, Pick No. 14: Texas WR Cam Coleman (2026 stats: 23 catches, 409 yards. 17.8 avg., 7 TD in 8 games)
“It’s been a frustrating year offensively for Texas, and Coleman is no exception. On pure potential, though, the 6-foot-3 playmaker is a top-10 talent.”
Official Mock Draft Database Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Ole Miss DL Will Echoles (2026 stats: 22 tackles, 7 solo, 2.5 sacks, 5.0 TFL, 3 PD in 9 games)
Indiana WR Charlie Becker – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Indiana WR Charlie Becker (2026 stats: 50 catches, 875 yards, 17.5 avg., 9 TD in 9 games)
“Even if Chris Godwin Jr. returns, the Bucs need to add more size and playmaking ability to their receiver room next year, and Becker would be the perfect addition.”
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Alabama DL Devan Thompkins (2026 stats: 33 tackles, 15 solo, 5.0 sacks, 6.5 TFL, 1 FF in 9 games)
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will address the trenches this offseason. Head coach Todd Bowles will appreciate Devan Thompkins’ inside-outside versatility. The Alabama defensive lineman plays with size and toughness.”
ESPN First Draft’s Field Yates
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Georgia LB Chris Cole (2026 stats: 58 tackles, 41 solo, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 TFL, 3 PD, 3 FR, 2 Fumble Recovery TDs in 9 games)
“Is this the biggest need? It’s not, probably not. Josiah Trotter has been an excellent player for them in his rookie season. They’ve gotten quality snaps from Alex Anzalone, a heartbeat player, a communicator, can fly around. I think probably in a perfect world, I would give the Buccaneers an offensive weapon. I’m not taking a running back… Wide receiver [was] a consideration there. Cam Coleman, there’s still some work to do there.
Georgia LB Chris Cole – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Chris Cole, though, would give you stand-up linebacker play, but also some pass rush juice off the edge. The Buccaneers, I think, still need more from their pass rushing group. Their first-round pick this past year, Rueben Bain Jr., did have that forced fumble on Sunday night. He’s been a little better of late, but not a consistent quarterback irratator. Chris Cole, stand-up inside linebacker who can rush as well, has some Arvell Reese in his game.”
Tankathon
Round 1, Pick No. 8: Ole Miss DL Will Echoles (2026 stats: 22 tackles, 7 solo, 2.5 sacks, 5.0 TFL, 3 PD in 9 games)
Bailey Adams is in his fifth year with Pewter Report. Born and raised in Tampa, he has closely followed the Bucs all his life and has covered them in some capacity since 2016. In addition to his responsibilities as a beat writer, he also contributes to the site as an editor. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2019 and currently co-hosts The Pegasus Podcast, a podcast dedicated to covering UCF Football.
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