The Perils Of Drafting An Edge Rusher At No. 15
March 22nd, 2026
Todd Bowles
You know it, Joe knows it: the Bucs need an edge rusher like a fish on a boat needs water.
Of course, a potential simple way of solving this is to draft an edge rusher at No. 15.
Better brace yourself, Lee Roy Selmon breath.
Joe was listening to a recent edition of Mina Kimes’ podcast and she had words of caution for Bucs fans. She watched edge rushers bank coin in free agency this month and believes there was a reason. Kimes noted she does not see any edge rusher in the draft below a potential top-10 pick who can contribute as a rookie.
The Bucs draft at No. 15.
So in Kimes’ eyes, a team drafting an edge rusher after No. 10 is looking at 2027 for him to make an impact. Maybe later.
And this dovetails into Joe’s biggest fear of drafting an edge rusher at No. 15: “This Joe” may get home that night and break down and cry because that’s burning a valuable pick for the 2026 season.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has not developed a double-digit edge rusher. Not in Arizona when he was a defensive coordinator. Not in New York when he ran the Jets. And never in Tampa. Then throw in these little unpleasant nuggets: Since Bowles has been Bucs head coach, edge rushers he had as rookies never improved on their rookie sack totals.
Joe doesn’t like betting against “never.”
Joe is OK if the Bucs want to roll the dice and take an edge rusher after their first-round pick. But reaching for an edge rusher at No. 15 (if you believe Kimes), expecting the current coaching staff to develop a monster off the edge, that’s a Sunshine Skyway Bridge too far for Joe to expect.