The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be in the market for a new playmaker for Baker Mayfield next year.
While Mayfield's future is uncertain because of his contract situation, there's optimism he will re-sign. As Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts in his 2027 NFL Mock Draft, he projects the Buccaneers to pick LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green with the 19th overall draft pick.
Green is considered one of the top tight ends in next year's draft along with Oregon's Jamari Johnson. They're expected to be the top two tight end picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7 Green produced four catches for 58 yards in LSU's 51-10 beatdown of the Clemson Tigers.
"Baker Mayfield's contract situation must be settled over the next six months," writes Sobleski. "As
of now, he should be expected to re-sign, even though it's not a given. With Mayfield at quarterback, the Buccaneers continue to build around him by adding a mismatch at tight end with a huge catch radius in LSU's Trey'Dez Green. The junior prospect would complement Cade Otton nicely."
Cade Otton has served as the Buccaneers' go-to tight end since Tom Brady's last year in 2022. Otton has started 58 of his 63 career games and posted a career-high 59 catches for 572 receiving yards and a touchdown last season. While Otton has certainly proved to be a solid tight end, he's far from being an elite one.
On the other hand, Green could very well be an elite tight end in the NFL given his frame and his athleticism. He's a dual-sport athlete, having suited up in six games for the LSU basketball team during his freshman season. During his 2025 season, Green posted 33 catches for 433 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while garnering Second-team All-SEC honors.
During a recent interview, Kiffin raved about Green being one of the Tigers' key players this season.
“Well, they'll be familiar with them, but you know Trey'Dez Green, the tight end," said Kiffin when asked about key LSU players this season outside of Sam Leavitt.
Green would give Mayfield a bona fide elite threat at the tight end position, while replacing some of the lost touchdown production from the Mike Evans departure. Evans is the all-time leading receiver in Bucs history in touchdown catches (108).
"Green is listed at 6'7" and 240 pounds, which opens eyes before he even takes the field," writes Knox. "He's still learning the nuances of the position, but he's a problem down the seam of opposing defenses and good at creating yards after the catch."
Knox mentions other draft prospect possibilities for the Buccaneers with their first-round pick, mainly focusing on the trenches. He mentions Oregon DL A'Mauri Washington, Iowa OL Trevor Lauck, and Notre Dame edge rusher Boubacar Traore.
It always helps to build in the trenches, but the Buccaneers may find it more appealing to draft a player who can help replace the greatest receiver in franchise history, Evans. The 6-foot-7 Green may be the key to doing that while helping out Mayfield after he signs a potential big deal with the Buccaneers.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers predicted to land 6-foot-7 tight end for Baker Mayfield
