The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 2-5 after Sunday's 43-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, but their early-season struggles have already put them near the top of several 2027 NFL mock drafts.
In his latest Pro Football Network mock draft, NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante projects Tampa Bay to select Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker with the fourth overall pick. The projection was published before Sunday's victory and does not reflect the Buccaneers' updated draft position.
Becker has emerged as one of Indiana's most productive offensive weapons this season, recording 42 receptions for 726 yards and eight touchdowns through eight games. He's averaging 17.3 yards per reception, including a nine-catch, 165-yard performance against Ohio State on October 17. He also finished the 2025 season with 34 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 20 yards per catch.
At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Becker does much of his damage downfield. He uses his size and speed to threaten defenses on vertical routes, particularly fades, posts, and deep crossing patterns. His ability to track the football and adjust to throws makes him hard to defend in contested-catch situations, while his physicality lets him work through contact at the line of scrimmage.
Becker isn't a finished product, however. His route running remains more effective vertically than on sharp-breaking patterns, where his change of direction can limit separation. Developing a more complete route tree and becoming more consistent against tight coverage will be important as he prepares for the NFL.
For Tampa Bay, Becker would provide another outside receiving option alongside Emeka Egbuka, whom the Buccaneers selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His downfield ability could help an offense that has struggled to consistently generate explosive passing plays, while his size would give Baker Mayfield another target capable of winning against physical coverage.
The question is whether Tampa Bay should prioritize a wide receiver with a premium draft pick. The Buccaneers have also struggled to protect their quarterbacks this season, and addressing the offensive line could provide a more immediate improvement than adding another pass catcher.
Infante's projection is an intriguing option for Tampa Bay, but Becker's development as a route runner and the Buccaneers' performance over the rest of the season will help determine whether the fit makes sense when the 2027 NFL Draft arrives.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Mock draft Monday: Buccaneers projected to draft Indiana WR