The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making the most of their time in Indianapolis. With a strategic approach to their meetings, the Bucs are diving deep into the talent pool, conducting both formal and informal interviews with draft prospects.
Each NFL team is allotted 45 formal interviews, each lasting 18 minutes. This is a slight change from previous years, where teams had 60 interviews of 15 minutes each.
For the Buccaneers, these formal sessions are led by coordinators, general manager Jason Licht, and head coach Todd Bowles. Meanwhile, area scouts and position coaches handle the informal interviews, allowing them to cast a wider net.
The Bucs have a history of keeping their cards close to the chest, as seen in their stealthy approach to drafting Calijah Kancey in 2023. This year, they continue to evaluate talent with a mix of discretion and diligence.
Here’s a look at some of the prospects the Bucs have engaged with at the Combine:
Tight Ends
- Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)
- Max Klare (Ohio State)
- Sam Roush (Stanford)
- Oscar Delp (Georgia)
- Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M)
- Will Kacmarek (Ohio State)
- Eli Raridon (Notre Dame)
Informal discussions have included talents like Josh Cuevas from Alabama and Matt Hibner from SMU, among others.
Safeties
- Genesis Smith (Arizona)
The Bucs have also shown interest in a range of safeties through informal chats, including V.J. Payne from Kansas State and Bishop Fitzgerald from USC.
Cornerbacks
- Treydan Stukes (Arizona)
The informal list features potential standouts like Chandler Rivers from Duke and Latrell McCutchin from Houston.
Linebackers
- Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
- CJ Allen (Georgia)
- Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
- Jake Golday (Cincinnati)
- Josiah Trotter (Missouri)
- Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh)
- Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma)
- Justin Jefferson (Alabama)
Informal interviews have been conducted with prospects such as Lander Barton from Utah and Harold Perkins from LSU.
Edge Rushers
- Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
- R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)
- Zion Young (Missouri)
- Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
- Romello Height (Texas Tech)
- T.J. Parker (Clemson)
- Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
- Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan)
The Bucs have also reached out informally to players like Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State and Patrick Payton from LSU.
Defensive Line
- Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
- Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
- Caleb Banks (Florida)
- Darrell Jackson (Florida State)
- Zxavien Harris (Ole Miss)
- Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M)
In addition to these formal interviews, informal discussions have included talents like Chris McClellan from Missouri and Demonte Capehart from Clemson.
As the Combine progresses, the Buccaneers will continue to refine their draft strategy, keeping a keen eye on prospects who can bolster their roster. Stay tuned for more updates as the team navigates this crucial phase of the offseason.