It may be early, but projections for the 2027 NFL Draft are already starting, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are being linked to targeting help in their secondary.

In a way-too-early mock draft from Cooper Petagna of CBS Sports, the Buccaneers are projected to select Brice Pollock with the No. 13 overall pick. As noted in the projection, Pollock was a key contributor during Texas Tech’s run to the College Football Playoff and brings a profile built on movement skills and instincts, along with five interceptions.

The production backs that up. In 2025 at Texas Tech, Pollock logged 797 total snaps with 496 coming in coverage, recording 43 tackles, 12 defensive stops, and five interceptions. He allowed 35 receptions on 69 targets, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 50.7 percent completion rate with a 35.7 passer rating when targeted.

After transferring from Mississippi State, where he played over 700 snaps in 2024, Pollock showed clear growth in both usage and efficiency. His ability to handle a high volume of coverage snaps while limiting production points to a player who can function in multiple roles on the backend.

For Tampa Bay, the projection lines up with a position that continues to cycle for depth, and Pollock’s combination of ball production and coverage efficiency fits the type of defensive back the team has leaned toward in recent drafts.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs linked to CB Brice Pollock in early 2027 NFL Mock Draft