PART II Of The Annual Mock Draft Episode; Ira Kaufman Dives Into The 2nd Half Of Round 1 And Explores Key Bucs Targets In Later Rounds And More (Draft Guru Sean Sullivan Joins)
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Part II. Yes, it’s the second half of the annual podcast mock draft episode, with all kinds of other Bucs chatter mixed in with draft guru Sean Sullivan. Catch up on what you missed, including the Buccaneers’ pick, in Part 1 on various podcast platforms or at JoeBucsFan.com.
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April 21st, 2026 at 6:41 pm
The real story on Mike Evans is he left for a team he felt he would receive more targets and possibly more attention. His primary concern is the HOF at this point but IMO he’s already a first balloter.
April 21st, 2026 at 6:54 pm
I do have a question- is it possible the Bucs have Mesidor ranked lower because of injury risk? If they do, how firm is Sadiq to Baltimore? Personally I hope they trade down a few spots and take Rodriguez or McDonald. Then move back up into the first to take Malachi Stewart. They can take corner and guard in the 4th and 5th (LB’er or DT 3rd)and still come out of this draft tremendously stronger. If not Stewart then Mesidor may very well end up falling to us in the second round. Using tiering strategy, if Mesidor is a tier below Bain etc. he’s in a big tier with Stewart and Howell etc. and the odds of one of those edges falling to them at 2.15 are still quite good. Go with the best LB in the first or Sadiq. Sadiq is a unicorn, and J-rod might be with his knowledge.
April 21st, 2026 at 8:33 pm
It will not make any difference. The Curse of Bowzo is upon the Bucs.
April 21st, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Don’t you people ever get tired of being a skipping record? I already knew what your opinion was 20,000 posts ago. It was inaccurate then and remains that way.
April 21st, 2026 at 8:54 pm
Care to explain what you mean? Not even sure who that is directed at.
April 21st, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Is it “possible?” Sure it’s *possible.* Not sure if they do have Mesidor dinged or not. Bucs are certainly not going to broadcast that.
LOL That’s a lot of “Draft Day” jockeying. 🙂 Joe too hopes they can trade down and man, if the Bucs could pick up both McDonald and Rodriguez, that’s a helluva start to the draft!
April 21st, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Wonderful double draft podcast much appreciated
April 21st, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Double yawn
April 21st, 2026 at 9:08 pm
Maybe the Bucs will trade Bowles for the #1 pick in the draft.
April 21st, 2026 at 9:14 pm
everyone else from lets says pick 10 on is in same position as bucs everyone will try to draft down most likely wont happen
April 21st, 2026 at 9:47 pm
“You come out of this draft with Mesidor and Rodriguez, you’re a changed team”
April 21st, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Top EDGE and ILB, solid CB = Holes on Defense filled.
Can play with DT, G, TE2, WR, Depth from there;
Still have late Veteran cuts etc on horizon as well to handle one of those.
And isn’t it wild how with MIK5 playing catch with brock purdy we aren’t pressing for a WR
April 21st, 2026 at 10:22 pm
“that’s a helluva start to the draft!” No. That would be a helluva Draft!
April 21st, 2026 at 10:26 pm
Hi Joe it was directed at Grover who- yet again- complained about Bowles. For the zillionth time on a story not really about him.
April 21st, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Every story is about the One Not Fired .
It’s why all this draft interchange is as relevant as trying to get a cow to compete in the Preakness.
April 21st, 2026 at 10:55 pm
So why are you here then? Us actual Bucs fans would like to discuss the news of the day instead of listening to the same small group of people whine about the coaches/gm. It’s pretty clear you aren’t fans of the team and just want to be trolls. Your opinions are all noted so no need to ever air them again. Try staying on topic.
An ILB or DT would be great in the 1st. I hope they don’t leave the third without an ILb, edge, and DT. We also need a CB but fortunately this draft is nice and deep with them.
April 22nd, 2026 at 12:12 am
I like the trade down and get the D tackle from Ohio State scenario.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:00 am
“They’re sticking with Bowles!!!” – Ira Kaufman
Yeah that one is always going to burn.
He was filled with glee and excitement for Todd to return as HC\DC. If you found audio of Ira being filled with glee and excitement saying that, it surely is something AI-enhanced on social media. –Joe
And after another failed season in 2026, he’ll pick up the water again.
The Glazers keep fresh coconut donuts in the booth for Ira.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:05 am
Mesidor in the first and Hill Jr in the second has been my fondest wishes for the Bucs throughout the draft process but I think the next step to fortify the defense is LSU’s AJ Haulcy in the third even if it takes a little trade-up. Winfield Jr isn’t worth $21 million dollars even if he stays healthy for 17 games. Haulcy is a ball-hawking, hard-hitting passionate leader who has not missed a game for four straight years. I’d love to see him push Tykee Smith back to slot where he belongs then push Winfield out the door in FA next year.
Corleone is a fun DT but I see him going early day 3. The DT I need the Bucs to draft in the fourth is Georgia Tech’s Jordan van den Berg though. I have eyes for no other DT in this draft.
Ar-Maj Reed-Adams from Texas A+M would be the ideal back-up guard to take in the fourth or fifth but if he, Duke’s Brian Parker Jr, Slaughter and both Iowa IOL products are gone UCLA’s Garrett DiGiorgio is another refined beast available even later. The Bucs have a young, cohesive OL with a couple back-up OTs. All they need is guard depth and this draft has plenty of that.
USC ILB Eric Gentry is a unicorn I’d love to see the Bucs add in rounds 5-6. His motor and wingspan are off the charts and he is a proven kick blocker on ST.
Another day 3 defender at a position of need for the Bucs is Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman. His game and body are refined like Mesidor’s but he has Bosa-style arm usage that he combines with phenomenal pursuit and motor. He is the most underrated pass rusher in this crop and could step in as an Anthony Nelson style contributor Week 1.
Erick Hunter from Morgan State is another day 3 defender I need the Bucs to add. He ought to add 10 lbs but he tested a little better than Hill Jr. and shows real finishing skills as a blitzer.
I’d like the Bucs to give Benjamin Morrison a chance to live up to his Notre Dame tape more than spend a pick early in this draft on a CB. Toledo’s Avery Smith is yet another late day 3 gem that I would be okay with starting in a pinch in 2026. He doesn’t get the love his partner Fuller does but he has a similarly complete game.
I don’t see the need to draft another target for Baker Mayfield in any form when the defense is in the state it is. The same goes for protection. All Baker needs this offseason is his franchise QB deal, if he wants that from the Bucs. A wonderful side-effect of that would be that it frees up cap space to sign DJ Reader but who knows after last year’s collapse and ownership’s other faults and frailties? Mayfield could be resolved to fly the coop for the Rams next year.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:30 am
Joe, keep bringing Sean onto the podcasts. He does a great job watching a lot of film, and provides great insights. I don’t watch much film and doubt anyone on this site watches as much as Sean. Thanks Sean!
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:05 am
Mistgedoor is foolz gold
Too many Logical reasons not to take him in the first round.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:31 am
No more 25 year old busts please.
Licht is going to shock the world.
As he did when he kept Bowles after 2025.
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:14 am
Thanks Joe! really enjoyed the 2 mock draft pods, fun! to listen too. Keep up the good work!
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:43 am
Licht could again “shock the world” and take an OL with 15 if he can’t trade back. I like Hill at LB a little better than J-Rod, just as smart and from what I’ve seen more athletic but either would be good. There are a lot of middle tier guys to like that we could use in this draft but I think some of these guys we’ve talked about are going higher than they are projected.
Was it Sullivan who said in the podcast that if there is a run on O-line around the time the Bucs pick that could send a few teams scurrying to trade up to get one? Interesting thought.