2026 NFL Mock Draft Monday: What will the Bucs do with the 14th pick?

6 days ago 2

Well, Bucs fans, it's time to start the offseason.

The Bucs took care of business in a very sloppy game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Their reward was to hope the Saints defeated the Falcons on Sunday so they could clinch the NFC South. The Falcons instead took care of business and won a close one over the Saints by a score of 19-16.

So with that game going final, the Bucs are officially starting their offseason today. The best way to do that, of course, is to start with another Mock Draft Monday. The Bucs now have the 14th pick in the draft, which is finalized, so we will now be able to properly gauge what players could be there for him.

So with that, let's go over the first mock draft of the offseason for the Bucs with pick placement finalized.

Round 1, Pick 14: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

The Bucs' defense has a desperate need for a reliable pass rush presence. They fell off a cliff in terms of sack production from 2024 to 2025, but they also have struggled to stop the run, so getting someone who can do both is a tall task, but it is possible. Keldric Faulk is a rare talent that checks both boxes and would be a nice pairing with Yaya Diaby opposite him. General manager Jason Licht has swung and missed on aggressive edge rusher picks, but Faulk projects to me to be a safe pick with the upside worthy of going in the top half of the first round.

Round 2, Pick 46: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

With this pick, I am going to suggest the Bucs move Tykee Smith back to cornerback in this situation. Pairing A.J. Haulcy with a fellow ball hawk in Antoine Winfield Jr. is a pairing worth rolling the dice on. The cornerback group needs someone who is an athlete and has the range that Smith has, even if it is at nickel, where he has the chance to make more plays. Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, on the outside, are pairing the team can develop and also shine with better pass rush supporting them.

Round 3, Pick 78: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Lavonte David has seemingly played his last NFL game based on how he acted on the field post-game and in the locker room as well. That being said, there may be no better replacement than Jacob Rodriguez out of Texas Tech. He was arguably the best defensive player in college football in 2025, and he was a leader on the Red Raiders' defense that allowed them to make the College Football Playoffs. Bring in Rodriguez to showcase his range and ball skills in the middle of the field and let the results speak for themselves.

Round 4, Pick 144: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

Rachaad White is an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and he posted his good-bye to Tampa Bay on Sunday. So with that, the team will need a physical pass protector with some pass-catching potential, like Kaytron Allen. Bucky Irving being in a rotation has shown to be the rightr approach as it keeps him fresh in the process. Irvin, Allen, and Sean Tucker being a three-headed monster in the Bucs' offense would be a great thing for the offense and the team as a whole.

Round 5, Pick 153: Harold Perkins Jr., LB/S, LSU

Harold Perkins is a unique talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, as he doesn't really have a designated position. He can rush the passer, he can drop back in coverage, and he can provide run support. Now, none of it is at an elite level, but that could be because no one has let him stick at a position and develop. Putting Perkins behind SirVocea Dennis, who is going into a prove-it year in 2026, with the idea that he can be an insurance policy, is a nice approach and gives them linebacker depth.

Round 6, Pick 192: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan

Cade Otton is a free agent in 2026 and may have played his way into returning in Week 18 against the Panthers. That being said, adding someone to develop and compete behind him with big upside would be Marlin Klein. He wasn't used a lot in his time in Michigan, but he showed promise due to his size and promise as a blocker and receiver. Adding him behind Otton, who you bring back on a short-term deal, would be an approach we sign off on.

Round 7, Pick 227: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois

Baker Mayfield needs a backup with a live arm. We have been writing this for months, and Luke Altmyer can be that. He not only has a live arm, but he is a bona fide gamer at the quarterback position with a never-say-die attitude. Could the Bucs bring in another veteran as they did with Teddy Bridgewater? Sure, but they need someone young they believe is as well.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Mock Draft Monday: What will the Bucs do with the 14th pick?

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