2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Preview

The Buccaneers enter 2026 with their head coach on the clock, a defense getting a full facelift, and a division so tight it could come down to the final whistle in New Orleans. Todd Bowles has one playoff win to show for four seasons in Tampa, and after a late-season collapse last year, patience is running thin even with the Glazers still in his corner. With a stacked draft class led by edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and a brutal six-game closing stretch on the horizon, this Bucs season is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in franchise memory.

Team Snapshot

Conference: NFC South
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
2025 Record: 8-9
Key Games: Atlanta, New Orleans, Carolina, Los Angeles Rams

Season Outlook

This is a make-or-break season for head coach Todd Bowles. His record in Tampa is a pedestrian 35-33 with only a single playoff victory in four seasons. A late season collapse in 2025 made him an easy target for Pewter Pirates fans, but the Glazers chose to ignore the noise and stay the course with Bowles. The biggest issue is the poor play of the defense that comes under his purview. A major overhaul of the coaching staff was the response, especially on defense, as well as special teams. A division championship could be the only way he keeps from being jettisoned at the end of the campaign.

2026 Prediction: Projected Record: 9-8

The NFC South should again be balanced with all four teams heading into December with a legitimate shot at capturing the division title. Those last six contests will be a meat grinder for the Buccaneers. They will play three division opponents (Atlanta & New Orleans twice), with a pair on the road.  But the other three opponents (both Los Angeles franchises at home and a trip to Baltimore) are all expected to be in heated battles for the top spot in their respective divisions. Don’t be surprised if the NFC South outcome comes down to the Bucs needing a victory in The Big Easy against the Saints.  

Rookie Prospects

Rueben Bain Jr. was a steal for the Bucs with their first-round pick in the 2026 draft. GM Jason Licht saw that the University of Miami Hurricane was still on the board at #15 and sprinted to the draft table to put in their selection. Bain is a true dual threat on the edge with the physicality to stop the run and the athleticism to pressure the quarterback. He’s better with his hand in the dirt, but don’t be surprised if the Buccaneers experiment with him as an OLB in their 3-4 scheme.

Josiah Trotter was chosen in the second round because of the need in the linebacking corps for physicality. The defensive coaching staff is impressed by the motor of the inside backer and the pedigree, as his father, Jeremiah Sr, and brother, Jeremiah Jr, both are (and were) Eagles.  

Wide receiver Ted Hurst III is a typical late-day draft selection for Jason Licht. The Georgia State alum was selected in the third round because of his size. His 6’3” frame makes him the tallest wideout on the Bucs roster. Coupled with his speed, Hurst adds to the wide receiver corps after the departure of 6’5” Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers. He should be an immediate factor in the red zone. 

Keionte Scott was chosen in the fourth round for two simple reasons. The first reason is that in the NFL, teams can never have enough DBs on the roster. And secondly, NFL teams can never have enough DBs that can play on special teams. Scott has battled through injuries at the University of Miami and will benefit exponentially from being in the same safety room with two veteran back-enders in Antoine Winfield Jr and Tykee Scott. 

DeMonte Capehart came to the Bucs in the fifth round. The team was intrigued by his size and length, and envisions the former Clemson Tiger as a Will Gholston clone, playing numerous spots on the defensive line. He will be a force and a dependable run stopper on the perimeter.

Billy Schrauth was also taken in the fifth round and is the prototypical Notre Dame offensive lineman. He plays with extreme physicality in the trenches and has phenomenal technique along with great leadership ability. 

Bauer Sharp was a player that Tampa Bay traded up to secure in the sixth round. They liked the LSU tight end not only for his size (6’4” and 249 pounds) but also his speed and his ability to run precision routes.

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