Grading the selection of WR Ted Hurst by the Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned to the offensive side of the ball in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting wide receiver Ted Hurst, a pick that comes in with a C+ grade.

From a traits standpoint, Hurst brings something the Bucs’ receiver room has been lacking: true size. At 6-foot-4 with 4.42 speed, he immediately becomes the biggest wideout in the group and offers a much-needed red zone presence. This was a team that, at times in 2025, found itself throwing fade routes to 5-foot-10 Sterling Shepard, so adding a legitimate boundary target with length and catch radius gives them back the size they lost in Mike Evans.

Even with the size addition, the wide receiver room is still crowded. Chris Godwin Jr is now the veteran of the offense, while Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson are all behind him, carving their roles and looking to take the next step. That’s a lot of competition for targets, and it makes it difficult to project where Hurst fits in immediately. He may solve a specific problem, but he’s entering a room where opportunities won’t come easily.

There's also the fact Tampa Bay still has questions in the secondary and skipped over it to draft Hurst. Particularly when it comes to depth at cornerback and safety. After a rocky 2025 season from now-top corner Zyon McCollum, adding competition and insurance on the back end felt like a priority. Passing on that here makes this pick feel more like a luxury addition than a necessity. That’s what ultimately holds this grade down despite the fit.

Hurst brings size, speed, and a skill set that fills a real gap in the offense, especially in the red zone. But with a crowded receiver room and more pressing needs elsewhere, this feels like a pick that may take time to justify its value long-term.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft: Grading the selection of WR Ted Hurst by the Bucs