BR’s 2026 Buccaneers 3-Round Mock Draft 2.0

Pros:

• Explosive Start: Howell has a lightning-quick first step, creating immediate separation from tackles and showcasing his ankle flexibility to bend around the edge.
•  Relentless Motor: He’s got a high-energy engine, pursuing plays across the formation with relentless energy from snap one to the final whistle.
• Scheme Versatility: Howell demonstrates impressive adaptability, dropping into coverage against tight ends while maintaining awareness in run fits.
• Pass-Rush Arsenal: He boasts multiple moves, including an effective inside counter, keeping tackles guessing on their sets.
• Bend and Flatten: His natural bend around the arc allows him to consistently threaten the quarterback’s back shoulder.
• Football IQ: Howell shines in complex situations, rarely fooled by misdirection or caught sleeping on RPO action.
• Active Hands: He shows advanced hand-fighting technique, winning leverage battles with active hands and violent swipes.

Cons:

• Anchor Strength: Howell struggles to hold the point of attack against power-gap schemes and double teams, lacking the anchor strength needed.
• Closing Speed: He sometimes lacks the closing speed in the backfield, allowing quarterbacks to escape potential sacks.
• Coverage Experience: Howell has limited experience in coverage situations, which may lead to growing pains in complex zone packages at the next level.
• Stack-and-Shed Technique: His technique needs refinement when facing offensive tackles in run defense, particularly when they get their hands on him.
• Competition Level: Questions remain about his experience playing in the MAC before moving to the SEC, potentially impacting his adjustment to stronger competition.

Summary:

Players like Howell with similar athletic profiles often exceed expectations when they land in the right system, but can get lost if misused or rushed into roles they’re not ready for. His jump from the MAC to the SEC shows he can handle tougher competition, but questions linger about whether his production was due to his skills or playing with higher-profile teammates. The ceiling’s high for a guy with his speed and bend, but the floor’s a situational pass rusher who struggles when teams run at him.

Round – 2, Buccaneers’ Pick 46: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

HT: 6’4
WT: 240 lbs

Accolades:

• First-team All-Big 12 (2025)

Video:

Pros:

• Athletic Profile: Golday’s 6’4″ frame and sub-4.6 speed make him a freak athlete, checking all boxes for a modern NFL linebacker.
• Closing Speed: He has a sudden, violent closing burst in open fields, allowing him to quickly erase cushion and catch ball carriers or quarterbacks.
• Contact: Golday fires into contact with pop, showing knockback power against tight ends and fullbacks.
• Range: His sideline-to-sideline speed and pursuit angles are impressive, chasing plays down from the backside and recovering quickly.
• Tackling: He wraps up reliably in space, finishing most tackle opportunities with solid fundamentals.
• Pass Rush: Golday’s defensive end background gives him a developed pass rush repertoire, creating pressure on third downs.
• Motor: He plays with consistent energy, pursuing every play with urgency, especially in critical fourth-quarter moments.
• Blocking: Golday takes on blocks with proper hand placement, improving his ability to stack and shed.

Cons:

• Zone Coverage Awareness: Golday struggles with zone coverage, drifting from assignments and getting manipulated by route combinations.
• Power vs. OL: He gets overwhelmed by ascending OL, lacking functional power to disengage or counter blockers.
• Run Diagnosis: Golday’s instincts lag behind his athleticism, causing him to arrive late at the fit point.
• Lower Body Strength: His lean build limits anchoring ability, getting washed out by power blocks.
• Backfield Vision: Golday’s eyes get stuck, failing to read QB vision and anticipate throws, leaving passing lanes open.

Summary:

Golday’s got the physical tools to be a difference-maker, but his processing speed and technique need work. He could develop into a three-down defender with the right system and coaching. However, adjusting to a traditional NFL defense from Cincinnati’s 3-3-5 scheme will be a challenge. Golday needs to improve his zone discipline, keys, and strength vs. blockers.

Round – 3, Buccaneers’ Pick 77: Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida

HT: 6’4
WT: 304 lbs

Accolades:

• First-team All-American (2024)
• 2× First-team All-SEC (2024, 2025)

Video:

Pros:

• Pass protection is a strength, with serious core strength and ability to sink hips under pressure (1 sack allowed in 800 snaps)
• Sees the game at a different speed, identifying stunts and adjusting protections with ease
• Generates push in the run game with hands inside and creates interior running lanes
• Works hard to finish blocks and climbs to the second level with intent
• Pulls cleanly for a 304-pound center, staying balanced and adjusting to moving targets
• Solid knee bend, pad level, and leverage, holding ground against bigger defenders
• Durable, taking every snap over two seasons without missing time
•  Two-time captain, commanding respect in the huddle and setting the standard for preparation and competition

Cons:

• He sometimes leans on his hands too much against quick counters instead of using footwork to stay square.
• His recovery speed can be a concern when rushers move laterally on the edge.
• He doesn’t always finish his blocks through the whistle, especially when defenders engage in late hand fighting.
• On plays where the quarterback extends the snap, he can let opponents disengage more than desired.
• Reaching quick three-techniques on stretch plays, particularly when gaps are shot hard, is another challenge.
•  He sometimes forces backs to bounce outside on wide-zone plays because he can’t consistently cut off penetration.
• At times, he plays too aggressively, lunging at defenders on stunts rather than staying patient.
• Trusting his footwork more when faced with games and twists could help, as he currently tends to guess instead of read.
•  Adding some mass to his lower half might help him hold up better against pure power, as he occasionally gets walked back by big bodies on bull rushes.

Summary:

Jake Slaughter is a highly regarded center prospect, projected to be a late first or early second-round pick. He’s considered a day-one starter with exceptional pass protection skills, and his ceiling includes Pro Bowl potential if he refines his run game. Teams prioritizing pass protection and intelligence will likely place him in the late first round conversation. Slaughter’s consistency over three years as Florida’s starter and his performance in the Senior Bowl demonstrate his ability to compete at a high level.

While he may not be a top-tier center like Creed Humphrey or Jason Kelce, he’s a safe pick who can anchor a position for a decade with proper health. This makes him a valuable asset for teams seeking a plug-and-play starter.