ClutchPoints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 offseason in an uncomfortable but familiar place. They are competitive enough to matter, yet flawed enough to miss January. The post–Tom Brady years were always going to test the organization’s patience and vision. 2025 reinforced that reality. Tampa Bay didn’t collapse, didn’t bottom out, and didn’t tank. It also didn’t quite have the answers it needed when the margins tightened. That’s what makes this three-round projection from the PFF mock draft simulator so revealing. It’s not a swing-for-the-fences class. It’s aimed at fortifying the defense, adding structure on offense, and giving the next quarterback a fighting chance.
The Buccaneers finished the 2025 campaign at 8-9. They narrowly missed the playoffs despite staying in the NFC South race until the final week. Tampa Bay looked like a division contender early. They raced to a 6-2 record before the bye week, only to unravel down the stretch by going 2-7 afterward. Offensive inconsistency and a passing game that never fully stabilized proved costly as the season wore on. That shrank the margin for error with each missed opportunity.
The defense quietly kept the Buccaneers competitive through long stretches. However, stalled drives, red-zone failures, and late-game breakdowns repeatedly flipped winnable games. When the dust settled, identical records with the Panthers and Falcons left Tampa Bay on the outside looking in via tiebreakers. It was a frustrating finish for a team that once appeared firmly in control of its postseason destiny.
Tampa Bay’s needs are not subtle. Offensively, the tight end position stands out immediately. With veteran Cade Otton seeming to platea in terms of his effectiveness, the Buccaneers lack a middle-of-the-field presence who can threaten seams. They need someone who can help bail out quarterbacks and create mismatches. The offensive line also needs reinforcements. It’s not necessarily a full rebuild. That said, depth and competition are essential to surviving a long season.
Defensively, the priorities are equally clear. Edge pressure has been inconsistent. This has forced the defense to manufacture pressure rather than dictate terms. Linebacker speed and coverage range remain areas of concern. That’s particularly true against modern spread offenses. In the secondary, Tampa Bay needs a corner who can survive on an island. They need someone with length, speed, and confidence to play man coverage without constant safety help.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Buccaneers’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.
Mansoor Delane feels like a very ‘Buccaneers’ pick. He is long, athletic, and built for aggressive coverage schemes. At his best, Delane is exactly what defensive coordinators want on the outside. He is a press-capable corner with real vertical speed and the courage to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. He’s comfortable disrupting routes early and has the recovery speed to stay in phase when things get uncomfortable.
The concerns are real but manageable. Delane’s slender frame...
