Mel Kiper Mocks Kenyon Sadiq To The Bucs
March 19th, 2026
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
Iconic helmet hair draft guru Mel Kiper issued his third mock draft of the season this week and his crystal ball puts beastly Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the lap of the Bucs.
Kiper’s 40-plus years at BSPN and various contacts also have believing the Bucs would ignore their defensive holes and turn in Tampa Bay’s draft card for Sadiq with the No. 15 overall pick.
Joe has written about Sadiq, and about Baylor tight end Michael Trigg as an attractive third- or fourth-round pick for the Bucs. But seeing Kiper’s mock and thinking about the potential reality today exactly five weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft, Joe has to pause and think about what kind of trade-down haul Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht could reel in with Sadiq still on the board.
It could be huge.
Maybe the Jets would cough up their 2025 rookie tight end Mason Taylor and their two second-round draft picks (Nos. 33 and 44) for the Bucs’ No. 15 overall pick?
Taylor is more of a blocking tight end, but he’s an interesting prospect who caught 44 balls last season and is the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor. He was a mid-second-round pick last year.
Joe could speculate all day. With the Bucs’ needs for talent upgrades at inside linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher, Joe could see Licht drooling at the thought of picking up two extra second-round picks and a player.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Drafting a “beastly” TE in the first round? Two words: O.J. Howard.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Let the defense be what it will.
When we signed Kieft I thought it might be a fake.
Robinson used 2 TEs the 2nd most in the league last year so even with Otton we could use him. If he develops into something more than Otton we have 2 good ones.
I wouldn’t mind taking the best of any position if we can.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Kiper the draft guru is akin to calling Bowles a defensive guru…neither are very good at their jobs.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
I’m cool with it. He’s almost unreal as a prospect. But if you do pick him, just don’t trade down and somehow pick him in the OJ Howard slot. We need good TE vibes this season lord pigskin 🙏
March 19th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Sadiq clearly not our plan. I’d love that trade back with the Jets though. Exactly what we need to get everyone we need in this draft. Good thinking Joe.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Bucs are going to have to be the top offense in the NFL to win more than they lose with Bowles as the head coach so they probably should draft mostly offense.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
My hunch is he’s gone by 15. Wouldnt surprise me to see KC nab him at 9 as the Kelce replacement. I know they have needs elsewhere but that would be a great Mahomes weapon though I know they need OL, CB and pass rushers.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Not gonna happen…but fans can dream right I rather a for sure glass eater and day 1 starter on defense a lil more of what Jacob Parrish brung to the table last year..yeah..need about 4 of those type guys on defense this year
March 19th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Our defense is in dire, dire straits and folks are talking about using our #1 picks for a friggin TIGHT END.
Last season our defense gave up FIVE explosive runs for TDs of over 20 yards. FIVE! That’s disgusting and inexcusable.
o Texans (won 20-19): 25 yd run (Chubb)
o Lions (lost 24-9): 78 yd run (Gibbs)
o Patriots (lost 28-23): 55 yd run (Henderson) AND 69 yd run (Henderson)
o Saints (lost 24-20): 34 yd run (Shough)
In 2 of those games, the long explosive runs made the difference in winning vs losing. Thos etypes of runs always come down to the same thing IMO: the DLine didn’t do their job, then the LBs didn’t do their job, then the Secondary failed to do their job. It’s NEVER just 1 player who screws up. It’s whole position groups.
Bucs need to start at the front & work backwards to fix the problem. Beef up the interior DLine. Replace the LBs with a couple with bad attitudes. And yes, our Secondary needs to get nastier too. That’s what we need to be looking for in the draft.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Defense Rules – I agree 100%.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I looked at the tape I just don’t see it I like stowers better
March 19th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
2 2nd Rnd picks and a player – DONE
March 19th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
This kid is from my hometown. He’s legit!
March 19th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
The Bucs have maneuvered themselves to a position where they will have to score a lot of points to win games. That’s a bonus for Baker.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
I love him as a prospect and while he may have an OJ Howard like “slide”, but it doesn’t help our Defense directly
However, if he’s available at #15 and we pass on him, boy watch out if Kyle Shanahan gets his hands on him and he ends up a 49er. More intrigue?
No folks, at least for this off-season. The Mike Evans story ain’t going away in regards to Bucs. Unless there’s some unwritten rule that if a player plays 12 seasons in a Bucs uniform, you can only talk about him for a week after max 🤦♂️
March 19th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Defense Rules Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Our defense is in dire, dire straits and folks are talking about using our #1 picks for a friggin TIGHT END.
———
You win by scoring more points than the other team.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
Faster and more athletic than OJ Howard but probably can’t block as well.
My point is, we drafted OJ Howard in the first round, see how that turned out?
Please use first round on the defense. Defensive line, inside or outside linebacker, I don’t really care exactly. Do not pick a tight end!!!
Gave Otten too much money to go and draft a TE in the first round.
If the O line can stay healthy this season, maybe our new OC can start using Culp.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Rod Munch – you have to have the ability to get off the field. A Bowles lead defense doesn’t know how to do that. Sick of seeing it game in and game out.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
The Bucs need Cornerbacks more than any other position
Right now their Corners are:
Josh Hayes
Jacob Parrish
Zyon McCollum
Benjamin Morrison
Enough said
March 19th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
I’m not a big fan of this selection. Sadiq is definitely a freakishly talented player, but his stats in college do match the hype. Over his three seasons, Sadiq had 80 catches for 892 yards. That is 11.15 yards per catch. Hardly impressive! Maybe he wasn’t targeted much on deeper passes or maybe his athleticism does not show up on the field. At any rate, the Bucs have bigger needs than gambling on a combine superstar. I hope the Bucs don’t fall for the hype. Let’s draft someone who 1) fills a need, 2) was productive in college at a high level of competition, and 3) has the physical traits to excel at their position.
For what it’s worth, I am all for drafting a singular talented player regardless of position if that player is worth it based on production and talent. Sadiq is not that guy and, for that reason, not worth the risk.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
Do we really want Sadiq? I don’t know if adding this dude, even if he turns out to be a stud, is what we need to fix this team right now. I do believe Grizzard and Bowles were 2 of our biggest issues last year. The defense definitely needs some revamping, and the offense needs an OC, hopefully Robinson, that will put their foot on the accelerator and go for it, even if we do have injuries. All year, it looked like we playing to not lose, rather than playing to win. You can’t play that style of football, especially if you have a crummy defense. No more conservative football, please! GO BUCS!!!
March 19th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
I’m sorry to say short of Suh, JPP and Shaq walking through the door of OBP, there’s zero chance that we squeeze any value out of a premium defensive pick in Todd’s scheme. Don’t tell me Vita and Kancey are 1st Rd D studs. One guy plays about 1/2 the snaps in a good year and the other guy can’t stay healthy enough to make a weekly impact. If you have the chance to grab someone who can be a matchup problem- soften the blow of losing Evans- and strengthen a dreadfully deficient position room; you do it.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Definitely not another Howard smh. Dudes a beast. Instant impact but doubt he will be there at 15. Plus I kinda wanna see what new coordinator does with Culp. Edge or CB or inside lb if the right one falls. I personally hope they trade back and get a CB cus don’t think top 3 edge will be there at 15.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
I’m a Duck and Sadiq is no brainer.
1) He’s not OJ Howard
Sadiq puts in the work. He grinds. He was a team leader.
2) He could become the Best TE in the NFL
He is too fast for most LB and too big for most DB. His hands and body control are crazy. He can block! Every game he’d destroy some dude on the 2nd level.
3) My Favorite Edge and MLB are there in the 2nd and 3rd
2nd – MLB – Anthony Hill
3rd – Edge – Dennis-Sutton or Derrick Moore
I personally like Hill as much as Styles or CJ. I don’t understand how Dennis-Sutton isn’t a 1st Round Pick. He was every bit as good as Bailey in the games I watched.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
I like the idea of a TE because we need depth at that position, but why bring in someone that high to compete for snaps with Cade Otton, who just re-signed? Beyond that, a lot of commenters here mentioning OJ Howard, so that is a good reminder that Bucs fans are still apprehensive about drafting a TE that high. The organization seems to like developing backup TE’s who can block, so they’ll probably look at the 3rd round or later. This will be a draft mainly for defense.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Rod Munch … ‘You win by scoring more points than the other team.’
Brilliant strategy, but it only worked 8 times for us last year. MAYBE there’s something wrong with our ability to keep THE OTHER GUYS from scoring more than we score Rod? I think we call that DEFENSE. That’s takes TALENT too. We don’t have enough.
Seattle’s defense showed me (yet again) the value of having a beastly defense when they dominated New England in the Super Bowl. That defense sacked the Patriots SIX times & caused 3 turnovers. Of those 6 sacks, the DLine got 3, the OLBs got 2 and a CB got 1.
I checked all the stats Rod, but couldn’t find a Tight End who got any sacks that game. Seahawks did have 1 TE who made the stats list though, AJ Barner. He had a good day, catching 4-of-4 for 54 yds & 1 TD. Played almost the whole game (65 snaps – 90%). Kinda reminds me of Kyle Otton when he’s having a good day. Oh wait, we already have him.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
It’s way too big of a REACH for him. It would be a luxury pick. And, the BUCS are nowhere even close to being in that type of a situation. He’s NOT the type of TE like a Warren, who you would take that HIGH in the draft. Top 20-25 is just way too high for HIM. I’ve watched and seen enough of him. Dan Lanning is my ‘favorite’ head coach. He reminds me of a much smarter version of a young John Gruden. And, who I would really like to see coaching the BUCS someday, sooner rather than later. He has a little Steve Spurrier in him, too!!!! He is really good.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Lt. Dan Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Kiper the draft guru is akin to calling Bowles a defensive guru…neither are very good at their jobs
Mel Kiera’s been doing the draft for over 45 years dude .I’m sure somebody important thinks he is doing a good job,
March 19th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
12 of the top 15 scoring defenses in the NFL made the playoffs. Bucs finished 20th. Bears were the only playoff team in scoring defense behind Bucs who made playoffs. Pitt finished 17th.
10 of the 15 scoring offenses made the playoffs. Bucs finished 17th. Eagles, Chargers, Panthers all made the playoffs but scoring offenses were lower than Bucs.
Im gonna make three assumptions for this upcoming season –
1) Special teams will be much improved. Only one way to go after the 2025 disaster. This unit alone cost us what two games?
2) Can the OL get battered again with injuries? If this unit stays healthy there is no reason why this offense can’t be within the top 10-12 in the NFL.
3) Which leaves the defense – or lack of. Bucs have to have the ability to stop people and get off the field when it matters the most – in the 4th QTR. And they need to draft for this. PERIOD. YOU HAVE TO PLAY DEFENSE TO.
Seattle, Rams, Broncos, Pats – the final four – all VERY good to outstanding defensive units. Certainly the Seahawks, Broncos and Pats were at the top along with Houston.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
If Licht can trade down for more picks
He shouldn’t hesitate to do it
We can get decent, quality CB, ILB, OLB lin late 1st, 2-3 rounds
I think 4-5 good players are better than one premium player
Especially with this defensive roster
There’s too many holes to fill on this defense
March 19th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
I think there is going to be a slight run on WRs in the teens which could help a defender slip down to us.
We have to draft defense with the first pick.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
He has the depth of a McVay, and the ferocity of a Dan Campbell. Players absolutely LOVE HIM. They would give their right arm.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
The defense ranked 5th vs the run (99 ypg) and 20th overall (24 ppg) so those explosive runs they gave up weren’t that bad. But the defense needs all the attention rounds 1-4 unless it’s OL. Not TEs or WRs…
March 19th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
@Defense Rules, don’t overstretch rod munch‘s little mind. All he knows is “Baker single-handedly lost us four games.” Apparently it’s not a team sport.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Boy, the all new 95.7 WDAE was sure all about thems some JoeBucsFan today, at around 1:40ish today!!!! Rock was REALLY pumpin’ UP REAL HARD. Loved hearing it!!!!
March 19th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Defense Rules Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Our defense is in dire, dire straits and folks are talking about using our #1 picks for a friggin TIGHT END.
=================================
Golly DR,
I am told by football guru, RodManureMunch, that the Bucs had a marvelous defense in 2025. It was surpassed only by the magificent play of our junior varsity OG’s. By the way, if he still available Bucs ought to pick up FA OG ,Wyatt Teller.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
It’s the worst case scenario going into the season with McCollum, Morrison, Parrish as our starting Corners. I don’t know what Licht and Bowles plan is, if they have a plan. This is similar to last season, when they didn’t have a plan at ILB. I just don’t think Parrish and Morrison are ready for these teams best receivers. I have some confidence in Zyon McCollum, he’s a veteran with the skills, and know how. I think Zyon will be ready to go this season, and his play should improve from last season. But Parrish and Morrison are young guys, still getting the feel of things. And I’m not sold on Morrison availability, that’s where Parrish question marks come into play. Can Parrish cover the big receivers on the outside. We know Parrish can excel as the Slot CB. We need a bigger outside CB, probably two of them .
March 19th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
@ Hugh Glazerhouse – That was sure not the ‘mentality’ of MANY after those first FOUR Big come from behind Wins by “BAKER.” It was ALL “Baker,” THEN. LoL. Bottomline being, it’s just a straight up FACT that had Baker actually played “well,” then they would’ve WON most of those remaining games 💯. The defense did enough against those sh!tty teams. Baker couldn’t move the ball, sustain drives, or SCORE. Hell, they even admitted that on WDAE earlier today! And, that is the reason for WHY you canNOT extend him now. Funny how that all changes so very quickly though, when it’s the other way around. It was ALL BAKER. But, then it’s ALL EXCUSES. Hmmmmm…
March 19th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
I am
okay with that thinking.
We need help on offense too and 5 years of him would be great.
Yeah I know about the holes in the defense.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Trade up with saints. Get Sonny styles.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
I just read the article after my post above,
I also agree with the trade down strategy and the scenario that JBF describes
March 19th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
This article was about a tightend draft prospect, right? These comments are wild are you guys ok? Lol I mean, I can’t say I hate the idea. I would rather them draft something for the dline or a ilb.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Apathy
March 19th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Losing ME 13 makes this pick more likely but still not good enough ….a trade down would be good.
We need Edge, LB, CB with the top 3
March 19th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Kiper KNOWS HIS SH!T. Period. He (and maybe McShay) know more than ANYONE, about these friggin players. It is literally, ALL HE DOES. It is his entire LIFE. He lives it. Breathes it. SLEEPS IT. And, is way more right than wrong on these guys! He KNOWS who the best lineman on Friggin LEHIGH right now! So, just STOP with the BS. Cause, NO ONE KNOWS what the hell these teams are going to do when it all comes down to it.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
@Newbie
That’s where I put Sadiq in KC. Even if he was there still I don’t know if I’d take him because they need to worry more about the D.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
I just hope to God he doesn’t take another WR. Especially, any of these. You play it out and wait until next year’s LOADED Class, for THAT. We already have enough #2/fringe #1-WR’s on the roster currently. THREE OF THEM. They need an ELITE WR. A Cam Coleman. A Jeremiah SMITH. To go along with EE and JMac. It’d be REAL NICE havin’ a little “LOVE” along for the ride too, with those guys! If they could steal him. Talk about being SET for the future and our brand new HC, GM, and Franchise QB. SHEW. Sign ME UPPPPP.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Havent seen this one before!!!!
March 19th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
They need to consider trading down as much as possible & help build the team some more. Need at least one more LB (maybe two), at least one more DE, at least one more CB (maybe two), at least one more OL, at least one more DT & another S wouldn’t hurt. There’s at least eight picks right there.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Lakeland … ‘It’s the worst case scenario going into the season with McCollum, Morrison, Parrish as our starting Corners.’
I don’t disagree with you at all about our need for improving the CB position group. I just happen to believe that great defense starts UP FRONT, and last season our Front sucked.
Vea is the only really big guy getting a reasonable number of def snaps (763 last season, the most in his career). He gave us some decent stats (4.5 sacks, 13 QB hits, 7 TFLs & 34 tackles (16 solo) but we need him to have a bigger impact for his $18 mil per year salary.
Personally I think we over-used him, and that hurt his Run Defense AND Pass Rush (divide his stats by 17 games & his impact per game isn’t daunting IMO). Suh back in 2020, playing most of the season without Vea, had 6 sacks, 19 QB hits, 9 TFL, 44 tackles (27 solo) in his 16 games (786 def snaps). So about the same number of snaps, but around 30-35% better stats … for considerably less $$$. And when Vea went down in Game 5 that year, Bucs don’t win a Super Bowl without Ndamukong Suh anchoring our DLine. Imagine what 2025 could’ve looked like if Vea had gone down for the season early-on.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
That would be the most ridiculous draft choice for the Bucs so Licht will most likely do it
March 19th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Our tight end room is in great shape. Tight end in the first round? Not understanding Kieft,s value is the same as not understanding that great defenses win games by allow fewer points scored by the other team. Ko wears down linemen, linebackers, corners and safeties so our flashy guys can make highlite tapes. No one likes to see Ko coming their way. All the super bowl contenders had great defenses. I think we need an offensive lineman in the draft but if we go all defense that will be fine. Big guys and hard hitters like Ko. I want our first round to be a defensive lineman.
Our two biggest needs on offense have been addresses offensive coordinator and backup QB.They were addressed I hope they are solved.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Don’t even think about getting cute at this point JL
March 19th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
I am up for trading down. Seems like we do better in the lower rounds anyhow. LOL
Get an extra pickband we can get help at every level. OL depth is also an issue, proven in a very big way last year.
I would be happy with any defensive position in the first round other than a safety if we don’t trade down.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Defense Rules,
We have already started adding to the Front -7 of our defense
With Robinson, Muhammad, Anzalone
But we have done nothing but lose players from the secondary
Vildor signed with New England today
We need to add another OLB, ILB, DT, CB from the draft
And a few more as UDFA
March 19th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Kiper mock picks are right, and that includes the easy ones, about 20% of the time. Gee, I wonder who the Raiders are taking at #1? Chalk up another great prediction from Marvelous Mel! Take away the fairly obvious top ten and I’m thinking Mel is in the 7-8% range. Not something to hang your hat on.
We need defense and more defense. A blocking TE can be grabbed in the later rounds, the same place you’d think we got our head coach.
Still puzzles me why Arians thinks Todd is a good HC and we fans are all crazy. Granted, many are, but not all of us. Does he actually believe that, or is he being disingenuous to make himself look better.
Nary a peep from Brady about Bowles. Wonder what he says about him behind closed doors?
March 19th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Lakeland … ‘But we have done nothing but lose players from the secondary. Vildor signed with New England today. We need to add another OLB, ILB, DT, CB from the draft. And a few more as UDFA’.
Those 4 positions (OLB, ILB, DT, CB) are the exact same 4 Lakeland that I was pushing for from the start. BUT … I’ve changed my mind on drafting an OLB (we suck at that) in favor of adding a 2nd ILB in the Top-4 Rnds. This is the year of the ILB & our need there is desperate (we’ve only really got Anzalone; SVD won’t be here next year).
Far as CB goes, grab a starter-capable CB in the Top-4 Rnds, plus another starter-capable in free agency. That’d give us 5 CBs, with 1 veteran in the group. I don’t see McCollum as being a leader, at least right now. I think his confidence took a hit last season.