The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had something special brewing this NFL season before injuries limited their potential. Early on, quarterback Baker Mayfield was a fringe MVP candidate, and the offense was firing on all cylinders. However, injuries and a lackluster defense derailed Tampa Bay’s season, leading to a Wild Card round exit.
As a result, the Bucs’ primary focus this offseason has to be on defense, especially improving the pass rush. And in his recent seven-round mock draft, PFSN’s Ian Cummings predicts Tampa Bay pulls off a major draft day trade for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Could the Bengals Move Trey Hendrickson to the Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay finished 16th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season, and its current pass-rushing options — Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby — combined for just 12 sacks last season.
Former first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was a disappointment and is likely to hit free agency, making way for a trade. And Hendrickson, coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, would be a game-changer.
Under Cummings’ trade projection, the Buccaneers acquire Hendrickson by sending their No. 84 pick and a 2026 second-rounder to the Bengals.
Hendrickson had the best season of his career last year, posting 17.5 sacks, 46 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits. Production like this would instantly elevate Tampa Bay’s defense.
The Buccaneers are already familiar with Hendrickson’s talent. They saw it firsthand when he spent his first four NFL seasons with their NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints.
In 2021, Hendrickson signed a four-year, $60 million free agent contract with the Bengals and later agreed to a one-year, $21 million extension in 2023, keeping him under contract through 2025.
Hendrickson has expressed interest in a new deal, but Cincinnati isn’t willing to pay the 30-year-old what he believes he’s worth. As a result, they have granted him permission to seek a trade.
This opens the door for Tampa Bay to make a much-needed defensive upgrade. Of course, a player of Henderickson’s caliber won’t come cheap, but if the Bucs want to compete for another Super Bowl, acquiring him could fast-track their rebuild.
To further bolster the pass rush, Cummings also predicts Tampa Bay will draft Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with its first-round selection.
“While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded for Trey Hendrickson in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, they’re not done yet at EDGE. While Hendrickson serves as the fast, big-bodied pass-rush specialist, Mykel Williams is the elite power producer and battering ram to complement him.”
While there are more polished edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft, few have a higher ceiling than Williams. He has the ideal size and length to project as a 4-3 defensive end. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage stands out, and he can win as a pass rusher in multiple ways.
It’s easy to see why teams are enticed by Williams’ long-term potential. He pairs his elite physical attributes with a relentless motor and has the upside to reach double-digit sacks — just like Hendrickson.