A hot start to the 2025 NFL season had many believing this could be the year that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on another deep playoff run. However, the year quickly fell apart amid a myriad of injuries, and the lack of continuity and a despondent defense ultimately signalled their downfall.
Going into next season, the hope has to be that they can find their way back into the playoff mix in the NFC, at the very least. For one analyst, that means finding more offensive talent for Baker Mayfield to work with, and giving him a strong option at tight end for the first time with the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Scouting Combine Standout
Last season, there weren’t a ton of positives to take away from Tampa Bay. However, one of the key areas in which they fell dramatically behind other organizations was the tight end position. On paper, their wide receiver corps can stand up with the best of them.
If every player comes back, a trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka is elite, while not accounting for depth pieces like Jalen McMillan. However, at tight end, the roster is wafer-thin, even when including Cade Otton.
Averaging less than 10 yards a reception, he failed to cross the 600-yard mark last season and scored just one touchdown all year, ranking at number 25 on PFSN’s TE Impact. That’s where their problem meets a readymade solution.
Drafting at number 15 in the 2026 NFL Draft, they cannot go after some of the more elite prospects that low. However, according to Cameron Sheath of PFSN, they will have a chance to draft one of the best tight end prospects this season in Kenyon Sadiq.
In his latest mock draft for 2026, Sheath spoke highly of the performance Sadiq had in Indianapolis: “Kenyon Sadiq was expected to impress at the NFL Combine, and he didn’t disappoint. The Oregon star’s 40-yard dash time (4.39 seconds) was the fastest recorded by a tight end at the Combine since at least 2003, while also shining with his jumps.”
His raw numbers may not jump out of the box, but a 560-yard, eight-touchdown final year with the Oregon Ducks proved his ability in the passing game, especially in the end zone, where he finished his collegiate run with 11 touchdowns.
As a result, Sheath believes he could add a dynamic layer to the Tampa Bay offense. “Sadiq is the consensus top tight end in the class, by a distance, and could add even more juice to the already-stacked Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing game.”
After rumors that head coach Todd Bowles could be on the hot seat, he managed to retain his job for the time being, at the very least. But the Buccaneers need to get back to their winning ways to keep the fan base happy and to help Bowles retain his spot on the sideline.
