With my first mock draft of 2026, I started with a bang. I traded away the Bucs’ 15th overall pick and a 5th-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for their 23rd overall pick, 54th overall pick, and 122nd overall pick. As I see it, having the 15th pick puts the Bucs in a tough spot—by the time we’re on the clock, the top prospects will likely be gone. If players like Styles, Downs, or Bain fall to us, I’d stay at 15 and pick, but I doubt any will drop that far. If they’re gone, I’d look to trade down. With the trade down, I’m pleasantly surprised to see CJ Allen still available at 23, and I think the value is too good to pass up.
If the draft unfolds as I envision, I’ll be thrilled. This strategy allows the Bucs to address key positions of need while adding much-needed athleticism to a defense that requires it. While Bowles has mentioned getting bigger, size alone without athleticism doesn’t help. We added a big DT/DE in free agency, and this draft can provide us with size from our 2nd second-round pick while boosting athleticism across the board. It also addresses offensive line depth and potentially fills the void at X receiver.
Buccaneer Blitz’s 1st Mock Draft
1st Round: CJ Allen – LB, Georgia
If we can snag CJ Allen with the 23rd overall pick, the Bucs would be ecstatic. While I prefer the Ohio State linebacker, he’ll likely be gone by our turn. Allen is a “green dot” play-calling, downhill tackling machine from a winning program. He started as a true freshman against Ole Miss, recording nine tackles and a sack. By 2025, he was calling defensive plays for the Bulldogs.
The Bucs currently lack a true “Mike” middle linebacker on the roster. Allen has elite run-defense skills, excels at shedding blocks, and rarely misses tackles. While he may not be a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, he fits the role Bowles needs for his defense to function effectively.
2nd Round: Cashius Howell – Edge, Texas A&M
If Howell falls to us in the second round, the Bucs would be thrilled to draft him. He possesses the explosive first step I look for in elite players, along with a diverse set of pass-rush moves. His natural bend is characteristic of many top pass rushers.
While Howell may not contribute significantly during his rookie year, his explosiveness and bend should be useful at some point. Ideally, he’ll be able to contribute on passing downs by mid-season, showcasing the athleticism to outperform his smaller stature.
2nd Round: Darrell Jackson Jr. – DT, Florida State
If Coach Bowles genuinely wants to get bigger, this is his opportunity. At 6’5″ and 335 pounds, Jackson could eventually replace Vita Vea. Despite his size, he has a quick first step, and his 35-inch arms and 7-foot-2 wingspan can disrupt passing lanes.
While Jackson can play with a high pad level at times—a concern I had with Logan Hall—his size allows for a bit more leeway. He could immediately contribute in run defense and goal-line situations.
3rd Round: Kyle Louis – LB, Pittsburgh
Bear with me for a second. I’ve focused on run defense with my first and third picks, while aiming for pass defense with my second and fourth selections. Bowles’ scheme prioritizes dominating run defense on early downs, but that means the back six must be athletic and rangy, which is where Louis fits in.
Although I see Louis as a linebacker/safety tweener, placing such a player at safety in the NFL can set them up for failure. I’d like to see Bowles utilize Louis in situations where offenses come out in 11 personnel on first down. Instead of sticking with three DL and two OLBs, he could opt for four down linemen and three off-ball linebackers, with Louis as one of those LBs. His coverage skills and closing speed can enhance both early down pass coverage and run defense from the weakside LB role in a 4-3 (or as a slot LB). Historically, teams have succeeded against Bowles’ defense on first downs, and this personnel could help counter that trend.
Pittsburg Linebacker, Kyle Louis
4th Round: Isaiah World – OT, Oregon
World fits Bowles’ desire to add size, this time on the offensive line. Standing at 6’8″ and weighing around 315-320 pounds, he boasts elite arm length at 34.5 inches. He has the potential to be an exceptional pass-blocker in the NFL and has experience starting at both right and left tackle in college.
4th Round: Chris McClellan – DT, Missouri
The Bucs can never have enough big defensive linemen, and McClellan adds to that depth. At 6’4″ and 313 pounds, he racked up 133 tackles and 17 sacks during his college career. He would immediately help clog running lanes and has potential as a pass rusher.
6th Round: Jeff Caldwell – WR, Cincinnati
Caldwell stands at 6’5″ and weighs 216 pounds. He recorded 32 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns in 2026. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, they’re solid for a sixth-round pick. He brings the size of an X receiver, which is currently lacking on this team.
7th Round: Drew Allar – QB, Penn State
I like Allar’s potential. His size, athleticism, and arm strength are impressive. If he can put it all together, he could become a game-changer. That’s exactly what you should be looking for with a seventh-round pick.