Round One, 24th Overall: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Had I stayed at number 15, I think I would have taken Mesidor, so this proved to be a huge win. I based the move down on the idea that I would still be able to get one of edges Mesidor, Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker and Zion Young, or perhaps linebacker C.J. Allen. As it turned out, I had my pick of all of them and I stuck with Mesidor.

The one real knock on Mesidor is that he will be 25 years old by the start of next season, which means if he plays through his whole five-year rookie deal he would be 30 by the time he started a second contract. That’s a legitimate factor in his evaluation, but I think the Buccaneers overlook that based on everything else he brings to the table. For one thing, Mesidor plays every snap with a fiery competitiveness, never relenting even when his first move doesn’t work. And he has a well-refined toolkit of moves, honed by Hall of Famer Jason Taylor at Miami. He’s quick off the ball, very good with his hands and even sets the edge well against the run. At 6-3 and 260 pounds, he has good size for the position, something else the Buccaneers are emphasizing this offseason.

Round Two, 39th Overall: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

The aforementioned trade that put the Bucs in position to pick twice among the first 14 selections in the second round allows them to hit a position that some analysts don’t consider a top need for them but which is a spot almost always in need of a new infusion of talent. The Buccaneers have a starting trio ready to go in Zyon McCollum and 2025 draftees Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, but the free agency departure of Jamel Dean makes the depth chart thin after that. Anyone who thinks a team’s Week One starting three is a lock to make it through an entire 17-game season unscathed has not been watching Buccaneers football of late.

Hood is viewed as many as a potential first-round talent, but in this PFN simulator he slips into the early part of the second round, and I’m not complaining. There were some other attractive options for the Buccaneers if Hood had been off the board, such as San Diego State’s Chris Johnson, but I’ll go with the Tennessee Star who has the type of size (5-11, 193), wingspan (75 inches) and tenacity that Todd Bowles appreciates at the position. He’s probably best in man coverage but has also shown he can handle zone, particularly when he’s closer to the line of scrimmage. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the Combine and did well in the broad jump and vertical leap, suggesting an explosive athlete. Hood may not have to contribute on defense in Week One, but at some point in 2026 and beyond the Bucs will be very happy they have him on the depth chart.

Round Two, 46th Overall: LB Anthony Hill, Texas

The Buccaneers have signed two off-ball linebackers in free agency in Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, and with franchise icon Lavonte David announcing his retirement this Tuesday, that could be the Bucs’ opening-day starting duo. Still, the selection of Hill would add competition for the starting spots, much-needed depth and a plan for the future, since Anzalone is 31 and Rozeboom is 29. In addition, Anzalone’s deal is for two years and Rozeboom’s for just one. It actually makes a lot of sense to bring a Day Two linebacker selection into that situation.

Hill is a rangy sideline-to-sideline linebacker, like the just-retired Lavonte David, though he’s notably bigger at 6-3 and 238 pounds, and Bowles has said the Bucs need more size on defense. He has long arms and is a sure tackler, and he diagnoses plays quickly and takes good angles to the ballcarrier. He also room to develop as he just turned 21 in February. The concern about Hill is in his pass coverage, which he wasn’t asked to do a lot of at Texas. But those are strengths for both Anzalone and Rozeboom, so the Bucs could potentially use Hill in a role that keeps him close to the line of scrimmage early while they help him develop his coverage skills.

Round Three, 77th Overall: G Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

There are plenty of mock drafts that have the Bucs going after a start-now prospect at guard like Penn State’s Olaivavega Iaone, but the Bucs’ starting line is actually set for this season with Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson, both returning from injured reserve. I don’t think the Buccaneers would target an interior lineman in the first round (famous last words!) but I could definitely see them adding to the position on Day Two. The injuries suffered by Mauch and Bredeson underscore the need for quality depth and the Bucs could use help in that regard.

The 6-4, 316-pound Rutledge brings good size to the position plus a nasty demeanor that the Bucs are looking for on their offensive front. He was a first-team All-ACC pick last year while starting at right guard for the Jackets. He has good arm length and he punishes interior defensive linemen with his strong hands. He can also move well laterally as a pulling guard. He has occasionally had some issues in pass protection, but they appear to be largely about technique, suggesting that could also develop into a strength under NFL coaching.