\u2014 NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n He totaled 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss during his college career. In 2025, he totaled 9.5 sacks, and his 67 pressures were second-most in the nation. The Buccaneers landed the biggest steal of the first round,<\/a> and this could be the move that finally solves the team\u2019s pass rush woes.<\/p>\n Grade: A+<\/p>\n Round 2, Pick 46: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri<\/p>\n This pick is bittersweet. On one hand, Trotter continues the trend of adding violence and physicality to the defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n On the other hand, it\u2019s still heartbreaking that Jacob Rodriguez came oh so close to the Buccaneers until the Dolphins snatched him up just three picks ahead<\/a> of Tampa Bay. But it would be unfair to knock Trotter\u2019s grade simply because he\u2019s not Rodriguez.\u00a0<\/p>\n Trotter shines in run defense and as a blitzer, and he\u2019ll be a perfect fit for Todd Bowles\u2019 scheme. He plays fast and strong, and will be a nuisance for opposing offenses to deal with. The biggest gripe about the pick is that Tampa Bay has gotten such poor coverage from the linebacker spot, and Trotter is another linebacker who struggles in coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Josiah Trotter is a Buc \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f#MIZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6D1a9pbHwh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That skill can be developed, but this pick didn\u2019t necessarily solve that weakness immediately. It\u2019s a good pick, but not quite a slam-dunk like some of the other picks Tampa Bay made.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grade: B+<\/p>\n Round 3, Pick 84 Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State<\/p>\n This was a masterful pick by the front office. Not only did they trade down and acquire an extra fifth-round pick, they added a dynamic playmaker for Baker Mayfield<\/a> in the process.<\/p>\n Though the wide receiver room is talented, it lacks size and speed. The departure of Mike Evans<\/a> left the roster without a true perimeter threat, but Hurst solves that problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bucs new WR Ted Hurst: <\/p>\n \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f Led FBS with 34 catches of 20+ yards over the past two seasons<\/p>\n \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f 70.9% of receptions resulted in either a first down or touchdown<\/p>\n \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f Explosive downfield threat with 127 catches, 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns over last 2 seasons <\/p>\n HOME RUN PICK! pic.twitter.com\/oQcXnaQe6x<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, he runs a blazing 4.42 40-yard dash. He led the FBS with 34 receptions of 20-plus yards over the last two seasons, and over 70% of his catches went for either first downs or touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n He\u2019s a big play waiting to happen<\/a>, and adding such an explosive receiver late in the third round was another steal by Jason Licht.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grade: A<\/p>\n Round 4, Pick 116: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami<\/p>\n Jason Licht apparently earned the favor of football gods, as he landed yet another steal in the fourth round.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Scott was widely projected as a second or third-round pick, and was ranked in the top-60 prospects on most consensus big boards. Tampa Bay got him at 116. The best part of all — they reunited him with Bain, who was his college teammate at Miami.<\/p>\n NO ONE defends the run like Keionte Scott\ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/AVazG4q7tm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL Stock Exchange (@NFLSEshow) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Not only did they get a good cornerback \u2014 they got a player that was made in a lab to play in Todd Bowles\u2019 defensive scheme. Scott was arguably the best blitzer and run defender from the cornerback spot in college football. He led all cornerbacks in both sacks (5) and pressures (17).\u00a0<\/p>\n His 91.4 run defense grade ranked second in the nation at his position. Bowles knows exactly how to utilize a player like this, and he\u2019ll be a key chess piece from day one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grade: A<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 155: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n At 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, DeMonte Capehart has the size the Bucs wanted to add to their defensive front<\/a>. He\u2019s an athletic anomaly, ranking as a 99th-percentile athlete.\u00a0<\/p>\n He\u2019s strong and violent, and has all of the physical and athletic gifts needed to eventually develop into a quality NFL player.<\/p>\n This is no disrespect to Peter Woods and even though he\u2019ll get drafted higher, Demonte Capehart was the best defensive lineman for Clemson this year. He is an ass kicker and a man mover. All I see on tape is belt to ass on the interior. Look at how he plays with his hands. pic.twitter.com\/7Lw5RlpNOV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) April 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Capehart only started 12 games in college despite being a sixth-year senior. He finished his career with 72 total tackles including 13 for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble.\u00a0<\/p>\n He\u2019ll turn 24 years old before training camp, and will have a long road ahead in his development after playing such a limited role at the college level. Luckily, he\u2019s in a good spot with a Tampa Bay team that has their starters locked in for next season, allowing him to learn from savvy veterans like Vita Vea and A\u2019Shawn Robinson.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grade: B<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 160: Billy Schrauth, OL, Notre Dame<\/p>\n Adding interior offensive line depth was a major necessity after injuries and poor depth derailed the offense last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Schrauth was a three-year starter with experience at both right guard and left guard, serving as a team captain at Notre Dame.<\/p>\n If I had to show one play to sell you on Notre Dame OG Billy Schrauth, it would be this one.<\/p>\n Such an agile player for his size. pic.twitter.com\/BR0dQUMioy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) April 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s a steady, reliable player with proven leadership ability. Schrauth helps bolster the depth at guard and can be counted on to protect Baker Mayfield.<\/a><\/p>\n Grade: A-<\/p>\n Round 6, Pick 185: Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU<\/p>\n The Buccaneers closed out their draft class by trading up in the sixth round for LSU tight end Bauer Sharp.<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s a recent convert to tight end from quarterback, and has a lot of growth to do at the position. Sharp did lead Oklahoma in receptions in 2024 before transferring to LSU and having a quieter 2025 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bauer Sharp gauntlet pic.twitter.com\/lCBDznmF2M<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s no fault of Sharp\u2019s, but the Bucs needed to land a more immediate-impact tight end rather than a developmental one. If the team plans to implement Zac Robinson\u2019s system that utilizes 2 tight end sets at one of the highest rates in the NFL, they needed a receiving tight end that could complement Cade Otton and line up on day one, as Payne Durham and Devin Culp won\u2019t cut it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sharp seems poised to battle with the two aforementioned tight ends for a spot at the bottom of the depth chart or practice squad, and while he can certainly develop into an effective player down the line, that won\u2019t help the Bucs much in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grade: C+<\/p>\n Buccaneers 2026 NFL Draft Grade: A<\/p>\n Jason Licht and his staff earned an \u201cA\u201d, passing the test of the NFL Draft with flying colors.\u00a0<\/p>\n They addressed all of their major needs, and completely revamped the defense. They had one of the best drafts of any team from a pure value perspective, landing steals with just about every pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n The failure to add a proven dynamic receiving threat is the only thing that held this draft back from a perfect A+ grade, but beggars can\u2019t be choosers. The roster improved by leaps and bounds, and on paper, the Buccaneers look ready to return to playoff contention after a down year in 2025.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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