Buccaneers are clearly heading into an all-out battle for one of the positions they need to address most in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Buccaneers filled a few holes during free agency, but the EDGE position is still one of their top draft targets. Experts believe Round 1 is about to be as busy as it gets.
You don’t have to follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers closely to know pass rush continues to be one of the team’s top draft targets.
Sure, the Buccaneers added Al-Quadin Muhammad in free agency, but he shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all. Yes, he recorded a career-high 11.0 sacks last year. On the flip side, he played opposite Aidan Hutchinson and recorded just 15.0 sacks from 2017-2024.
In other words: It’s unsure if Muhammad is the true answer.
When stepping back and looking at the current state of the roster, it’s easy to say EDGE is the Buccaneers’ No. 1 draft target. Well, Jason Licht better get ready for an all-out battle when it comes to sifting through guys in the first round.
Buccaneers and the rest of the NFL view EDGE as one of the top Round 1 draft targets
ESPN released it’s latest batch of draft intel and below is what Miller said about pass rushers in Round 1:
“Five, maybe six (will go in the first round) if you classify Ohio State’s Arvell Reese as an edge rusher. I believe Reese, David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) and Keldric Faulk (Auburn) are locks. Then, Akheem Mesidor (Miami) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) are likely to go in the first round, too.
“But would it be a surprise to see as many as nine edge rushers? Not with this class. There is a lack of top prospects at other premium positions and a need for rotational pass rushers in the NFL, especially from playoff teams selecting in the back end of the round. R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Zion Young (Missouri) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) could all sneak in.”
Matt Miller
ESPN Draft Analyst
I agree with him. I’d bet we see the 5-6 he mentions go in Round 1, for sure. It’s worth betting on R Mason Thomas and even Zion Young sneaking into the back of the first 32 picks, as well.
All of these guys fit the mold of the current prototypical pass rusher and all of them have logical homes in Round 1. That’s something Miller doesn’t mention – the fact multiple teams are considered fits for a variety of these prospects.
There’s one aspect where this could affect the Buccaneers in a negative way, too.
Run on pass rushers could force Buccaneers to stay pat at No. 15
The best-case scenario for the Buccaneers is to trade back a few spots and nab a pass rusher. However, if guys are flying off the board, trading back may be too big a risk.
Trading back from, let’s say, 15 to 17 isn’t going to warrant much in draft capital return, either. The Buccaneers would likely get something akin to a mid-to-late fourth-rounder and while that could be useful, it’s not really worth risking a guy like Akheem Mesidor, Cashius Howell, or even R Mason Thomas.
It’s yet another layer Jason Licht and Co. will have to navigate, but if anyone can figure it out, it’s them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
Buccaneers rock the first round of the NFL Draft and snag Heisman finalist to fix a major roster hole in latest mock draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to nail the 2026 NFL Draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Well, they do just in A to Z Sport’s brand new mock draft simulator.
