When the Bucs’ 2026 schedule got here out, it was simple to select the marquee opponents and most intriguing video games, ones that everybody has circled on their calendars already.
However contemplating how quickly after the 2026 Draft the schedule dropped – and given how a lot of a blur draft weekend might be – it was maybe a bit tougher to select which marquee rookies the Bucs are slated to see in 2026.
In trying on the draft courses of every workforce on Tampa Bay’s 2026 schedule, some attention-grabbing developments emerged. Let’s break these down, lets?
Bucs Received’t See Too Many Of 2026’s High Picks
Possibly probably the most attention-grabbing a part of the Bucs’ schedule – no less than because it pertains to rookies – is simply how few of the 2026 Draft’s prime picks might be lining up reverse Tampa Bay this season. The truth is, the primary seven picks within the first spherical of this 12 months’s draft are all lacking from the slate.
The Bucs received’t see Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Jets edge rusher David Bailey, Cardinals operating again Jeremiyah Love, Titans large receiver Carnell Tate, Giants linebacker Arvell Reese, Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane or Commanders linebacker Sonny Kinds. The very best draft choose they’ll match up with this season is somebody they’ll truly see two instances per 12 months for years to return, and that’s No. 8 general choose Jordyn Tyson, the Saints’ new rookie large receiver.
Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza – Picture by: Mark J. Rebilas – IMAGN Pictures
Tampa Bay will see the No. 9 general choose, Browns offensive sort out Spencer Fano, in addition to Cowboys security Caleb Downs, the No. 11 general choose. Despite the fact that the Rams are on the schedule, it’s no assure that rookie quarterback and No. 13 general choose Ty Simpson sees motion in opposition to Todd Bowles’ protection.
No. 14 choose Vega Ioane, the Ravens’ new offensive sort out, is on the schedule. However that’s largely the theme of the highest picks on this 12 months’s slate – most are on the offensive and defensive traces somewhat than the large, marquee playmaking sorts.
So, why is that the case? An enormous purpose why is that three of the Bucs’ 2026 opponents didn’t have a first-round choose. The Bengals, the Bucs’ Week 1 opponent, didn’t have theirs as a result of they traded it to the Giants for three-time Professional Bowl defensive sort out Dexter Lawrence. Tampa Bay’s Week 4 opponent, Inexperienced Bay, didn’t have its first-round choose as a result of that was a part of the package deal that made All-Professional move rusher Micah Parsons a Packer.
And, after all, the Falcons, who the Bucs will see in Weeks 8 and 16, didn’t have their first-round choose as a result of they traded it to the Rams final 12 months as a way to transfer again into the primary spherical of the 2025 Draft. That choose was spent on promising move rusher James Pearce Jr., although given his authorized troubles, each his rapid and long-term soccer future seem unsure.
Falcons OLB James Pearce Jr. and Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Another excuse for the dearth of high-end first-round picks on the Bucs’ schedule is the issue of the opponents they’re set to see. You possibly can see it as you look down the complete listing of first-rounders on the slate – the league’s worst groups in 2025 and thus those who picked greater within the draft, aren’t on the schedule. As a substitute, a variety of the middle-of-the-pack (and higher) groups are there.
Tampa Bay received’t see the highest seven picks, however it sees No. 8, No. 9, No. 11, No. 13, No. 14, No. 17, No. 18, No. 19, No. 21, No. 22, No. 23, No. 24 and No. 25. The upper focus of prime rookies comes within the 17-25 vary.
Bucs Will Face Some Intriguing Rookies In The Trenches
As talked about above, most of the prime rookies the Bucs will see are guys within the trenches. There are some first-, second- and third-round picks on each side of the road who will make for some intriguing matchups within the trenches.
Beginning on the defensive aspect of the ball, there are a number of Day 1 and a pair of rookies to keep watch over whether or not it’s move rushers going through Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke or inside defenders matching up with Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson. Proper off the bat in Week 1, Wirfs and Goedeke will see Bengals second-round choose – their prime choose – Cashius Howell. The previous Texas A&M edge rusher was usually linked to the Bucs in the course of the pre-draft course of, however the 14-sack man will as an alternative make his NFL common season debut in opposition to them.
Bucs C Graham Barton and RG Cody Mauch – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
In Week 3, Vikings first-round choose Caleb Banks, a former Florida Gators defensive sort out, will come again to his dwelling state and line up in opposition to the inside of Tampa Bay’s offensive line. The next week when the Packers go to Raymond James Stadium, third-round defensive sort out Chris McClellan might be in tow. A teammate of Bucs second-round choose Josiah Trotter at Missouri, McClellan was one other participant who was linked to Tampa Bay at instances in the course of the pre-draft course of.
Within the Bucs’ first primetime recreation, which comes on Thursday Evening Soccer in Week 5, it’ll be one other rookie matchup for Wirfs and Goedeke within the type of Cowboys move rusher Malachi Lawrence. The No. 23 pick of UCF was yet one more move rusher who many had on their radar for the Bucs main as much as the draft, however after they drafted Rueben Bain Jr. with the No. 15 choose, Lawrence went eight picks later.
The workforce’s Week 7 NFC South opener in opposition to the Panthers in Charlotte will current a troublesome matchup for Barton, Mauch and Bredeson as Carolina’s second-round choose, defensive sort out Lee Hunter, will look to introduce himself to his new divisional foes.
There’s fairly the run of rookie move rushers Tampa Bay will see following its Week 10 bye. In Week 11, the Bucs will face Derrick Moore, the Lions’ second-round pick of Michigan. After seeing Hunter once more in Week 12, their Week 13 matchup at dwelling in opposition to the Chargers might be particularly intriguing. Why? As a result of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor was a Bucs goal earlier than his teammate was surprisingly nonetheless on the board at No. 15. The 2 will reunite, albeit on reverse sidelines, to open up December.
Miami edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. – Picture courtesy of Miami Athletics
Ravens second-round choose Zion Younger, a move rusher out of Missouri, follows in Week 14 as one other rookie challenger for Wirfs and Goedeke. Lastly, in each Weeks 15 and 18, the Saints’ second-round choose – Georgia defensive sort out Christen Miller – will line up in opposition to the Buccaneer inside.
On the flip aspect? The Bucs’ defensive entrance, which options first-round choose Rueben Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, David Walker and Anthony Nelson off the sting and Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, A’Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts and DeMonte Capehart on the within, will see loads of rookie offensive linemen, too. And in a variety of circumstances, these guys might be seeing rookies early within the season, which might be a giant benefit for the Tampa Bay protection.
It’s Browns first-round offensive sort out Spencer Fano in Week 2, with third-round sort out Austin Barber seemingly in a backup function. Caleb Tiernan, a third-round sort out drafted by the Vikings, involves Raymond James Stadium in Week 3, although probably as a backup as nicely.
Iowa OT Gennings Dunker – Picture by: IMAGN Pictures – Jeffrey Becker
Relying on how the Steelers’ offensive line shapes up, the Bucs may see two rookies when the 2 groups face off in Week 6 with first-round choose Max Iheanachor at proper sort out and third-round choose Gennings Dunker at guard.
If Monroe Freeling, the Panthers’ No. 19 pick of Georgia, wins a beginning sort out job, he’ll face the Bucs’ fearsome group of move rushers in Weeks 7 and 12.
Over the ultimate stretch of the common season, Tampa Bay may see first-round linemen in Lions first-round sort out Blake Miller (Week 11), Chargers second-round guard Jake Slaughter (Week 13) and Ravens first-round sort out Vega Ioane (Week 14). Ioane is an particularly intriguing matchup on condition that he was chosen one choose earlier than the Bucs drafted Rueben Bain Jr. and the 2 may do battle in Baltimore.
Bucs’ Secondary Wants To Be Prepared For High Rookie Receivers
Exterior of the fellows within the trenches, the best focus of prime rookies at one place the Bucs will see comes at large receiver. So, the likes of Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, J.J. Roberts, Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith and Keionte Scott will should be prepared for a complete lot of recent faces.
Saints first-round large receiver Jordyn Tyson, the No. 8 general choose, is the large one in Weeks 15 and 18. However early on, the Bucs will see a first-rounder in KC Concepcion and second-rounder in Denzel Boston once they host the Browns in Week 2. In Week 6, they’ll see Steelers second-round choose Germie Bernard, whereas Panthers third-round choose Chris Brazzell II follows in Week 7 and once more in Week 12.
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson – Picture by: IMAGN Pictures – Patrick Breen
In Weeks 8 and 16, Falcons third-round choose Zachariah Department will introduce himself to the NFC South rivalry between Tampa Bay and Atlanta, whereas Ravens third-round choice Ja’Kobi Lane is on the schedule in Week 14.
The Bucs will see a pair rookie tight ends of word, too, going through Bears third-rounder Sam Roush in Week 9 and Rams second-round choose Max Klare in Week 17.
Barring Accidents, Bucs Received’t See A Rookie QB In 2026
Possibly the largest general takeaway from the Bucs’ 2026 schedule is the sheer variety of the league’s prime quarterbacks they’re set to face. Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Caleb Williams, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford are all on the slate.
Bryce Younger is established in Carolina, as is Tyler Shough in New Orleans. Even the remaining groups – those with quarterback competitions – have veteran or not too long ago drafted quarterbacks within the combine. With Cleveland, it’s Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. In Minnesota, it’s Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. For Atlanta, it’s Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa.
With all of that stated, one of many more unusual realities relating to the Bucs’ schedule and 2026 rookies is the truth that with out an harm someplace, Tampa Bay received’t match up with a rookie quarterback this 12 months.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson – Picture by: IMAGN Pictures
The 2026 draft class wasn’t stuffed with quarterbacks by any means, however only a few of them are even taking part in on groups that discover themselves on the Bucs’ schedule. Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders, Carson Beck and the Cardinals, Cade Klubnik and the Jets, Cole Payton and the Eagles, Athan Kaliakmanis and the Commanders, Behren Morton and the Patriots and Garett Nussmeier and the Chiefs are all lacking from Tampa Bay’s common season slate. Nevertheless, Klubnik and the Jets and Nussmeier and the Chiefs are on the preseason schedule.
Solely Ty Simpson, the Rams’ first-round choose, Drew Allar (Steelers, third spherical) and Taylen Inexperienced (Browns, sixth spherical) may probably face the Bucs within the common season. Even then, it could take an harm or perhaps even two.
