The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have plenty of football left to play, but their 1-5 start has already put them near the top of early 2027 NFL mock drafts. ESPN's Field Yates has Tampa Bay add one of college football's most productive defensive players to address its pass rush.

In his latest 2027 NFL mock draft, Yates projects the Buccaneers to select Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons with the No. 4 overall pick. The projected order is based on NFL standings through Week 6, with Tampa Bay sitting behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans.

Simmons has had an impressive college career, recording 116 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 31.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles in 35 games with the Longhorns. His production has been even more impressive this season: 25 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in six appearances.

However, the Texas standout is currently dealing with an injury that will keep him off the field.

Simmons suffered a high ankle sprain during Texas' 27-24 loss to Florida on October 17. He needed help leaving the field before being carted to the locker room and couldn't return. According to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods, an MRI revealed no structural damage, but Simmons is expected to miss three to four weeks.

Texas has officially ruled him out for Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss, although his status beyond that game remains uncertain. The injury interrupts what had been a dominant season for Simmons, who leads the nation in sacks and tackles for loss. No one has confirmed that his season is over.

For Tampa Bay, Simmons would represent another significant investment in a defensive front that has struggled to consistently finish plays. The Buccaneers have recorded 11 sacks through six games, including five against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. David Walker leads the team with four sacks, while rookie Rueben Bain Jr. recorded his first career sack against Pittsburgh.

Walker and Bain have given Tampa Bay reasons to be optimistic about its young pass rushers, but the team still needs more consistent production from the rest of the group. Adding a player with Simmons' ability to get into the backfield could give the Buccaneers another legitimate threat off the edge.

Simmons also has an interesting connection to Tampa Bay's current roster. Both Simmons and Bain entered college as highly regarded pass-rushing prospects, and pairing them with Walker would give the Buccaneers several young defenders who could develop together.

Of course, the Buccaneers have 11 games remaining, and their eventual draft position could change significantly before the season ends. Simmons' recovery and the rest of his college season will also matter in evaluating him as a potential top-five selection.

Still, Yates' projection makes sense when considering Tampa Bay's need for a more consistent pass rush. The Buccaneers have already invested in young talent along their defensive front, and adding Simmons would give that group another potential difference-maker heading into 2027.