TAMPA, FL — The Mike Evans era in Tampa Bay is officially over. After the franchise icon signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers last week, the Buccaneers face a brutal reality: 1,000-yard seasons don’t just grow on trees. General Manager Jason Licht has been active, bringing in Jake Browning to back up Baker Mayfield and adding veteran grit like Kenneth Gainwell and Alex Anzalone, but the heavy lifting starts in April. With the 15th overall pick, Tampa Bay must decide if they want to chase a new offensive identity or patch a defense that just lost Jamel Dean to the Steelers.
The Hybrid Threat: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Mel Kiper Jr. isn’t looking for a direct Evans clone—because one doesn’t exist. Instead, he’s pointing the Bucs toward Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. This isn’t your traditional Y-tight end. Sadiq stands 6-foot-3 and blazed a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. He isn’t going to live on the boundary like Evans, but he offers a vertical seam threat that creates headaches for defensive coordinators. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson loves heavy tight-end sets, and Sadiq’s ability to outrun linebackers while overpowering safeties makes him a weapon Mayfield can lean on in the red zone. He finished 2025 with 8 touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends.
The Pass Rush Fix: Ahkeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
While the offense has a hole, Tim Crean of ClutchPoints argues the defense has a leak. The Bucs signed Al-Quadin Muhammad, but he’s a short-term fix. Ahkeem Mesidor is the “win-now” button. At 25 years old, Mesidor is a polished technician who wrecked ACC backfields last year with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He doesn’t rely on raw athleticism; he uses a sophisticated plan to dismantle offensive tackles. For a team in a winnable NFC South, Mesidor’s maturity means he can contribute on Sunday of Week 1 without the typical rookie learning curve.
Rebuilding the Island: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The departure of Jamel Dean left a massive crater in the secondary. Mike Renner at CBS Sports thinks Colton Hood is the answer. Hood was a statistical freak in 2025, becoming the only SEC defender to record a pick-six and a fumble return touchdown in the same season. Todd Bowles demands corners who can hit, and Hood fits that mold perfectly. He’s a physical presence in the run game who also possesses the 4.44 speed to track burners vertically. If the Bucs don’t address the perimeter, their blitz-heavy scheme could fall apart under the weight of explosive plays.
The Bull in the Trenches: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Max Chadwick of PFF looks at the numbers and sees a different problem. Tampa Bay’s pass rush was fine last year, but their run defense crumbled, ranking 23rd in the league. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk is a 285-pound monster who eats double teams for breakfast. He’s a versatile chess piece for Bowles, capable of sliding inside to a 5-technique or holding the edge. Faulk might not put up 15 sacks a year, but he ensures the opposing running back doesn’t see daylight, allowing the linebackers to play fast and clean.
“Losing a guy like Mike hurts, no doubt. He was the heartbeat. But this front office has a track record of finding guys who work. Whoever we bring in, they better be ready to compete from day one because the standard here hasn’t changed.”
— Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Quarterback
What’s Next for the Bucs?
The Buccaneers are in an enviable spot where they don’t have to reach. The free-agency additions of A’Shawn Robinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad provide enough veteran cover to let the draft board come to them. If the top three edge rushers are gone, Sadiq becomes a lock. If the board is heavy on offensive tackles, look for Licht to trade back and accumulate more assets. The 2026 season hinges on whether they can replace Evans’ production through diversity rather than just volume.
