The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a full seven-pick slate and, more importantly, a chance to reshape key parts of their roster after an up-and-down 2025 season. With needs across the front seven and questions about long-term roles in the secondary, this draft feels like one where Tampa Bay has to nail every pick.Picks Tampa Bay currently owns:
To understand how important each of these selections can be, it’s worth looking at how the Bucs have historically found impact players throughout the draft.
Round 1 – Tristan Wirfs (2020)You don’t have to go far for a home run. Wirfs became an All-Pro cornerstone at tackle and helped anchor a Super Bowl run as a rookie. This is what hitting on No. 15 should look like: an instant impact player and Day 1 starter.
Round 2 – Chris Godwin Jr (2017)A second-round steal who developed into one of the most reliable receivers in franchise history. Godwin is the blueprint for finding elite production in those players who may fall out of round one, but their talent far exceeds where they were selected
Round 3 – Jamel Dean (2019)At his best, Dean turned into a high-level starting corner with elite speed and ball skills, serving 7 years in Tampa Bay. Day 2 and early Day 3 have consistently been sweet spots for Tampa Bay’s defensive scouting.
Round 4 – Bucky Irving (2024)A more recent example, Irving flashed explosiveness and versatility early in his career. Fourth-round picks aren’t always stars, but they can absolutely be contributors if developed right. The most notable "diamond in the rough" round.
Round 5 – Elijah Roberts (2025) Not often a position the Buccaneers have hit on - or had, as they have a history for trading their 5th round pick, but Roberts emerged as one of the most disruptive rookies in the league in pass rush win rate of over 11% and should be in the conversation of starting on the DL in 2026.
Round 6 – Scotty Miller (2019)Sixth-round picks are long shots and often do not make it out of training camp, but Miller carved out a real role, including key moments during the Bucs’ Super Bowl run. He carved out a niche role of stretching the field and has done so at all of his stops in the NFL.
Round 7 – Tez Johnson (2025) Not often a pick that many teams keep on their roster, but where true diamonds are found. 7th round picks are for those who are usually undersized, don't have a ton of starting experience, or just don't get the hype around their pre-draft workouts/reports. Tez Johnson fell after a poor 40-yard dash time and thin frame, but became a human joystick for the Buccaneers with some incredible catches and stretching the field.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft: Which picks do the Bucs have in 2026?