Buccaneers Prepare for 2026 NFL Draft

Tampa Bay's top pick looks to build on impressive rookie season

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:43pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive player in motion, with the figure broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes of color, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Buccaneers' young defensive back looks to build on an impressive rookie season and anchor the team's secondary for years to come.Today in Tampa

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place from April 23-25 on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC. The team's top draft pick from last year is expected to be a key part of their plans going forward after a standout rookie campaign.

Why it matters

The Buccaneers are coming off a playoff appearance and will look to the draft to continue building a competitive roster around their young core of talent. Their first-round pick from 2025 had an impressive debut season and the team is hoping he can take another step forward in his development.

The details

The Buccaneers finished the 2025 season with a 10-6 record and earned a wild card playoff berth. Their first-round pick from last year, a defensive back out of a major college program, started all 16 games and recorded 4 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and 68 total tackles. The team is excited about his potential and expects him to be a key part of their secondary for years to come.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25.
  • The Buccaneers' first-round pick from 2025 had a standout rookie season.

The players

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida that competes in the National Football League (NFL).

Buccaneers' 2025 first-round pick

A defensive back out of a major college program who started all 16 games as a rookie and made significant contributions to the Buccaneers' secondary.

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What they’re saying

“We're really excited about the potential of our 2025 first-round pick. He had a great rookie season and we expect him to continue developing into a core part of our defense.”

— Jason Licht, General Manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What’s next

The Buccaneers will look to build on their 2025 playoff appearance by having a successful 2026 NFL Draft, with their top pick from last year expected to play a big role.

The takeaway

The Buccaneers are positioning themselves for long-term success by drafting and developing young talent, with their 2025 first-round pick emerging as a promising building block for the future.