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For fans, NFL draft season does not truly begin until after free agency. There is no way to know what an NFL team has in mind for the draft until they fill out their roster in free agency. The Buccaneers are no different.
Under general manager Jason Licht, Tampa Bay usually adds or retains enough free agents to field a starting roster, maximizing their flexibility in the draft. This year, there was more retaining than adding, but the additions tell a story for what the Bucs could have in store for this year's draft.
Here are some of the Bucs' draft takeaways from free agency this year:
The inside linebacker position was a major need coming into the offseason and continues to be the case after the start of free agency. Getting Lavonte David back for one more season gives the Bucs at least one starter for 2025, but at 35 years-old, he cannot be counted on as a long-term option. The addition of Anthony Walker gives the Bucs some depth but should not be taken as a primary option to start next to David.
With no established starters beyond the aging David, the Bucs are set up to make a big investment at the position in this year's draft. Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell could be one of the Bucs' primary targets in the first round, just as South Carolina's Demetrius Knight Jr. or UCLA's Carson Schwesinger might be on Day 2 of the draft.
The Bucs' offense was one of the best in the NFL last season, so it makes sense they did everything possible to run it back in 2026. The re-signings of Chris Godwin and Ben Bredeson ensure Tampa Bay will have the same starters across the entire offense next season, and most of the key depth is returning as well.
While an all-defense draft is highly unlikely, there is simply not much room for offensive talent at the top or even the middle of the depth chart. Adding offensive line depth and developmental talent at wide receiver and tight end are the most apparent moves Tampa Bay could make with how the offensive roster is currently configured.
The Bucs rarely enter the draft without possible starters at every position. It might appear that may not be the case at safety after Jordan Whitehead was cut and no other safeties were signed in free agency. However, what this actually indicates is Tampa Bay's belief that nickel corner Tykee Smith or do-it-all defensive back Christian Izien could start for them at safety.
Head coach Todd Bowles said at the NFL Combine that the Bucs are exploring playing Smith at safety. Izien already established himself as a capable third safety last year and played every other position in the secondary. With Smith and Izien primed to play either safety or nickel corner, the Bucs are not limited to adding just safety talent to improve their secondary.
This even applies to the outside cornerback position. While the Bucs appear to be keeping Jamel Dean and re-signing Bryce Hall, neither is under contract after 2025. Having starters and depth in place at perimeter cornerback gives the Bucs the chance to target prospects with high-end traits even if they may be too raw to play significant snaps next season.
Edge rusher has been a problematic position for the Tampa Bay for the past few years, which is why one of the first moves they made in free agency this year was signing Haason Reddick to a one-year, $14 million contract. The move is a bit of a gamble given Reddick's tumultuous 2024 drama in New York, hence the one-year deal. What Reddick really does is give the Bucs a chance to consider whether they need to draft an outside linebacker for the fifth straight year.
Championship teams often boast a deep rotation of pass-rush talent, so Tampa Bay's continued efforts to add more edge talent would not be out of order. However, with Reddick on the roster, the Bucs are not locked into using another high pick on an outside linebacker who can play 600+ snaps. Instead, they can consider another pass-rush specialist to develop behind Reddick, such as Ashton Gillette or Quandarrius Robinson.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Takeaways for the Bucs' draft plans following free agency
Continue reading...
Under general manager Jason Licht, Tampa Bay usually adds or retains enough free agents to field a starting roster, maximizing their flexibility in the draft. This year, there was more retaining than adding, but the additions tell a story for what the Bucs could have in store for this year's draft.
Here are some of the Bucs' draft takeaways from free agency this year:
Inside linebacker will be a draft priority
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The inside linebacker position was a major need coming into the offseason and continues to be the case after the start of free agency. Getting Lavonte David back for one more season gives the Bucs at least one starter for 2025, but at 35 years-old, he cannot be counted on as a long-term option. The addition of Anthony Walker gives the Bucs some depth but should not be taken as a primary option to start next to David.
With no established starters beyond the aging David, the Bucs are set up to make a big investment at the position in this year's draft. Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell could be one of the Bucs' primary targets in the first round, just as South Carolina's Demetrius Knight Jr. or UCLA's Carson Schwesinger might be on Day 2 of the draft.
The offense, on the other hand, is not
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The Bucs' offense was one of the best in the NFL last season, so it makes sense they did everything possible to run it back in 2026. The re-signings of Chris Godwin and Ben Bredeson ensure Tampa Bay will have the same starters across the entire offense next season, and most of the key depth is returning as well.
While an all-defense draft is highly unlikely, there is simply not much room for offensive talent at the top or even the middle of the depth chart. Adding offensive line depth and developmental talent at wide receiver and tight end are the most apparent moves Tampa Bay could make with how the offensive roster is currently configured.
The Bucs could add secondary talent at any position
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The Bucs rarely enter the draft without possible starters at every position. It might appear that may not be the case at safety after Jordan Whitehead was cut and no other safeties were signed in free agency. However, what this actually indicates is Tampa Bay's belief that nickel corner Tykee Smith or do-it-all defensive back Christian Izien could start for them at safety.
Head coach Todd Bowles said at the NFL Combine that the Bucs are exploring playing Smith at safety. Izien already established himself as a capable third safety last year and played every other position in the secondary. With Smith and Izien primed to play either safety or nickel corner, the Bucs are not limited to adding just safety talent to improve their secondary.
This even applies to the outside cornerback position. While the Bucs appear to be keeping Jamel Dean and re-signing Bryce Hall, neither is under contract after 2025. Having starters and depth in place at perimeter cornerback gives the Bucs the chance to target prospects with high-end traits even if they may be too raw to play significant snaps next season.
Another outside linebacker is not off the table
You must be registered for see images attach
Edge rusher has been a problematic position for the Tampa Bay for the past few years, which is why one of the first moves they made in free agency this year was signing Haason Reddick to a one-year, $14 million contract. The move is a bit of a gamble given Reddick's tumultuous 2024 drama in New York, hence the one-year deal. What Reddick really does is give the Bucs a chance to consider whether they need to draft an outside linebacker for the fifth straight year.
Championship teams often boast a deep rotation of pass-rush talent, so Tampa Bay's continued efforts to add more edge talent would not be out of order. However, with Reddick on the roster, the Bucs are not locked into using another high pick on an outside linebacker who can play 600+ snaps. Instead, they can consider another pass-rush specialist to develop behind Reddick, such as Ashton Gillette or Quandarrius Robinson.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Takeaways for the Bucs' draft plans following free agency
Continue reading...
