Buccaneers get Baker Mayfield ultimate gift in latest mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster and its needs, there aren't too many on offense; in fact, you could make the case that the franchise is set.
Yes, you could go for a luxury pick with a receiver, but even with the loss of Mike Evans, the Buccaneers have a group of weapons for Baker Mayfield that he can win with.
But over the last week, we have seen a shift in who the Buccaneers will take in mock drafts. Originally, edge rushers were the big ticket item, but now? It's tight end.
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr, in his latest mock draft, has the Buccaneers going with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
"The Buccaneers only utilized 12-personnel on about 18% of snaps last season," Orr wrote. "With most of the league shifting quickly toward multiple tight end sets as a standard—and a season after Baker Mayfield was dinged up, relying often on his legs to both early success and overall detriment—the Buccaneers know a shift is afoot. Sadiq isn’t a one-for-one Mike Evans replacement, but would juice an offense that needs to look and feel different in 2026. "
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While Sadiq is listed as a tight end, most scouts and draft experts view him as a big receiver, and one who can be a vertical threat.
Yes, Cade Otton is the other starting tight end and finished second in yards last season, but Sadiq is a genuine chain mover and a weapon defenses simply have to account for.
You could make the case that the Buccaneers really don't need another offensive player given their defensive needs, but I get the sense that if Sadiq is still on the board when Tampa Bay picks, the franchise might have a hard time passing on him.
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