Five Players The Buccaneers Are Most Likely To Draft On Day Two From The Senior Bowl

Every team in the NFL has tendencies when it comes to the NFL draft. Specific athletic profiles or perhaps a pipeline to a specific school; something like that which makes a player a fit for any given team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no exception to this.

We know that they will always target premium athletes, with a relative athletic score over 9.0, in the first round because they have done so every season going back to 2016. However, the Bucs have a tendency that goes back even further than that. This relates to the college all star showcase known as the Senior Bowl.

Since Jason Licht took over as general manager in 2014, the Buccaneers have drafted a senior bowl participant in every draft he has led. Even more than that, Licht has used a day two pick (second or third round) on a Senior Bowl player in each and every draft. That is a premium draft pick every year focused on this event. 

Players such as Jacob Parrish, Tykee Smith, Cody Mauch, Yaya Diaby and Luke Goedeke are all Senior Bowl alumni who are now critical pieces on this Bucs roster. Now, as Senior Bowl week begins, we can only sit and speculate who the next key player will be that we see in Mobile. Here are my five players the Buccaneers are most likely to draft on day two from the Senior Bowl.

Ted Hurst, Wide Receiver, Georgia State

This will certainly be a defensive heavy draft for the Bucs. Between their roster needs and the overall talent of this draft class, I expect most of their picks to be on that side of the ball. However, there is still the possibility that Mike Evans doesn’t return next year and in which case the Bucs would need to find a suitable replacement. 

Hurst is the big body profile that the Buccaneers are lacking outside of Evans. At 6 ‘3 and 185 lbs, he has the catch radius to grab anything thrown into his zip code. Unlike guys like Emeka Egbuka or Jalen McMillan, Hurst is the outside playmaker that the team could be looking for.

The physical tools here are very good. Hurst can stretch the field and has all the quickness of a good NFL route runner. If Evans retires and the Bucs address linebacker and edge before this then I could see Hurst being a natural fit in round three.

Jacob Rodriguez, Linebacker, Texas Tech

I expect the Buccaneers to sign a starting linebacker in free agency. However, they will still need a second starter and that will likely come through the draft. I believe some of the bigger name prospects like Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese will be off the board by the time the Bucs pick, so there’s a good chance they draft that linebacker on day two. 

Rodriguez is the biggest name linebacker at the Senior Bowl this week. His instincts are excellent and his production was outstanding last season. So much so that he finished 5th in the Heisman Trophy voting, which is very impressive for a defensive player. 

I expect Licht to really love Rodriguez. No one can question his passion for the game or his play on the field. Some project Rodrigues to go on day three, but don’t be shocked if the Bucs fall in love with him and draft him on day two.

LT Overton, Defensive Line, Alabama

There has been so much talk about linebacker and edge rusher going into this offseason. It’s easy to understand why because both are major needs for this roster. However, don’t overlook the fact that the Bucs need a replacement for Logan Hall who can step in and start on the defensive line.

Overton could be the perfect guy to do that. He is a powerful and tough run defender. Alabama used him at nose tackle fairly regularly and I can understand why with his ability to hold the point of attack.

However, Overton is also athletic enough that he was used as an outside linebacker and dropped into coverage at times as well. In reality, neither of these are what he should be doing in the NFL. He’s more of a 3-4 defensive end, but his strength and athleticism make him a high floor run defender with pass rush potential.

Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

I really like the profile that Jacas brings to the table. He’s a powerful athlete at 6 ‘3 and 275 lbs, but also athletic enough to threaten the edge as a pass rusher. It’s a profile that the Bucs like as well because it is very much the same type of player as what they have in Yaya Diaby.

Jacas recorded 19.0 sacks and 26.0 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. He was named a team captain in 2025 and he set a new single season record in sacks with 11.0. On top of that, he is a Florida native who grew up just a few hours down the road in Port St. Lucie. 

The one down side I’ll say is that I don’t even expect Jacas to be a true number one pass rusher. Much like Diaby, I think he tops out at being a number two guy in a rotation. Even if that is the case, it would be nothing but hel[ful to have a guy like this as part of the pass rush.

Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech

This is the pass rusher that Bucs fans are looking for. Height is very quick and explosive with all the bend he needs to pressure the quarterback. He might be the second best pass rusher on his own college team, but he might be the best on this roster if the Buccaneers were to draft him.

Height had 10.0 sacks last season. He’s also someone who was used to drop into coverage because he is so light on his feet. In terms of what Todd Bowles would ask him to do, this is a great fit for the Buccaneers.

On the other hand, he’s also someone who isn’t a great run defender. Combine that with him being a 25 year old rookie and he’s very likely to fall out of the first round. That makes him the ideal skill set for the Bucs to target in round two.

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