Bucs Land Ted Hurst in Third Round After Senior Bowl Surge

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst with the 85th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, ending his third-round slide despite a strong Senior Bowl performance. The Bucs see Hurst as a potential red zone threat and outside receiver in their evolving offense.

Hurst, who stood out in Mobile with his 6'3", 215-pound frame and 4.46 40-yard dash, was projected to go in the first or second round by many analysts. However, he fell to the third round, where Tampa Bay pounced. Team sources confirmed that they had Hurst ranked in the top 60 and viewed his landing in the third round as appropriate rather than a slide or a reach.

The Bucs drafted Hurst into a competitive receiver room. With Mike Evans now in New York, Hurst will vie for playing time alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka. He's also set to challenge Jalen McMillen for the third receiver spot. If Hurst can secure a starting role, his size and physicality could make him a mismatch in the red zone.

Hurst's college production was solid but not overwhelming. He caught 112 passes for 1,385 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final season at Georgia State, averaging 12.3 yards per catch. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the Senior Bowl was one of the fastest among wideouts.

Team sources told the "Why the Slide?" series that they did not see Hurst's draft position as a drop. "We had him ranked in that range on our board," one source said. "He went to an appropriate area and was not a reach or a slider."

Tampa Bay's recent success with small-school draft picks gives Hurst a chance to follow in that tradition. His arrival adds physicality and size to an offense that could use more red zone threats in 2026.

The Bucs didn't disclose contract terms for Hurst, but third-round picks typically sign for around $3.5 million over four years. The move allows Tampa Bay to continue building depth in the receiving corps while keeping cap flexibility.

Hurst will report to training camp in July with a chance to make an impact in his rookie season. If he can stay healthy and show consistent production, he could become a valuable contributor in a competitive WR room.