Every year around draft time, everyone tries to guess what the Buccaneers are going to do based on needs, visits, and whatever rumors are floating around. But if you really want a better feel for it, just look at how Jason Licht has drafted in the past.

First off, the trenches always matter. The Bucs love building up front, and that’s shown up again and again. Whether it’s Tristan Wirfs, Calijah Kancey, or even Vita Vea in years past, they’re not afraid to invest early in guys who can impact the line of scrimmage. Going into 2026, that still feels relevant, especially at the edge where they added depth but not a true difference-maker. That kind of screams early-round target based on their history.

Another big thing: traits over polish. Tampa Bay has consistently leaned toward athletic upside, even if the player isn’t fully developed yet. Kancey wasn’t the biggest interior guy, but his explosiveness popped. Benjamin Morrison was all about potential despite the medical flags of injuries past. The Bucs trust their coaching staff to develop talent, so don’t expect them to just grab the “safe” pick.

One trend that’s easy to overlook is that they’re not scared of smaller-school guys, but those players usually rise into their range rather than being surprise reaches. Think Ali Marpet back in the day, or even more recently guys who flew up boards during the pre-draft process. If a small-school prospect dominates the Senior Bowl or tests like crazy, that’s when they get on Tampa Bay’s radar. So for 2026, keep an eye on those types, edge rushers or offensive linemen from smaller programs who are suddenly getting Day 1 or Day 2 buzz.

Those are the “risers” that fit what the Bucs tend to like.

On the flip side, falling prospects aren’t always their thing unless the value is just too good. The Bucs don’t usually gamble on guys with major red flags or big-time slides unless they’ve done a ton of homework. They’d rather take “their guy” a little early than hope someone drops. And that’s probably the biggest takeaway: they trust their board. Tampa Bay has never been afraid to go get who they want, even if it’s a slight reach compared to consensus.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft: Can past drafts help see what the Bucs may do in Round 1?