Today is media day for the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Top players and coaches are gathered in Tampa to answer questions and establish expectations for the coming season. It is a sign of college football on the horizon.
Since there is SEC talk in Tampa anyways, this feels like a good time to preview what players from the conference could be a target for the Buccaneers in next year’s draft. These players already have at least a year of film to evaluate. At this point it is only a matter of projecting team needs and fit.
And while we don’t exactly know what the Buccaneers will need in next year’s draft, we know what contracts are set to expire after this year. We also have a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the roster. Using this we can predict that these will be needs that have to be filled next offseason.
With that said, here are the top five prospects that the Buccaneers could draft from the SEC.
5) Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSU
After being heavily linked to tight ends in last year’s draft, I expect that to continue next offseason. Despite re-signing Cade Otton the Bucs are still looking for a game changing pass catcher at the position. Green could be that guy.
At 6’7 and 240 lbs, Green moves like a gazelle. He can flex out into the slot and is very much the mold of a Kyle Pitts or a Kenyon Sadiq (who was linked to the Bucs in last year’s draft). Green is currently projected as a mid to late first round pick.
4) David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
With two of the Buccaneers starting defensive tackles (Vita Vea and A’Shawn Robinson) with one year left on their deal, it makes sense that they will draft a defensive tackle early next year. One that I really like is Stone.
Stone is very powerful and quick. He can disrupt the pocket at a high level, although he is still pretty raw in his pass rush technique. He’s a very high upside player and how early he’s drafted will largely depend on how he does this season.
3) Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Hardy is a very interesting prospect. I view him as the best running back in the draft, but he enters the year with an injury after being shot in the leg this offseason. How that will impact his 2026 season is still unclear, but it certainly won’t help it.
Hardy is a very different style of running back compared to what the Bucs have. He’s a physical between the tackles runner with outstanding contact balance. I’m not sure what the future holds for the often injured Bucky Irving, but Hardy looks like a franchise running back.
2) Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas
The Buccaneers put a lot of resources into revamping their linebacker room this offseason. The drafted one new starter and signed another in free agency. They now have a young run stuffer in Josiah Trotter and an experienced cover linebacker in Alex Anzalone.
However, Anzalone is older and the only linebacker on the roster with any real coverage skills. Adding a young player like Biles would make a lot of sense. At 6’1 and 220 lbs he’s agile enough to be a very good coverage player while also being physical enough to make an impact in the box.
He’d be a great complement to Trotter and will likely be drafted on day two.
1) Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
This has been one of my favorite players during the summer scouting. Echoles is powerful at the point of attack and can help shut down the running game. His strength and mobility stand out.
His game reminds me of what Ndamukong Suh brought the the Bucs in 2019. A powerful and disruptive run stuffer who savvy and skill as a pass rusher. I don’t know who will be starting at defensive tackle next year in Tampa, but I want Echoles to be one of them.
For more from J.T. click here, then make sure to follow him on Twitter.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com.
