The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again being linked to a quarterback in an early 2027 NFL mock draft.
In his latest mock draft for Giants Wire, Paul M. Banks projected the Buccaneers to select Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr with the No. 19 overall pick. Banks’ reasoning centered around Baker Mayfield entering the final year of his contract, writing that Tampa Bay would need to find its next franchise quarterback if Mayfield ultimately leaves in free agency.
While it’s still far too early to know how the Buccaneers’ quarterback situation will unfold, Carr has emerged as one of college football’s most intriguing passers entering the 2026 season. The Notre Dame signal-caller put together an impressive 2025 campaign, flashing both efficiency and big-play ability throughout the year.
According to PFF, Carr completed 214 of 299 passes (71.6%) for 2,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while earning a 75.8 overall offensive grade and a 75.9 passing grade. He generated 22 big-time throws against just 14 turnover-worthy plays, averaged 9.8 yards per attempt, and finished with an adjusted completion percentage of 73.9%.
Carr also showed an ability to push the ball downfield without sacrificing efficiency. He threw for at least 290 yards in four games, including a 354-yard, four-touchdown performance against Arkansas, while posting PFF passing grades above 90.0 against Purdue and Boston College. His ability to create explosive plays while protecting the football helped establish him as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2027 draft class.
Of course, any discussion about Tampa Bay selecting a quarterback next spring depends almost entirely on what happens with Mayfield. The veteran remains the Buccaneers’ starter and is entering a contract year, with both sides still working toward a potential extension before the season begins.
If a new deal gets done, Tampa Bay likely won’t be in the quarterback market. If not, mock drafts connecting the Buccaneers to prospects like Carr will only become more common as the college football season unfolds.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs land a new QB in latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
