Mel Kiper Gave The Bucs A Surprisingly Lukewarm Draft Grade
April 27th, 2026
Perplexed.
Reading Mel Kiper’s breakdown of each Bucs player drafted last week, you’d think helmethair of BSPN would have given the Bucs a good overall grade.
Kiper slapped the Bucs with a “B-.”
Kiper raved about first-round pick Rueben Bain, referred to third-round receiver Ted Hurst as a “red zone magnet” and it appeared Kiper was most excited for the Bucs selecting nickel corner Keionte Scott.
I also liked the Keionte Scott pick a lot. He’s all over the Miami tape, disrupting opposing offenses as a blitzer, chasing down running backs and making plays on the ball in coverage. Scott could factor in as a slot corner or safety. Tampa Bay got him at good value, too — he was No. 80 on my board, so I wasn’t expecting to see him still out there at the 116th pick.
It seems, however, Kiper didn’t ding the Bucs for who they selected, it appears Kiper dinged the Bucs for what they didn’t select (higher). That would be a tight end.
The tight end position wasn’t addressed until the sixth round. I had it as the top roster need, and Kenyon Sadiq was often matched with the Bucs at the 15th pick. I have no issue with the Bucs taking Bain there (Sadiq and Bain were back to back on my board), but they needed to do something at the position before taking Bauer Sharp in the late rounds. Tampa Bay re-signed Cade Otton, but the Bucs could go with a lot of two-tight end sets this season in Zac Robinson’s offense, and it was a missed opportunity to not get a higher-rated prospect.
Joe gets what Kiper is saying. The Bucs might be one consistent deep threat tight end from having a complete offense. But Joe cannot quibble with who the Bucs selected.
And Joe also thinks Kiper might be onto something. The way Scott is always on the Miami tape making plays, he’s like a hybrid linebacker/safety who is an excellent blitzer. Scott very well could make the Bucs defense better in a hurry. He’s that good.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:06 am
I’d like to see Scott and Tykee at safety….
Winfield will definitely be challenged this year….
GO BUCS!!!!
April 27th, 2026 at 9:08 am
Kiper is a bum. Anyone who watched the Bucs and came to the conclusion that TE was Tampa’s greatest need is delusional. Enough said.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Mel Kiper was really pushing us to draft Kenyon Sadiq
But that’s not the direction we’re going to
We want physical defensive players, with high football IQ
We don’t need anymore finesse players
We need violent, hard hitting, good tackling defensive players
Maybe after a 2-3 years old adding defensive beasts
We may draft a TE in round 1
April 27th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Diaper is just a little salty because we didn’t draft who he mocked to us. I would take Bain over Sadiq every single time.
Most of the defensive positions we drafted were a higher need than TE. We could have gone TE instead of receiver in the third round but was there a tight end equivalent value there? Probably not. Licht has his board to go by and his own priorities.
Diaper is trying to look at the big picture for the whole league all at one time. Which is pretty much impossible and why his hit rate is super low, like most draft “gurus”. ?
April 27th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Here’s the deal with Kiper..he always dings teams who dont draft the player or position we had them drafting.
The truth of the matter is the Bucs had a glaring hole and need for a stud edge rusher and one if the best in the country fell to them. It was a no bainer.
Then the available TEs when they were on the clock the rest of the draft weren’t fantastic. You dont push for need when you have holes all across all levels of your defense.
They have enough at TE to still have a really good offense.
There are still a couple vet TEs that they can add before camp.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Diaper! ?
Nice!
April 27th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Kiper is just fighting for relevance. Fact of the matter is, there are amateurs and pros on their own dime not working for a mass marketed, media machine that are just as good at Mels’ job. At this stage in the game, Mel is just a weather man for athletes
April 27th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Culp needs to be on the field on 3rd and long-Period.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:26 am
I can’t blame the Bucs for taking Bain over Shadiq. The Bucs did both it appears took the best player available and addressed a huge need. I have been really sour on the Bucs secondary. They were soooo bad last year period. Neither McColumn or Morrison appear to be starting corners. The safties, say what you wnant but Winfield disappeared much of last year. He may be done. However, I think we need Scott more as a corner than safety currently. I like the idea of Parrish on one corner, Scott at nichel . I guess you can let Morrison and McColumn fight it out for the other position. However, I would love to see the Bucs add another corner. Right now I don’t see either of those guys working. Yes, maybe Morrison develops, but that is a big gamble especially when he can’t stay on the field.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:32 am
He had TE as the top roster need. This is why no one who knows football gives a crap about what Kiper says. ESPN has fired so many people over the years its amazing that Kiper still has a job.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Defense was the priority for this draft. Drafting a tight end in the first round would have been foolish. Licht got a lot of bang for his bucks in this draft. I expect the defense to be much more violent this season.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Look for Culp to be a bigger part of the offense this year
April 27th, 2026 at 9:42 am
I had a C +
So Mel is correct ✅
April 27th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Sign David Njoku. He should be cheap, he can still play and should be a good locker room guy.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Sadiq will be a bust especially since he went to the Jets! I was praying the Bucs did not draft him- Baker is a not a huge TE guy anyway and Bucs drafted the 6’4″ Georgia State WR to be a red zone threat anyway!
My only complaint on the entire draft is taking Trotter ahead of other LBs (Allen) who were better rated as coverage lbs! I would gladly have traded a 4th round pick to move up 5 spots in the second round to grab Rodriquez who will be an All Pro stud for years! No learning curve for him!
April 27th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Want he he guy that said Tampa messed up in drafting S Murphy-Bunting instead of UFLer Greedy Williams?
April 27th, 2026 at 10:03 am
To ding the Bucs for not drafting a TE is shortsighted. Robinson will probably scheme around what the Bucs have.. WRs and RBs in Tampa.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:07 am
“”My only complaint on the entire draft is taking Trotter ahead of other LBs (Allen) who were better rated as coverage lbs!””
I’m praying this isn’t ANOTHER Licht 2nd pick disaster.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:16 am
Very excited to see Scott play.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Wiper was wrong. TE was not the Bucs top roster need. It was a secondary need.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Kipers from Baltimore, hes a Ravens fan ..Mark Andrew’s went in the 3rd round ,you dont know what you get .However the 2 tight end set works ,if they can block
April 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
The Bucs didn’t stink last year because of the TE position.
Alot of these media opinions are a result of the Otton juggling act during the Rams’ national tv game.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Tight end is not that important of a position.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:34 am
More Devin Culp please.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Someone should show draft grades after the Super Bowl – Mel Kiper and all these clowns would be out of a job. Who could forget his Dilfer rant? This guy is lucky to have a job.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:57 am
The TE position has become irrelevant in the Bucs offense beyond run blocking.
Sounds like that’s what they drafted this kid out of LSU to do.
We are not stretching the field very much in general due to poor QB play.
Hence the fact that Mayfield has not been extended. He just isn’t clutch.
Going 2-7 down the stretch is all the proof you need. #NoPlayoffs
April 27th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Saying that Morrison isnt a starting CB after half a rookie year is ridiculous.
Barber and Kelly looked horrible after their rookie years. CB might be the most difficult position to transition from college to the NFL. It takes them a year to adjust. Sometimes a bit longer.
Morrison didn’t really have an off-season to prepare.
Give the kid a full off-season and training camp with preseason action. He has tons of talent and is a good hard working kid.
Geez
April 27th, 2026 at 11:19 am
Jonnu Smith is available and had his best season in Atlanta in 2023 with our current TE coach. Seems like a fit to me.
April 27th, 2026 at 11:24 am
I would take Bain every day, however, Keiper is correct. Otten is so-so. Culp and the others never see the field for a reason- -could it be that they an no good? If they can’t beat out Otten then that’s it!
April 27th, 2026 at 11:52 am
kiper isnt wrong baker needs a te . he needs a big target now that evans is gone. unfortunately bucs had too many holes on this roster.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Kiper was one of the firsts to get ESPN into the draft game but his time and takes have passed. He has always downgraded teams that did not follow his path. He’s not serious.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Cuuuuuuulp !!!
April 27th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Seems they had their eye on Joly maybe b4 Denver swooped in to grab him b4 taking Capehart
April 27th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
How are the tight ends supposed to beat anyone out for playing time when all they do are walk though practices and they never get on the field? Grizz was the issue. Hopefully Zac gives them a chance in the preseason.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
My only issue was Trotter over CJ. That still doesn’t make any sense.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
I’m unsurprisingly lukewarm on Mel Kiper. Cat gets butthurt every time teams pick ahead of his divine order.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
This guy is an idiot. He had our biggest need as TE and kept mocking Sadiq to us. Hard to be more stupid.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
I never thought TE was a big need. Sure Otton sucked against the Rams but his lack of production was mainly due to lack of targets. Idiots like Kiper forget to look at targets.
At ATL, Zac had a weak receiver room so he ran lots of 12. With the Bucs receivers, I expect much less 12 personnel. Mel does OK with talent evaluation but doesn’t understand team needs nearly as well.
April 27th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
I just don’t know where Kiper thinks we should have drafted said Tight End. Round 1 instead of Bain? Round 2 instead of Trotter? All the top ones were gone in round 2. No roster is complete and we still need corner help big time, but I’d like to see what Robinson can do with out TE room before jumping to conclusions.
April 27th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Here’s an idea… when you got a stacked WR room, don’t use a bunch of 2 TEs set. Just because the Rams do it, doesn’t mean the Bucs need to do it.
Also, just sign a TE if it’s really an issue. David Njoku is still out there, and could be the 1B to Otton’s 1A. Also Jonnu Smith is still available, could take a flyer on Darren Waller as well.
But if you’re 5 deep at WR, how about using 3 WR sets.
Just an idea.
April 27th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Who is Mel Kiper anyway?
April 27th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Buc’s first round pick and fourth round were great, Home Run!
It is the second round that they will probably regret.
Choosing a run stuffing LB over more versatile guys like
Hill, Allen and Golday I am not a fan of the Trotter pick.
Trotter = KJ Britt, another miss on a second rounder.
April 27th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
All the great teams in history had good tight ends
April 27th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
We will all know by the end of the season which picks were good and which weren’t. I don’t have a problem with Jason Licht, he has proven himself as a good drafter and evaluator of talent. There isn’t one team that will hit on every one of there draft picks and free agent pickups this year or any year. What will be most telling is how these guys are used and how the coaches and players deal with the hardships and adversity that every team deals with during the long season. When problems happen will they either get tough and play harder or will they quit like last year?
April 27th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Sound familiar? Mel Kiper is just sour grapes the Bucs didn’t fall for his over inflated bluster again.
Mel Kiper Jr. was extremely high on O.J. Howard during the 2017 NFL Draft cycle, frequently praising him as a “matchup nightmare”. Kiper consistently ranked Howard as the top tight end in the class and a top-tier overall talent.
His high regard for Howard included the following assessments:
Elite Value: After Howard was selected 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kiper called it one of the best picks of the entire draft, stating he couldn’t believe Howard fell that far.
Draft Grade Impact: Kiper gave the Buccaneers an A- grade for their 2017 draft, largely because they landed Howard at No. 19.
Top 5 Potential: In his final “Big Board,” Kiper ranked Howard as the No. 5 overall prospect in the entire 2017 class, suggesting he had the tools to go as high as No. 4 overall.
Versatility: Kiper gushed about Howard’s rare combination of size (6’6″, 251 lbs) and speed (4.51 40-yard dash), noting that unlike many “glorified receivers” at the position, Howard was also an exceptional blocker and an “extension of the offensive line”.
April 27th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Piper is a relic from the past and is why the NFL has delegated him to a secondary role in the televised draft in Pittsburgh. His face has the look of a man soured from eating too many dill pickles.
His time as an analyst reminds me of a relative that no one looks forward to listening to.
April 27th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Of the available linebackers, Trotter was the best one to pair with Angelonie. Trotter is faster than Britt. While coverage may be his weakness, hard hitting and run stopping isn’t. Angelonie will get the coverage responsibility. We’ll need another lb next draft and they can target coverage skills then.
April 27th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
C.
5-12.
April 27th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Now with a decent grade I feel worried.
How often all these so called experts are right and how often are wrong.
I m guessing they are more wrong.
We see all these guys on the field, all these other stuff are just content.
April 27th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Mel Kiper makes $400,000 per year and has a net worth of 7 million.
Just to remind you guys.
He gets paid of ton of money to suck at his job.
April 27th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Mel kipper ? Never heard of her!
April 27th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Dude has been obsessed w TE and the Bucs lolol.
Take it Easy
April 27th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Watching Scott play he is actually the player I am most excited about.
April 27th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Kiper has the only job in the world next to the weather man where he can be wrong all the time and not get fired.
April 28th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Mel piper has had about a 20% prediction accuracy total from 1984-present. The majority of the picks he correctly picked over that length of time were the 1st overall when it was apparent who was going to picked. If you were to take away all of his 1st overall pick, his accuracy drops to a 5-6% accuracy. How he is employed and still making dumb predictions and horrible mock drafts is beyond belief. If I had 365 days to scout and make predictions, I could probably have a higher percentage than him. His only job is to make predictions and is only correct 6% accurate and he still sucks. Whatever he says is just garbage coming out his mouth.