Writing The Ship: Predicting The Pewter Draft – Offense

The NFL Draft is this week! After months of studying these prospects, we will finally know who the newest members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be. At this point, it is anybody’s guess.

With that said, here is my best guess. What players I think the Buccaneers are most likely to draft. One player that I’m planting my flag on for the Bucs at each position for each of the three days.

This is my 2026 predicting the pewter for the offense.

Offensive Line

Day one – Vega Ioane, Penn State

I’m a believer that elite strengths win championships. And while one of the best offensive lines in the NFL already, if the Bucs add Ioane then they would truly become a nightmare upfront for opposing defenses. Some believe he is the best offensive lineman in the draft and it’s easy to understand why.

Ioane is extremely powerful. He’s a power player at 6 ‘4 and 320 lbs who can stream roll defensive tackles on double teams. He’s also an elite pass blocker who you just can’t run through and is too quick to run around.

Day Two – Logan Jones, Iowa

In terms of mentality, there isn’t a player I like more than Jones in the entire draft. He brings the fight to defensive tackles with excellent quickness and good strength. Call him scrappy or feisty, but I love his “in your face” attitude.

The Bucs interior offensive line depth was bad last year. They don’t have a backup center who can be trusted to take the field. Getting Jones fills that need now and he could potentially step in and start in 2027.

Day Three – Matt Gulbin, Michigan State

I love the versatility that Gulbin brings. He has a year starting experience at every interior offensive line position, so in terms of depth pieces he can do a lot of the OLine room.

Gulbin is both mobile and strong. He’s a very well rounded player who I think projects as a starter in the NFL. I would tell you that he’s a star in the making, but I believe he can be a Ben Bredeson level starter in the NFL. 

Backfield

Day One – Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love is in the conversation as the best player in the draft. He has a strong frame and speed to gash opposing defenses. He has been consistently compared to guys like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonothan Taylor in this draft cycle. 

What isn’t talked about enough is Love’s pass catching ability. He’s an ideal safety net for any quarterback. And while the blocking isn’t always perfect, Love is good enough to be a three down game changer.

Day Two – Mike Washington, Arkansas

You can’t physically build a better running back in a lab. Washington is 6 ‘1 and 225 lbs while running a 4.33 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. In terms of athletic gifts, there is a lot to like here. 

Washington had a top 30 visit with the Buccaneers. He also brings a size element that they just don’t have on the roster right now. I’m not sure how he would fit in exactly, but it’s hard not to like the idea of him being a part of the running back rotation.

Day Three – Joe Fagnano, Connecticut 

Most would agree that the Buccaneers probably aren’t looking for a quarterback early. However, with backup Jake Browning on just a one year deal, they could look to grab a young backup quarterback of the future. 

Fagnano threw 28 touchdowns and just 1 interception last season. His physical tools aren’t outstanding, but they are plenty good enough to get the job done. He’s a rhythm passer who can find the open man and get the ball out quickly. 

Wide Receiver

Day One – Denzel Boston, Washington

Boston is a big body receiver who would fill the void of X receiver. I wouldn’t compare him to Mike Evans, but it’s a similar skills set. Big with a large catch radius. Fluid and has really good ability to stop and start.

I don’t think he brings the deep ball element that Evans did and that’s okay. Boston should be a really good weapon at the NFL level. If I were choosing a player to compare him to then it would be Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London. 

Day Two – Ted Hurst, Georgia State

Hurst is a small school gem who has big time talent. The Buccaneers met with him at the NFL combine, so there’s a level of interest shown here. And if you’re looking for an Evans replacement then I understand why. 

At 6 ‘4 and 206 lbs, Hurst ran a 4.42 40 yard dash. His deep speed is noticeable and he plays off that well with stop on a dime comeback routes. This is very much how Evans won in the NFL level. I won’t go as far as to say that Hurst is that level of talent or refined, but it’s a similar skill set.

Day Three – Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Lance ran a 4.34 40 yard dash at the combine, which will only improve his draft stock. However, I’m not sure he plays that fast on the field. However, there is no denying that he has the build (6 ‘4 and 204 lbs) to be the X receiver that the Buccaneers might be looking for.

I love the way Lance changes gears while running routes. He uses that craftiness and his size to get open consistently. It will be a big jump in competition for the soon to be 24 year old, but he has the talent to make the NFL jump.

Tight End

Day One – Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon 

This is the bell of the ball in this tight end class. Sadiq tested like an elite athlete at the NFL combine. The 21 year old ran a 4.39 40-yard dash which is fast by wide receiver standards, let alone tight end.

These tools absolutely translate to the field. In terms of ass catchers and stretching the field, Sadiq is very good. He’s a legitimate play maker with all the explosiveness and agility to be a pro bowl tight end.

Combine that with some pretty good run blocking. Sadiq isn’t a mauling in line blocker, but he’s great on the move and working his way up to the second level. He makes blocks on linebackers that so often lead to touchdowns in the running game.

Sadiq is easily the best tight end in the class and I expect him to be off the board in the first 20 picks.

Day Two – Sam Roush, Stanford

I’m not sure how Roush hasn’t got more buzz in this draft class. He’s a fantastic blocker at nearly 270 lbs and a top tier athlete at the position. On top of that, he’s also the great nephew of Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, which gives him incredible lineage. 

Roush had 545 receiving yards last season, which was 10th among all tight ends in college football. That means he was highly productive at a power program; one that is historically known for developing great tight ends. It’s easy to see why he was so productive as a pass catcher because he runs good routes and makes plays with the ball in his hands.

I acknowledge that there were drop issues here last year. But even still, a guy who was this productive and is this athletic and is such a good blocker just screams of being a good NFL player. He can be “the blocking tight end” opposite Cade Otton and kill defenses with his speed on the simple backside roll out passes.

Day Three – Eli Raridon, Notre Dame

Raridon is both big and agile. He translates that into being a good blocker who works well in space. He’s not a people mover, but he’ll do well with pulls and zone concepts.

As a pass catcher, Raridon uses his nimble agility to work open. However, he isn’t an explosive athlete, so defenders can keep pace with him. But with his size and catch radius he only really needs a step on the defender to be able to bring in the catch.