Offense or defense? With the 15th pick, the Buccaneers face a critical decision. Will they add an explosive receiver or bolster their defense?
The NFL draft is less than two weeks away and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been relatively quiet regarding their target with the No. 15 overall pick.
On Thursday, ESPN's Jordan Reid reported that Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq is "a real possibility" for Tampa, predicting a second straight draft where the Bucs go offense in the first round.
Roundtable's Jeremy Ballreich recently highlighted Sadiq, calling him "one of the most exciting hybrid tight ends in the 2026 class."
Sadiq hauled in 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, helping lead the Ducks to a 12-win season last year.
He is a talented pass-catcher, but doesn't provide much upside as a blocker. Instead, he plays more like a big receiver, which could make him a perfect candidate to take over the fade routes and goal-line production lost by Mike Evans' departure.
While Sadiq's athleticism and 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame make him an interesting target for the Bucs and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Tampa's defense should take priority at No. 15.
Toward the end of last year, during Tampa's late-season stumble, the defense struggled to get consistent stops, especially in big moments.
The Bucs have also lost production on multiple levels of the defense, including from their lead cornerback Jamel Dean, who signed with Pittsburgh on March 9, and legendary linebacker Lavonte David.
David, who was a starter for the Bucs for 14 seasons, retired in March; meanwhile Tampa Bay signed veteran linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom.
Tampa also added veteran defensive back depth, but failed to secure a true No. 1 cornerback going into next season.
McCoy, who missed last season with a torn ACL, was a second-team All-American in 2024, recording nine pass break-ups and four interceptions.
With McCoy healthy, Tennessee had the second-best pass defense in the SEC. In 2025, without him, it ranked 14th.
Delante, also a product of the SEC, had a standout season in Baton Rouge after three years at Virginia Tech.
The former Tiger earned a first-team All-SEC nod this past season, logging 45 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and a unanimous All-American honorable mention.
While Sadiq would be an enticing selection, the Bucs have bigger holes to fill. Adding youth to the defensive side of the ball is crucial as the team gets older through free agency.
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