The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mission: inject more athleticism, upgrade defensive speed, and solidify the roster around quarterback Baker Mayfield. General Manager Jason Licht and his staff largely delivered, adding a crop of intriguing prospects who could contribute right away or develop into cornerstone pieces for years to come.
However, even after a productive draft weekend, the Buccaneers still have a few lingering question marks that could define the remainder of their offseason. Whether through savvy free-agent additions, internal development, or fierce training camp battles, Tampa Bay has some important business to handle before the 2026 season kicks off. Let's break down the two biggest remaining needs.
1. Edge Rusher Depth — Finding a Consistent Complement
The Buccaneers continue their search for reliable pass-rush production opposite their top defensive playmakers. While the team added athletic front-seven talent in Rueben Bain Jr. during the draft and signed veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad, there are still legitimate concerns about whether this group can consistently pressure elite quarterbacks over a grueling 17-game season. Last year, Tampa Bay ranked third in the NFL in pressure rate at 39.1%, but they converted that pressure into sacks at just a 5.8% clip — good for only 23rd in the league. That disconnect is a red flag, and adding another proven edge rusher could help turn those near-misses into game-changing sacks.
2. Outside Cornerback — A Thin Spot on the Depth Chart
The Buccaneers are set in the slot, with Tykee Smith holding down that role in 2024, Jacob Parrish taking over in 2025, and 2026 fourth-round rookie Keionte Scott providing hybrid versatility. But on the outside, the picture is much less clear. Behind the starters, Josh Hayes is the third outside corner — and he didn't play a single defensive snap last season. The fourth option is Damarion Williams, who hasn't seen regular-season action since 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens. That's a thin margin for error in today's pass-happy NFL. Veterans like Trevon Diggs or L'Jarius Sneed could make logical sense as experienced additions to shore up the perimeter.
Overall, the Buccaneers should feel confident about the foundation they built during the 2026 NFL Draft. They added athleticism, youth, and upside across the roster while maintaining enough salary-cap flexibility to keep improving before Week 1. If the front office can address these remaining needs, Tampa Bay will be well-positioned to make noise in the NFC South.