Check out the Bucs’ 6’4″, 206-lb WR hailed as a “favorite pick” in the NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the most uncertainty at wide receiver in 2026, with Ted Hurst emerging as the biggest wild card. The 3rd-round pick (No. 84) is a 6-foot-4, 206-pound receiver who impressed at Georgia State after transferring from Valdosta State, compiling 127 receptions for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns across his last two seasons. His elite athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine—a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump—helped him stand out, and analysts pegged him as a strong third-round value.

Hurst’s role for the Buccaneers could evolve as they transition from the era of Mike Evans. Evans departed in free agency, opening opportunities for veteran receivers Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan, along with tight end Cade Otton. While Hurst may not provide an immediate impact like some early-round contributors, he could become a long-term lineup piece, potentially replacing Godwin in deeper rotations as his career progresses. His selection was highlighted by The Athletic as one of the draft’s favorite picks, underscoring the high upside and developmental potential in a wide receiver corps that is rebuilding for the future.

Key takeaways:
– Ted Hurst is a high-upside, size+athletic-profile WR added to a Bucaneers’ thin WR room.
– Combine performance and production at Georgia State boosted his draft stock, with projections leaning toward a later-round role and long-term development.
– The Buccaneers must replace Mike Evans’s production, relying on Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan, Otton, and emerging talents like Hurst to drive the passing game in 2026.