Plenty Of Bucs Draft Targets At 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine released its complete list of expected attendees this year – 319 of them to be exact. That’s 10 fewer than the 329 invited players from a year ago, but plenty of draft targets for the Bucs to interview and scout.

Alabama leads the way with 12 invited players, followed by LSU with 11, Georgia with 10, Indiana, Iowa, Oregon and Penn State with nine, Texas Tech with eight and Texas with seven. Here is a full list of the 319 players expected to travel to Indianapolis for this year’s Combine from February 23 – March 2.

The Bucs have pressing needs on defense as head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht are looking for a starting outside linebacker to replace Haason Reddick, who will depart in free agency, and start opposite Yaya Diaby, as well as a pair of inside linebackers to possibly start and replace SirVocea Dennis, last year’s starting middle linebacker, and Lavonte David, who is a 36-year old free agent and may retire.

Tampa Bay could also be in the market for a starting tight end if Cade Otton leaves in free agency, and could also use more depth at defensive tackle behind Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea if Logan Hall, a starter in Bowles’ base 3-4 defense, doesn’t return in free agency.

This year’s NFL Scouting Combine will feature 63 defensive linemen, which include both defensive tackles and edge rushers. That’s 10 fewer than a year ago. Tampa Bay has been linked to several edge rushers in the first round of some mock drafts this year, including Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Clemson’s T.J. Parker.

This year’s Combine will see 29 inside linebackers participate, which is the same number of linebackers as a year ago. However, the overall talent at linebacker is more robust this season. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles and Georgia’s C.J. Allen are two linebackers that have been frequently mocked to the Bucs this offseason.

The tight end position at the Combine is plentiful this year with 27 invited prospects. Last year saw only 21 tight ends participate in Indianapolis. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a first-round prospect, has been frequently linked to the Buccaneers in some media mock drafts.

Bucs’ 2026 Draft Picks

Tampa Bay currently has all seven of its own draft picks in 2026. Any compensatory draft picks will be determined by the NFL prior to the NFL Draft.

Round 1: No. 15 overall
Round 2: No. 46 overall
Round 3: No. 77 overall
Round 4: No. 116 overall
Round 5: No. 153 overall
Round 6: No. 193 overall
Round 7: No. 229 overall

Pewter Report will be in Indianapolis for LIVE coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine from February 24 – 28, including Jason Licht and Todd Bowles’ press conference coverage.

Watch Bucs Mock Draft 2.0 Show – Presented By Jorgensen Law P.A.

Nobody covers the Tampa Bay offseason better than Pewter Report. From our inside scoop on coaching hires and the free agents the Bucs are targeting, to our Bucs Mock Drafts and nailing Bucs’ Best Bets when it comes to Tampa Bay’s drafts – PewterReport.com and our PewterReportTV YouTube channel are your go-to destinations now that the offseason is here.

Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo will host a special Bucs Mock Draft 2.0 Show podcast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday evening which takes place following the release of Pewter Report’s second Bucs Mock Draft of the offseason at 5:00 p.m. ET to answer your questions and get your reactions. The show will be featured on PewterReportTV YouTube and also streamed live on our @PewterReport X and Facebook channels – presented by Jorgensen Law P.A.

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The Bucs Mock Draft Show 2.0 podcast – presented by Jorgensen Law P.A. – can be found below.