My Final Mock Draft
My strategy this year was trade down in the first round for day 2 and 3 picks and take the BPA after that point.
Trades: Trade 1.15 for 1.23 & 2.54.
Trade 1.23 for 1.24 & 7.248.
Trade 1.24 for 1.32, 3.96, & 2027 fourth round pick. Trade 3.77, 4.116 & 7.248 for 2.59
1.32 - Jacob Rodriguez LB. The heir apparent to Lavonte David and since this a first round pick the 5 year rookie option will be available.
2.46 - Emmanuel Pregnon OG. IOL is a sneaky need this year with a lot of what ifs. Bredeson will be seeking a new contract and is solid but not outstanding guard. Mauch is coming off a season ending meniscus tear and has not played meaningful football since September 2025. Barton is a huge what if at this point as well.
2.54 Gabe Jacas EDGE. I think Jacas is quietly the most underrated Edge in the draft this year. He’s a huge specimen with the stats to back it up. The Bucs need a guy that produced in college, not another athletic freak that they hope will work out.
2.59 - Eli Stowers TE. The Bucs need a tight end that can catch and stretch the field. Otton is a jack of all trades that blocks better than he catches. Payne Durham is a great blocker with no hands, and Devin Culp is too slow to see the field. An actual receiving tight end can help fill the physical presence hole with Mike being gone.
3.96 - Devin Moore CB. I’m a gator fan so I have some bias, but Devin Moore really is that guy. He’s a great depth piece for the Bucs rotating door at CB. Also some competition for BMO and Zyon in training camp.
5.115 - Landon Robinson DT. This was a BPA pick, a great depth piece to shore up the front 7 cause boy does it need it. When Vita was off the field, the defense took a noticeable step back. The front seven needs higher floor depth.
6.195 - Jeff Caldwell WR. Caldwell probably won’t get very many meaningful snaps, but he is a big bodied receiver that the Bucs need with Mike Evans being gone. That doesn’t mean he’ll be an amazing redzone threat, but the Bucs do need some more vertical power in the WR room.
7.229 - Harold Perkins Jr LB. Despite his ACL tear in 2024, Perkins looked the part this year at LSU. Hopefully he can fight to be LB 4 or 5 by the start of the year.