If the Buccaneers are staring at a future without Baker Mayfield, the 2027 NFL Draft could be their cleanest path to the next quarterback. Tampa Bay is already dealing with an ugly contract dispute with Mayfield, and the possibility of the former No. 1 pick moving on in 2027 and beyond makes the draft feel like a very real escape hatch.
That’s especially true because this class is expected to be deep. Many around the league believe it could be one of the best quarterback groups in recent memory, which gives Tampa Bay a chance to find a long-term answer even if Mayfield plays well enough to push the Bucs away from the top of the board.
Here are five quarterbacks the Buccaneers could have their eye on.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, looks like the toughest read in the class. His short accuracy is dead-on and his pocket presence should help him post huge numbers and stay in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but Tampa Bay would still have to weigh how much of that production comes from being surrounded by what should be a loaded Buckeyes team.
LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina brings a very different appeal. He has the kind of raw tools teams dream about: a 60-yard arm and a 4.5 40.
The catch is that his pocket accuracy is not very good, so he’ll need time to develop. Still, the upside is massive, with an All-Pro ceiling.
Jayden Maiava, USC, offers a more traditional pocket-passing profile with real power behind it. He hasn’t shown great escapability, but when he’s protected he can throw it as well as anyone in the country. In Lincoln Riley’s offense, that kind of arm talent will stand out to any team studying the tape.
Darian Mensah, Miami, brings a different set of strengths. His arm strength is below average, and he is going to be very skinny by pro standards, but he does a lot of things right. His timing and accuracy are the traits that jump off the page, and those are the kinds of skills that usually travel.
At No. 5 is Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State. He may head back to school to become QB1 in 2028, but if he’s even half as effective in Stillwater as he was at North Texas, the Buccaneers will have reason to pay close attention. His downfield accuracy and pocket poise could make him the kind of quarterback Tampa Bay would feel comfortable plugging into an NFL offense.
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