Buccaneers Shake Up Draft Plans in Latest Mock

Tampa Bay looks to bolster pass rush after disappointing 2025 season.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:43am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive player rushing the quarterback, with sharp, overlapping planes of pewter, red, and orange colors.The Buccaneers' search for a dominant pass rusher to anchor their defense will be a key focus in the upcoming NFL Draft.Today in Tampa

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to focus on upgrading their pass rush in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, after last season's acquisition of linebacker Hasson Reddick failed to provide the desired boost to their defensive pressure.

Why it matters

The Buccaneers' inability to consistently get to the quarterback was a major factor in their disappointing 2025 campaign, and head coach Todd Bowles knows he must address this issue in the draft to put his team back in contention for the playoffs.

The details

Reddick was brought in to be the missing piece for the Buccaneers' pass rush, but he struggled to make the expected impact. Now Tampa Bay is exploring options to find an elite edge rusher who can transform their defense and help them return to the postseason.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April.

The players

Todd Bowles

Head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hasson Reddick

Linebacker who was acquired by the Buccaneers in 2025 to bolster their pass rush.

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What’s next

The Buccaneers will closely evaluate top edge rushing prospects in the lead-up to the draft, hoping to find a game-changing player who can transform their defense.

The takeaway

Tampa Bay's inability to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a major factor in their disappointing 2025 season, and they are now laser-focused on finding an elite pass rusher in the 2026 draft to help them return to the playoffs.