JT’s Buccaneers’ Post Free Agency Mock Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the process of re-shaping their roster. Free agency is under way and the Bucs have both added key players and lost key players. We are starting to get a clear picture of what this roster will look like in 2026.

Now we can begin to more accurately project what this team will do in the draft. Free agency has addressed some needs, but others still remain. Here is my Buccaneers post free agency mock draft.

*TRADE: Buccaneers receive picks 23, 68 and 122 – Eagles receive pick 15

*Pick 23: Cashius Howell, DE/EDGE, Texas A&M 

Howell has incredibly short arms for the position and if he succeeds in the NFL then he would be an outlier with arms that short. However, he is also the perfect fit for the Buccaneers. So trading back and still grabbing their much needed pass rusher here makes sense.

The 2025 South Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year brings speed and bend off the edge. Howell plays off that explosiveness brilliantly by putting blockers on their heels and then hitting them with power. In terms of pass rush skill, you won’t find many better options in this year’s class. 

Pick 46: Christen Miller, DL, Georgia 

The Bucs beefed up on their defensive line this offseason and I expect that to continue in the draft. With the addition of A’Shawn Robinson on the interior, I expect the team to target more of a big body defensive end type for this 3-4 defense. Miller fits that bill.

A powerful run stuffer, Miller played all over the defensive line in college including at nose tackle. He has good athletic ability and a motor that won’t quit. Pass rush might only ever be average at best, but this is a high floor run defender. 

*Pick 68: Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M 

This might be my favorite player in the entire draft. York has a combination of speed, toughness and intelligence that are hard to match. He’s short as a sub 6 foot linebacker, but he makes up for that with strength (his 25 reps on the bench press were just as many as star Alabama offensive tackle Kaydn Proctor).

I won’t sit here and tell you that this is the next Lavonte David. However, the profile of an undersized linebacker who plays with great instincts, speed and physicality sure does sound familiar. 

Pick 77: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State 

Mike Evans is gone and now the Bucs lack a true outside receiver with size. Hurst can give them that element to replace Evans; at least in terms of prototype. At 6  ‘4 and 206 lbs, this is the big body pass catcher that the team currently lacks.

However, Hurst also brings the speed to threaten defenses down the field. He ran a 4.42 in the 40 yard dash at the combine. Between his field stretching and his ability to go up and get the ball, Hurst can be 75% of what the Buccaneers lost in Evans.

Pick 116: Matt Gulbin, IOL, Michigan State 

The Bucs need depth on their interior offensive line. Gulbin fits the bill as someone who has starting experience at every interior position, including center all of last year. He brings strength and mobility that make him a well rounded blocker who could be a starter down the line.

*Pick 122: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford 

The return of Cade Otton means the Bucs have their starting tight end. Unfortunately, there is very little on the depth chart behind him. Raush is a mauling blocker with excellent athletic ability. This is someone who can do all the dirty work as a blocker and gash a defense on the occasional target on roll outs.

Pick 155: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California 

No team can have enough depth at cornerback. And with Zyon McCollum coming off a shaky year, it would be best to draft a developmental player who could be developed into a starter in time. Masses has both the physical tools and ball skills that Todd Bowles will love to get his hands on.

Pick 195: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State 

One linebacker really isn’t enough to fix all the Bucs issues. Elliott is a well rounded linebacker who should fit well into this defense. He’ll be depth, but if he’s called upon then this is an upgrade over SirVocea Dennis.

Pick 229: Jalen Huskey, Safety, Maryland 

The Bucs have two very good safeties, but both are better in the box. Huskey is a converted cornerback who brings single high range. He brings depth and flexibility to the back end of the defense.