StickToTheModel.

2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

By | Published: December 08, 2025 | Updated: July 27, 2026 | 4 min read

Category: Mock Drafts

2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 7 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Overview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 7 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, Edge Rusher, Tight End.

Complete Draft Class:
  • Round 1 (#19): Darian Mensah, Quarterback,
  • Miami

    — Grade B+

  • Round 2 (#51): Anthony Smith, Edge Rusher,
  • Minnesota

    — Grade B

  • Round 3 (#83): Jayden Jackson, Defensive Line,
  • Oklahoma

    — Grade C+

  • Round 4 (#119): Niki Prongos, Offensive Tackle,
  • Stanford

    — Grade C

  • Round 5 (#159): Theo Melin Ohrstrom, Tight End,
  • SMU

    — Grade C-

  • Round 6 (#200): Christian Alliegro, Inside Linebacker,
  • Ohio State

    — Grade C-

  • Round 7 (#239): Antonio Kite, Cornerback,
  • Ole Miss

    — Grade C-

    View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

    ---

    Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

    Pick #19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darian Mensah, Quarterback,

    Miami

    Rank: #22 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:

    Critical need filled. Tampa Bay Buccaneers desperately needed Quarterback help (need #1), and Darian Mensah was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

    The Fit:

    Darian Mensah brings immediate impact to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mensah is a cerebral, accuracy-first pocket passer who has climbed onto 2027 radars after a meteoric rise from two-star San Luis Obispo recruit to ACC starter. He redshirted at Tulane in 2023, won the job in 2024 and threw for 2,723 yards with a 22:6... His best trait—elite accuracy and ball placement to all three levels, completing over 70% at duke while sustaining nearly nine yards per attempt—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Bo Nix (accuracy and processing carry a non-elite arm, system-fit precision passer)-type player at the NFL level.

  • Strengths: Elite accuracy and ball placement to all three levels, completing over 70% at Duke while sustaining nearly nine yards per attempt
  • Weaknesses: Undersized at roughly 205 pounds, raising real durability questions about absorbing NFL contact
  • NFL Comp: Bo Nix (accuracy and processing carry a non-elite arm, system-fit precision passer)
  • Full scouting report for Darian Mensah → | See Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round draft →

    ---

    Pick #51 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Smith, Edge Rusher,

    Minnesota

    Rank: #50 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:

    Critical need filled. Tampa Bay Buccaneers desperately needed Edge Rusher help (need #2), and Anthony Smith was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

    The Fit:

    Anthony Smith brings immediate impact to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A six-year college receiver who took the long road, Smith spent four sparsely-used seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to East Carolina and breaking out as the Pirates' top vertical threat. Scouts agree on the headline: this is a stra... His best trait—elite, track-grade vertical speed—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Marquez Valdes-Scantling (linear, pure straight-line deep threat with hands questions and a defined field-stretcher role)-type player at the NFL level.

  • Strengths: Elite, track-grade vertical speed
  • Weaknesses: Inconsistent hands and too many drops over his last two seasons (six drops in 2025)
  • NFL Comp: Marquez Valdes-Scantling (linear, pure straight-line deep threat with hands questions and a defined field-stretcher role)
  • Full scouting report for Anthony Smith → | See Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round draft →

    ---

    Pick #83 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayden Jackson, Defensive Line,

    Oklahoma

    Rank: #88 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:

    Best player available. Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed Quarterback help, but Jayden Jackson (ranked #88) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.

    The Fit:

    Jayden Jackson brings immediate impact to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jayden Jackson profiles as one of the most physically mature interior defensive linemen in the 2027 class, an Indianapolis-bred, IMG Academy-developed 322-pounder who has been a rotational fixture inside Oklahoma's front since his first SEC snap. He... His best trait—natural pad-level winner against taller interior blockers—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a D.J. Reader (run-stout 1-tech anchor with surprising quickness)-type player at the NFL level.

  • Strengths: Natural pad-level winner against taller interior blockers
  • Weaknesses: Pass-rush plan lacks counters beyond initial bull rush
  • NFL Comp: D.J. Reader (run-stout 1-tech anchor with surprising quickness)
  • Full scouting report for Jayden Jackson → | See Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round draft →

    ---

    Pick #119: Niki Prongos (Offensive Tackle,

    Stanford

    ) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

    Pick #159: Theo Melin Ohrstrom (Tight End,

    SMU

    ) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

    Pick #200: Christian Alliegro (Inside Linebacker,

    Ohio State

    ) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

    Pick #239: Antonio Kite (Cornerback,

    Ole Miss

    ) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

    ---

    Draft Class Summary

    Overall Grade: B | 7 positions addressed across 7 picks.

    ---

    More Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coverage

  • Draft Tampa Bay Buccaneers yourself →
  • Full 3-Round Mock Draft
  • Draft Big Board — 300+ prospects ranked
  • Draft Visit Tracker