Later today, the on-field workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will officially be underway. Defensive linemen will kick things off with the 40-yard dash, where a tenth of a second could change your life. By this time next week, franchises will have most of the information they need in preparation to select their next draft class. Of course, college pro days and top-30 visits still lie ahead, but the Combine remains the main attraction.
When you peruse mock drafts, defense remains the overwhelming consensus for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at pick No. 15. Even Jason Licht and Todd Bowles acknowledged at this year’s combine that upgrading the front seven would be a priority. The case for an edge rusher is rooted in the need to generate more pressure. Linebacker also makes sense with Lavonte David’s future continuing to hang in the balance. I do not think a cornerback is out of the question either, considering how unlucky the Bucs have been with injuries the past few seasons. Despite defense appearing to be a defining desire of the Buccaneers, let me remind you of what happened last year.
Today’s mock drafts do not differ drastically from last year’s predictions. Most believed defense would be the direction the Bucs would go. A month before Round One, Todd Bowles addressed the media saying, “I learned that you win by scoring points. I don’t ever want to bypass a very good offensive player… You can never have enough horses on offense”. Then entered Jason Licht, who dropped this quote two weeks before the big day: “You have to score points to win… We’re not going to overlook that position [wide receiver] at all if everything falls that way for us.” In hindsight, maybe Emeka Egbuka’s selection should not have been as surprising as it was at the time.
And what a selection it was! Egbuka led the Bucs last year with 938 receiving yards and added six touchdown receptions, emerging as an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. His impact alone is enough to make you reconsider what Tampa Bay could do by adding another dynamic weapon on offense.
What happens if one of the draft’s top three receivers is still on the board at No. 15? That kind of value may simply be too good to pass up. Then there is the top tight end in the class, Kenyon Sadiq. Depending on how free agency unfolds, the Buccaneers could have a need at that position.
The offensive line also presents an intriguing option, offering an opportunity to upgrade the unit while adding much-needed depth after last season. Licht has consistently shown the franchise will not pass on elite talent when it’s available. Why would this year be any different?
After Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix shared their mock drafts the past couple weeks, it’s now my turn. What will I decide? I guess you’ll have to read to find out.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Freshly named Raiders Head Coach Klint Kubiak is saying all the right things when asked about the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, insisting he still has “a lot of tape to watch.” If there is any doubt about Fernando Mendoza being worthy of the No. 1 selection, just watch his touchdown run in the National Championship against Miami. This kid has a winner’s mentality. Enough said.
2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Jets enter this year’s draft with 11 selections, second-most out of any team besides the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York’s main focus is to gather as many talented players to build the foundation of their franchise. Luckily for them, the most talented player in this year’s draft is still available for them with the second pick. Though he is not a franchise quarterback, the Jets end up with a cornerstone defender who will command the locker room for years to come in Arvell Reese.
3. Arizona Cardinals: T Spencer Fano, Utah
It is always smart to build up the trenches and the Cardinals elect to invest in another solid tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr. Spencer Fano earns the selection thanks to his elite athleticism and high ceiling at right tackle.
4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Robert Saleh is ecstatic to see Rueben Bain Jr. fall to No. 4, landing what many view as the premier pass rusher in the draft.
5. New York Giants: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The Giants are tempted to give Jaxson Dart another weapon to play with at No. 5 but decide to protect him instead. Some believe Francis Mauigoa may be moved to guard at the next level, but New York believes in his ability to be their long-term right tackle.
6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
With both top-end offensive line prospects gone, Cleveland adds the most complete pass catching prospect to their wide receiver room in Carnell Tate. Ohio State wide outs and first-round selections are the peanut butter and jelly of the draft world.
7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Dan Quinn is looking to add to his front seven and David Bailey fits in seamlessly. The Texas Tech product lives in the backfield and will look to replicate his success in the nation’s capital.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyler Shough really developed during his rookie year and the Saints are in prime position to add a dynamic-threat to their offense. I flirted with the possibility of adding Jeremiyah Love to their backfield, but the position value of a potentially elite wide receiver was too good to pass up. Despite his injury history, Jordyn Tyson has proven he can be a game-changer on the field.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
This seems to be a popular Chiefs pick in many mock drafts. Kansas City gets the elite back they have wanted for some time. Jeremiyah Love is a home run waiting to happen.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Bengals are sprinting this card in as fast as they can. I know the Bengals would love to address their pass rush but Caleb Downs is a prospect you can’t pass up at 10. He is a top-three talent in this draft class.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Dolphins need some help in their secondary with multiple defensive backs heading towards free agency. Delane seems to be CB1 in this class and Miami swoops in and brings him to South Beach.
12. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is the type of linebacker that makes you rethink “positional value” in the draft. He is an amazing pick up for the Cowboys and has the opportunity to go even higher inside the top 10.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The Rams have a lot of options with the pick they acquired from Atlanta in last year’s draft. They could bolster their offensive line but none of the top prizes fell to them. Instead, they decide to use a lottery ticket and take a swing at a high-reward prospect. In 2024, Jermod McCoy produced some of the best tape in the country. Sadly, the corner suffered a torn ACL in January of 2025 that kept him out for the entire season. The Rams invest in his upside with a majority of their secondary needing new contracts this offseason.
14. Baltimore Ravens: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Makai Lemon at No. 14 is too good for the Ravens to pass up. Baltimore gets a player with the potential to blossom into a star WR1 alongside Zay Flowers.
