Fun Possiblities For Bucs In First Round
March 28th, 2026
Options.
The more Joe thinks about it, next month’s opening round of the draft will be fascinating for Bucs fans to watch.
Do the Bucs need an edge rusher? Yeah, but they just pumped (some) money into bringing a guy in who had double-digit sacks and nearly double-digit tackles for loss, even if he couldn’t start a game.
If Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht really does believe second-year David Walker is all that and his recent words on Walker were more than just a public boost of confidence, would the Bucs draft an edge rusher at No. 15?
(Looking at Todd Bowles’ history of not developing edge rushers may also be a factor.)
Then you have inside linebacker. This may be a bigger need unless you think recent signing Christian Roseboom, Carolina’s leading tackler last season, is already penciled in as a starter.
Early research shows there isn’t an inside linebacker in the range of No. 15 where the Bucs pick. Licht would either have to trade up at a prohibitive cost to land Sonny Styles or reach to an extent he injures his ribs for C.J. Allen or Anthony Hill.
Would Licht draft a corner at No. 15? Or a defensive tackle? Jenna Laine of ESPN broke down possibilities.
Top three needs: edge, LB, TE. Signing Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year, $4 million deal doesn’t preclude the Bucs from drafting an edge rusher, even with his production (11 sacks) last season. The Bucs did sign both Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom at inside linebacker ahead of Lavonte David’s retirement, so there’s some wiggle room there. And with coordinator Zac Robinson’s frequent use of 12 personnel, they need to add another tight end who can serve as a big-play threat.
The tight end position looks more and more plausible to Joe. Maybe drafting a defensive tackle at No. 15, Texas Tech linebacker and forced fumble machine Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and landing Baylor tight end Michael Trigg if he slips to the third round would be the way to go?