The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished with an 8-9 record during the 2025 NFL season. Tampa Bay failed to qualify for the playoffs, and they will look to retool the roster. The defense was a major problem for the Buccaneers last season. They will have the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers need to address all levels of the defense throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. It is rare for a Todd Bowles coached team to not have a good defense. They need to get back to basics during the offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Auburn Tigers DE Keldric Faulk In Latest 2026 CBS Sports Mock Draft
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Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk (DL38) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports created his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft. With Tampa Bay’s 15th overall selection, he has that franchise selecting Auburn Tigers edge rusher Keldric Faulk. Fornelli said, “I’ve heard a lot of different opinions on Faulk, from where he’s best suited to play to how effective he’ll be at either position. I remain a fan and believe he has the potential to be a damn good player, and the Bucs’ pass rush can use more of those.” Faulk could go higher than 15 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There are a lot of talented pass rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He does have a lot of potential to be good in the NFL. Faulk is 6’6″ and weighs 285 lbs. Last college football season with the Tigers, he recorded 29 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery, and four pass deflections. If Tampa Bay does not draft Faulk, they no doubt need help in the secondary.
This is going to be a big draft for general manager Jason Licht. If he can draft well, Tampa Bay can be back in the playoffs in 2026. If things don’t well, then they could be entering a rebuild soon, especially since they lost wide receiver Mike Evans in free agency. Drafting Faulk 15th overall would be a nice start to fixing this defense, however.
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