The Bucs discover themselves in an intriguing place heading into the 2026 season, virtually as in the event that they’re teetering on a decent rope making an attempt to get from one vacation spot to a different.
In the event that they transfer a technique, they may fall off the rope, wrestle as soon as extra, fail to make the playoff once more and certain be available in the market for a brand new head coach. But when they transfer within the appropriate route and preserve stability, a more healthy crew – spearheaded by a brand new outlook on offense and an inflow of expertise on protection – can get the Bucs proper again on monitor to the place they had been when the crew was 6-2 heading into the bye. That’s when it regarded like Tampa Bay was heading in direction of one other division title and making a playoff push.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Picture courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This could be an exciting circus act or it might be a high-flying spectacle that ends in an epic fall. Both manner, everybody goes to observe the present in Tampa Bay in 2026.
The bottom grade given out was a “B-minus” from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who knocked Tampa Bay for not drafting Oregon tight finish Kenyon Sadiq within the first spherical as a substitute of Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who was truly a higher-rated participant. Go determine.
But the consensus was that the Buccaneers had a stellar draft general.
NFL Media Gushes Over Bucs’ Potential
Former Bucs backup quarterback and present ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky gave his stamp of approval, going so far as to say that the Bucs will probably be improbable once more whereas on the present “Get Up.”
“I thought the Rueben Bain pick and the Keionte Scott pick were both outstanding picks,” Orlovsky stated. “The Buccaneers continue to draft well. They were a very good football team last year. Dealt with a little injuries down the stretch. I know – no Mike Evans. I think the Buccaneers are going to a fantastic group again.”
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Take a look at the clip under for his feedback.
Orlovsky additionally took to his X account and stated “The Buccaneers continue to be a very well run organization.”
The reward didn’t cease there from the NFL speak present area. Kay Adams of the “Up And Adams” Present had the Bucs, together with the Eagles and Bengals, because the winners of this yr’s draft.
“They got so much better this weekend,” Adams stated. “It’s the 51st yr of the Bucs, possibly the 51st yr simply makes extra sense. Baker (Mayfield) must be in a nook. Baker must have folks not consider in him, not inform him ‘Oh, you got Mike Evans and Emeka (Egbuka) and you guys always win the division.’ He wants folks to doubt him.
“They really, really, did their thing. I don’t think it’s possible to do better than what Jason Licht did this weekend. Just take a look at the changes that were made. Rueben Bain at 15 overall, he would’ve been a home run on any team, any defense, that is a jump start for this defense.”
Adams continued.
“[Jason Licht] landed Mizzou linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round to help fill the Lavonte David void that will be huge,” Adams stated. “Trotter, as I understand, is a tackling machine, makes a lot of plays, line of scrimmage dynamo. And then what did Licht do? He got Miami nickel Keionte Scott in the fourth, and that’s going to be one of the steals of the draft, and somebody that will hopefully transform the secondary. This is a guy who is a game-breaker, he’ll win games for them. Absolute playmaker.”
Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Picture by: Sophie Pallman – The College of Miami
See Kay Adams’ full feedback in regards to the Bucs under.
Tampa Bay has the potential to have 4 key contributors in 2026 with their first fours picks in Bain, Trotter, third-round receiver Ted Hurst, and Scott within the secondary. It’s doubtless that Bain and Trotter will begin from day one.
Hurst is healthier suited to be within the rotation that has a really proficient receiver room that already has Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson. Scott’s position needs to be fascinating. He’ll problem Jacob Parrish for the nickel position, however is usually a backup at security, too. Together with his blitzing capability, Todd Bowles will discover a spot for him.
We’re nonetheless a number of months from the beginning of the 2026 season, however the unfavourable emotions about this crew for the final a number of months have started to dissipate due to this draft class, which was kick-started with the choice of Bain within the first spherical. If the play of this draft class results in playoff run, then the Bucs could have acquired some cornerstone items that ought to end in success yr after yr.
Pewter Report recapped the Bucs’ 2026 draft class on Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast. Take a look at the video under and subscribe to our PewterReportTV YouTube channel.
