While I’ve always maintained that grading a draft should be reserved for a few years post-selection, it’s still valuable to share initial opinions. Here’s mine.
You have to start with a team’s first pick. In the case of the Bucs, selecting Rueben Bain Jr. at 15 might be the most universally accepted choice among ownership, front office, coaches, and fans. Bain, who fell to this spot, is arguably the most dominant edge pass rusher from last season, finishing with 5 sacks in 4 College Football Playoff games. That’s impressive production!
The Bain pick has to earn an A+ grade right after the draft weekend, setting a strong tone for the overall grade regardless of subsequent picks. First-round selections are expected to contribute significantly during the 2026 season, and while second and third-round picks ideally provide valuable snaps, anything beyond that is considered a bonus. Here’s where I see some potential issues that could affect the overall draft grade.
Before I share my Overall Draft Grade, let’s break down each pick:
1st Round: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
In my previous mock draft, I had the Bucs selecting Bain’s teammate, Ahkeem Mesidor, because I didn’t expect Bain to be available at #15. While I would have been satisfied with Mesidor before the Bain drop, I’m elated with the Bain selection. He brings the consistent outside pass rush the Bucs have lacked since the 2020 and 2021 seasons, keeping opposing quarterbacks awake at night before games. I do have some reservations about the Bucs’ ability to develop an outside linebacker’s pass rush skills, but Bain was well-coached in college.
It will be up to Coach Todd Bowles to maximize his attributes. Lean into each player’s strengths and let Bain and Yaya Diaby go after the quarterback, instead of dropping into the flats. Imagine the havoc Bain, Diaby, Kancey, and Vea could wreak on third downs with their pass-rushing ability while the other seven defenders focus on coverage. Grade: A+
2nd Round: Josiah Trotter, ILB, Missouri
I previously drafted Trotter in the 4th round in earlier mocks and even considered him in the 3rd. However, the 2nd round feels a bit high, especially with other talent available. Trotter is a downhill player with a solid tackle success rate, but he tends to leave his feet too early, which could hinder him at the NFL level.
I like Trotter as a player, but I question where he was selected. The Bucs may have been caught off guard when the Dolphins drafted Jacob Rodriguez just before their pick, leading me to believe they didn’t secure the best player available at that moment. I had multiple linebackers ranked higher who were still on the board, such as CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr., and Kaleb Elarms-Orr. Elarms-Orr, who could have been a steal in the 4th round, showcased sideline-to-sideline capabilities with 125+ tackles in 2026 and demonstrated blitzing skills. We’ll see how Trotter performs in the coming years. Grade: C+
3rd Round: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Hurst has immense potential at 6’4″ and 206 pounds, and I see him as a candidate for the future X receiver (though I prefer him as a Z). While there’s a desire to replace Mike Evans, let’s not jump the gun just yet. Evans was a 7th overall pick; Hurst is the 84th. The Bucs have taken mid-round receivers before, hoping to find hidden gems, only to realize they were just average.
I like the pick, but I would have preferred to address other needs. It wouldn’t have hurt to select Daylen Everette, a corner out of Georgia, who went just a few picks later. Everette, standing 6’1″ and running a 4.38 40, would fit Bowles’ Cover 3/Cover 4 schemes nicely. Grade: B
4th Round: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
Scott offers strong value at the 116th overall pick. He’s a dynamic leader with big-play potential. I’ve consistently advocated for Bowles to bring in corners for nickel roles instead of relying on safeties, and hopefully, Scott will fill that role. While I wouldn’t have minded the Bucs selecting Kyle Louis (ILB out of Pittsburgh) or Fernando Carmona (G, Arkansas) here, Scott is a solid addition. Grade: B
5th Round: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
Capehart is primarily a run-stuffer and fits best in a 2-gap defense, which isn’t the Bucs’ scheme. He may not have the quickest first step, but he holds his own in one-on-one blocks. While he may not be a flashy pick and lacks significant pass-rushing ability, he can effectively clog run lanes. Grade: B-
5th Round: Billy Schrauth, G, Notre Dame
Schrauth isn’t the quickest or strongest lineman but is technically sound. He logged plenty of snaps for the Fighting Irish and is a smart player. However, I question whether he has the talent to become a consistent starter on Sundays. Carmona (mentioned above) is a more talented option. Grade: C+
6th Round: Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU
I’m not sure about this pick. Sharp has receiving skills as a tight end but lacks blocking ability. At 6’5″, his height is promising, but I’m skeptical about a tight end who can’t block. I would have preferred Dallen Bentley (TE, Utah), who was the second to last player picked in the 7th round. Bentley is a solid blocker and could have stepped in as the #2 tight end. This selection leaves me puzzled—perhaps someone in the organization has a connection to Sharp? Grade: D
Overall Score: B
The Bucs nailed their most crucial pick with first-round edge Rueben Bain Jr. Everything else feels like a bonus, though they sometimes seem to lose focus after making a solid selection.
I hope Trotter can hit the ground running, but I suspect some weaknesses might emerge as liabilities at the NFL level. I also hope Ted Hurst can demonstrate he was a viable Power 5 contributor. My best hope for immediate impact lies with Keionte Scott, who may help fill the void left by Christian Izien.
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