Bucs taking a closer look a Big 12 quarterback with the NFL Draft around the corner
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have a young quarterback on their roster with upside to mold into a potential answer down the road. They’re taking a look at a player with athletic upside with the NFL Draft approaching.
When talk of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ draft is had by experts and talking heads, the issue of the team’s defense is often brought up. And, to be fair, it’s for good reason, as the Bucs terribly lack edge rushers, an inside linebacker, and depth on the defensive line and in the secondary.
However, the issue of quarterback really hasn’t come up much. That’s always a good thing, meaning you have a capable starter, and the Bucs certainly do in Baker Mayfield.
However, Mayfield will be a free agent after the 2026 season, and a backup plan should always be in the works for a franchise for down the road. Tampa Bay does not have a young potential quarterback of the future on their roster at the moment.
That said, they are taking a closer look at a quarterback from the Big 12 with the 2026 NFL Draft just a week and a half away. Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bucs are bringing in Kansas QB Jalon Daniels for a Top 30 visit.
Bucs holding a Top 30 visit with Kansas QB Jalon Daniels ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Daniels is a picture of ability unrefined. He certainly is talented and experienced, having played at Kansas from 2020-25. He has the athleticism and big arm that you dream of in a quarterback. He ran a 4.65 40 at the NFL Combine and led the Big 12 in yards per completion in 2024 with 14.4.
But it’s the consistency from game to game, year to year that’s not really been there, and the numbers aren’t eye popping. Daniels is certainly a project whose fundamentals will need refining. But a potential high ceiling is there — if a team can push the right buttons to unlock his potential.
Daniels isn’t projected by experts to be in play before Day 3 of the draft, and even then, it’s unclear whether he’ll be drafted. As such, this could be an opportunity to decide if Daniels is someone the team wants to spend a late round flier on, or if they want to make him a premium undrafted free agent they contact first as soon as the draft is over.
The 2026 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh.