The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are focusing on strengthening their defensive line in the upcoming NFL draft, with their first pick at No. 15. They have seven total picks, including three in the top 100.
Key points
Tampa Bay Buccaneers focusing on defensive line in NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are thought to be focusing on their defensive line during this year’s NFL draft, and could do that either on the edge or on the interior.
The Bucs will make their opening selection at No. 15 this Thursday night. Tampa Bay owns seven picks, including three in the top 100.
BucsRoundtable is taking a closer look at potential fits for the Bucs, with respect to the current roster, positions of need, and the X's and O's of the team's on-field schemes.
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Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton reacts as the Sooners host Missouri on Nov. 22, 2025, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton reacts as the Sooners host Missouri on Nov. 22, 2025, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
High-Energy
By the time his college career ended, Halton established himself as one of the best pass-rushing lineman in America. He combined for 58 pressures over his last two college seasons, and his 30 in 2025 ranked 21st out of 887 DL.
A big reason Halton was able to generate pressure was his relentless motor, and that energy could translate to the NFL.
Many defensive tackles struggle to maintain a uptempo pace throughout four quarters of football. This hasn’t been a problem for Halton.
Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton celebrates after a sack as the Sooners host Auburn on Sept. 20, 2025. (Bryan Terry/Imagn Images)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton celebrates after a sack as the Sooners host Auburn on Sept. 20, 2025. (Bryan Terry/Imagn Images)
Background & College Career
Halton played at Oklahoma for all four of his college seasons, becoming a semi-regular starter in 2025. He played in 10 games as a reserve during his true freshman season in 2022, then 11 as a reserve in 2023 before starting three games as a junior.
Halton started seven games in 2025, playing in all 13 and helping Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. He ended the season with 33 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
“He’s really matured into a fantastic, emotional, well-versed leader. He speaks in front of the team and guys listen,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said last November. “They do that because of the amount of time, effort and energy he's put into his career.
"Couldn't be more proud of him and the way he's just kind of grown up through the last several years.”
Oklahoma defender Gracen Halton looks on during the Sooners' 42-3 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Oklahoma defender Gracen Halton looks on during the Sooners' 42-3 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
On-Field Strengths
Along with his pass-rushing ability, scouts have noticed Halton is agile on his feet and controls his body well, which helps him defend the run. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Halton as "best suited for a rotational role in a movement-based front."
"He plays with synced hands and feet and good lateral agility," Zierlein wrote.
Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton pressures South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers as the Sooners host the Gamecocks on Oct. 19, 2024, at OU Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton pressures South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers as the Sooners host the Gamecocks on Oct. 19, 2024, at OU Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Areas for Improvement
Halton weighs less than 300 pounds (293), which, considering his position, will raise some questions. This relative lack of size leads to him having a lack of leverage, which makes it more difficult for him to control his gap.
"His initial quickness makes him quite slippery but a centered block can clear him from the run lane due to his lack of mass/anchor," Zierlein wrote.
Combine Performance
At this year's NFL combine, Halton ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.82 seconds, which is well above average for an NFL defensive tackle. His vertical jump of 36.5 inches, was more than six inches above the average for his position group, and his broad jump of 9 feet, 6 inches -- again, well above average.
NFL.com gave Halton a production score of 71, which ranked sixth amongst NFL defensive tackles.
Prospect Draft Position
The Mock Draft Database has Halton as the No. 77 overall prospect, which would put him in the third round. Pewter Plank had the Bucs taking Halton in the fourth round in one of its mocks, and Buccaneers.com had the team drafting Halton in the third round.
