Bucs Now Know Where They Will Draft
January 5th, 2026
That time of the year.
Joe is not used to this.
It’s been 2019 since Joe typed a draft-related story this damn early in the calendar year. Still, not as bad as during The Lost Decade when Joe often was typing draft stories before Halloween.
The Bucs losing out on a tiebreaker to Carolina for the NFC South title marks the end of a five-year streak of Bucs playoff appearances.
Joe is pretty sure in 2021, coming off winning the Super Bowl and a wild free agency period, Joe may not have typed a draft story until April of that spring.
(Joe hates typing about the draft early because by the time April comes around, Joe’s ready to puke typing about the draft. And by mid-April, Joe wants to strangle anyone pushing a damned mock draft. Ugh.)
The NFL released the 2026 draft order for all non-playoff teams. The Bucs will pick at No. 15.
That is close enough in Joe’s mind that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht could trade up into the top-10 and get a difference-maker on defense.
Jenna Laine of ESPN seems to be thinking the same way. As much as Joe would love an edge rusher, under the current staff, drafting an edge rusher is burning a valuable draft pick.
The first edge rusher Bucs coach Todd Bowles develops will be his first.
The weakest area on the Bucs’ defense is clearly linebacker. Joe doesn’t expect Lavonte David to return for 2026. Just from watching the speech David gave to his teammates after Saturday’s game, it sure has the feel that David will call it quits on a fabulous career.
Laine believes the Bucs must replace him.
Biggest need: Linebacker. With this very possibly being it for Lavonte David, the Bucs will have an enormous task ahead of them in replacing one of the greatest players this franchise has ever known. But it’s not just David. They still aren’t getting the production at edge rusher either, with Haason Reddick not having the rebound season he’d hoped for — although YaYa Diaby continues to take steps forward.
Linebacker. Inside linebacker, not outside.
So, since the Bucs are at No. 15, is that high enough for Licht to swing a deal to get Ohio State gamewrecker Arvell Reese if he slides?
Isn’t Joe allowed to dream?
Watching Downs but couldn't help marveling at Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
Seems like the perfect LB for today's NFL. Can play the run off-ball or on the LOS, but could also just be a 3-4 OLB all 3 downs pic.twitter.com/QvN70Anhf2
— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) December 28, 2025
January 5th, 2026 at 4:04 am
Still need to see the combine, but Arvell’s teammate Sonny Styles looks good right now….he’ll be there. But I wanted Emmanwori last year and look how he’s doing, and look where we’re at….Schwesinger too…but they wont listen to me, again.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:10 am
Matter of fact, lets hit LB twice with Whit Weeks in the top of the 3rd (trade up)….Kenyatta Jackson 2nd (theres your pass rush)…..yall know im on this š
January 5th, 2026 at 4:13 am
Canāt wait for the Bud Licht annual tradition of 1st round bust, 2nd round healthy scratch, and a mid round punters/backup RBs.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:14 am
CB Domani Jackson 4th… G Jaeden Roberts 5th….QB Sawyer Robertson 5th (trade up)
January 5th, 2026 at 4:24 am
I think Reese will go in the top 5. Styles on the other hand, same team, seems like he is similar material as David.
If we could trade up for Reese he could be an answer at edge or off ball linebacker. both do need to be addressed this offseason.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:25 am
If Licht is picking them, and Bowles is coaching them we know what they’ll become. Nothing. Licht can’t draft a good edge, Bowles can’t develop one. In order for me to care about anything Bucs, at the least Todd has to be fired NOW! I’m not following those two down the rabbit hole anymore. I won’t be fooled again.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:36 am
Not impressed!
January 5th, 2026 at 4:37 am
May need a bigger picture
January 5th, 2026 at 4:39 am
100% right, a linebacker and then go from there. Noticing the need for QBs in the article too. The top three teams right off the bat and more.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:42 am
Are whole defense is a bunch of candy asses
January 5th, 2026 at 4:44 am
My finger nail got hurt! Waa was!
January 5th, 2026 at 4:48 am
Heāll be long gone
January 5th, 2026 at 4:48 am
Without a real head coach, it doesnāt matter if Jason could draft clones of every hall of famer at every position in history. Tood would make sure they regressed to being like watery grits at breakfast. At least heād have runny rotten eggs and smelly rancid sausage to serve up with it.
Letās end it. Be done. Why hasnāt it happened yet.
January 5th, 2026 at 4:56 am
Whatsamatta U, Joe?
For a day at least, thereās still no guarantee Licht will be doing the drafting.
His picks havenāt exactly been stellar as of late, and he pined for a Bowles extension, which he got.
He signed FA Reddick coming off a single sack year for a āstealā at 14 mil. Last I heard JTS was released by Cleveland and Braswell is staring in the latest feature of the invisible man.
He did a great job reeling in Brady when Tom had nowhere else to go.
Licht, like Bowles, seem like great guys. But the NFL is a production league. You win, you get to hang around and make more money. You lose and youāre gone.
To lift a Michael C. line, āItās nothing personal, itās just business.ā
January 5th, 2026 at 4:59 am
Scratch whit weeks, not coming out for the draft…
January 5th, 2026 at 5:05 am
Need a corn fed beast like Hutchinson
January 5th, 2026 at 5:12 am
Baine from the U!!!! Dude has swag! We need a dawg! Draft Baine!
January 5th, 2026 at 5:33 am
Draft both Texas Techs inside linebackers they can take care of the middle just like the did at Tech
January 5th, 2026 at 5:54 am
My dream scenario if he’s there is Anthony Hill, the Texas LB in the 1st. Then Gabe Jacas in the 2nd. Major improvement to our front 7, making our back 4 stronger.
January 5th, 2026 at 5:56 am
No defense 1st round, star qb to be heir apparent to Mayfield. We need to draft and develop our 1st franchise qb of the future. Mayfield would be a great mentor and in one qb the new guy would see how you should and should not play qb.
January 5th, 2026 at 5:57 am
Get Rid of BOWLES
January 5th, 2026 at 6:09 am
Is Lichtn gone yet?
January 5th, 2026 at 6:18 am
š This is why nothing will change and we will continue to lose. The fans knew what we needed to draft in the last draft, but apparently Jason Licht didn’t!!!! Jason Licht CHOSE TO IGNORE the positions of need in the last draft that would have helped us win our 5th division title, but he didn’t, and we didn’t. Why should we trust him again?
January 5th, 2026 at 6:26 am
Personally I think the draft is a crapshoot and we should focus much more on free agency. And not cheapie FAs, but quality FAs. By the time a quality starter has 4-5 years, he’s still only 26 or 27 & has plenty of time left in his career. We need to seek out those players who are proven performers AND quality leaders by that point for key positions. Yes signing stars like that will cost some big $$$, but you’ll know what you’re getting.
Bucs have a LOT of rebuilding to do on defense. I’d prefer to revert back to our 4-3 defense. Create a very robust Front-4 that can create sacks/pressure without having to continually blitz and leave gaping holes in our pass coverage.
We’d have to change-out a LOT of players to make that work. Our DTs these past several years haven’t been gittin-er-done, and we need change there. I’d keep Kancey (as a DE), Diaby & Roberts, and probably Vea for 1 more year. We have ZERO ILBs who I consider to be quality starters, so we’d literally need THREE there. Dean is gone, and McCollum I’d rather trade, so we’d also need a couple of starters there. Morrison is a backup IMO, and Parrish didn’t exactly finish strong. Love Tykee Smith (and Izien too), but Antoine Winfield isn’t even close to earning the money that he’s making.
That leaves us keeping probably 5-6 starters (Vea, Kancey, Diaby, Roberts, Tykee Smith & probably Winfield) but needing 3 ILBs & 2 CBs & 1 beastly DT. Best way to fill those needs is mostly through free agency, with probably getting 2 of those needs filled in the draft. It’ll cost dollars, but it’s better than trying to fill starter positions with mid-to-lower-round rookies.
January 5th, 2026 at 6:32 am
I don’t really follow college football at all so I don’t even have a clue who I want at #15. I do know that Turd Bowl should be flipping burgers somewhere in another state or country.
January 5th, 2026 at 6:36 am
DR, Tykee Smith barely jogs when he is more than a few inches behind a play. Smith is at the top dead center of who I want gone.
January 5th, 2026 at 6:38 am
No, top dead center would be turd bowl.
January 5th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Worthless win in the last game !
Watch the players the Bucs need most get snatched before they pick !
Do you understand now???
Worthless win !
January 5th, 2026 at 6:59 am
Reese and Styles will be gone. Downs or Sadiq at 15.
Let me fix our LBs. Sign Nakobi Dean a free agent and work a trade for OLB Nick Herbig. Hes young and a relentless pass rusher for Tomlin. He doesn’t start there and after next year he will be a free agent. Herbig can play. Boom. Fixed. Then get Downs, he will be way better than AWJ. Sadiq is only 6″3 but he can run so many routes, good hands and speed. He would be such a mis match for LBs and S.
Dean won’t go back to Philly. A third for Herbig could do. Hes worth a second.
January 5th, 2026 at 7:01 am
I feel bad for any defensive player the Bucs draft that has to get messed around with by Bowles. I have zero trust in this staff doing the right thing with a front 7 player.
Devin White had a great year blitzing the QB…the next year they tried to turn him into a coverage LB.
Shaq Barrett had 19.5 sacks as a right DE…the next year he’s a left DE so a one handed JPP can play where he feels good.
January 5th, 2026 at 7:09 am
@ Defense Rules
Be careful judging players based on their history of playing for Todd Bowles. Unless you believe that magically Jason Licht only knows how to draft offensive players and absolutely stinks at drafting defensive players, there’s a disconnect there. Bowles absolutely sucks at identifying players strong points and building around them. He is a square peg/round hole coach.
January 5th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Licht traded back in 2022 from 27 to 33 with Jacksonville and received Logan Hall while Jacksonville got LB Devin Lloyd. Devin Lloyd is now the ranked the 3rd best LB in the NFL. LVD was getting long in the tooth and anyone could plainly see that Lloyd was the perfect pick , but the genius wanted Logan Hall-really?
Licht then traded up from the 5th to the 4th with Jacksonville to grab Zyon(I am bored) McCollum who was grossly overpaid when his contract was mysteriously extended. Jacksonville drafted a LB Ventrell Miller with the 4th rounder we gave up to get McCollum. Miller has been a good LB as well.
Licht is living on Brady glory and should be FIRED.
January 5th, 2026 at 7:13 am
No need to report on anything else until its done !
January 5th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Trade tge first round pick in a free agent trade and get a proven NFL Edge rusher. Our GM has failed time after time in hitting on this pick. After that draft a guard and Middle Line backer
January 5th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Yay, Jason gets to go pony shopping when he should be scouring the league for some stallions. Also, wasn’t ILB a need last spring? Oh rt, we got the retread ir Capt. Walker. I know the Joes disagree with this take, which I find ironic because Ira exclaims we don’t have the horses, Lee questions JL’s passivity in getting a FA guard and edge, and Steve well he’s the proverbial devils advocate, but Jason is a one trick pony. A super scout with league connections. Imo, he lacks vision and initiative unless nudged by his coach. Leaders take the reigns and steer the course, not wait and hope their coach has a plan
January 5th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Can’t wait to see a C drafted in the first round who Jason wants to turn into a guard. Maybe an undersized IDL who’s gonna shock the world as he sits next to Klein
January 5th, 2026 at 7:49 am
can you imagine if say, yaya played for the houston texans right now…
like how well would he be doing in a top defense…
OMG…
dude would be well fed, eating often, and snacking sufficiently
š
January 5th, 2026 at 7:51 am
i can not stress it enough…but what’s done is none…
we NEEDED to add kyzir white to the linebacker corps this past year…
sounds like a worthless move to many, but it would have panned out really well
January 5th, 2026 at 7:52 am
This so called GM has a lot of work to do, a lot to fix and to prove he actually knows what heās doing. Starting with coaches and FA. He needs to draft a lot better.
January 5th, 2026 at 7:54 am
Todd… I like Lloyd as well, but he hasn’t had a good career in Jville until recently. .so muchbso they decided his 5th year option.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:07 am
We’ve had zero pass rush since the SB season. Zero
Trying to piece it together with has beens like Reddick and mediocre draft picks who cant stay healthy isnt the answer. Maybe a change in scheme will help. The fans wont hate seeing DE’s rush the passer instead of dropping back in coverage. That alone might be worth it.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Anon Says:
January 5th, 2026 at 4:13 am
Canāt wait for the Bud Licht annual tradition of 1st round bust, 2nd round healthy scratch, and a mid round punters/backup RBs.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tristan Wirfs was a 1st round pick. Not exactly a “bust”.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:12 am
The best edge the Bucs could get would be to clean house including multi nicknamed Licht. Trusting another draft to this group is just a recipe for more second rate talent.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:14 am
You are just wrong BigZ
What grades from Pro Football Focus did the current group of Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebackers receive for their performances last season in 2024?
PFF recently ranked the Jaguars’ linebacker unit as one of the best in the NFL. Leading the way at this position for Jacksonville are Devin Lloyd and Foye Oluokun, both of whom can fill a number of different roles and are a skill set that will be put to use and maximized within Anthony Campanile’s defensive scheme.
“Devin Lloyd has emerged as a legitimate playmaker, earning a 91.0 PFF run-defense grade over the past two years to rank fourth at the position,”
January 5th, 2026 at 8:21 am
I would like to see Styles in the 1st and then Romero Height in the 2nd. Hopefully we get a vet Edge in FA
January 5th, 2026 at 8:22 am
Also in Lloyds’ Rookie season of 2022 he was Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. Lloyd has been good for a very long time and Bucs should have him
January 5th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Reese will end up rushing the passer at the next level as an OLB, Styles is the way to go for a LVD replacement (if there is such a thing).
January 5th, 2026 at 8:49 am
Licht is overrated by fans and especially local sports media. Time to upgrade the front office
January 5th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Joe is a moron.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:55 am
they’ll draft a person not a need or position. if the best person available is a receiver, thats who they’ll draft. nothing has changed.
January 5th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Rich McKay was fired too ā¦.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:04 am
The first order of business before the draft is to fire both Bowles and Licht. Jason has done very little to help the defense. Just about every defensive player he has drafted is not starter quality. He has hyped up rookies and let them start. Big mistake, he at least should have participated in free agency and gotten some decent defensive players.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Reese is def a dream. Probably taken after Moore and Fernando.
Styles tho would be there more than likely.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:12 am
To be honest, Bowles really hasnāt had much to work with on defense thanks to poor drafting and low quality F/As Licht gets on the cheap. Bowles had to agree with the poor personnel management, so both he and Licht need to be let go. Watching NO play ATL, it is clear even NO has a better defense than the Bucs. Sad reallyā¦.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:24 am
@Defense Rules
You are being a bit melodramatic with your player assessments, particularly about our rookie defensive backs. Morrison and Parrish were up and down as rookies, but they both showed promise. Winfield probably just needs a new coach to help adjust his attitude. I agree the cupboard is bare at linebacker, but I am not sure we need to invest a first round draft pick on one. I would try to fill that hole in free agency and on Day 2 in the draft. We need an impact pass rusher and that is where I would swing big in the draft. Licht needs to trade up and draft Rueben Bain. The guy is a beast who will demand double teams.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:26 am
Sonny Styles is the pick if the bucs go LB at pick 15. However pass rush is more important so I’d hope the bucs go for the best edge on the board or trade up. I think the first 3 picks have to be all defense. Do the bucs double down in the second round and third round like last year with CB but instead go LBs?
January 5th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Todd, correct Lloyd has emerged, recently, i.e. this year.
They declined his 5th year option in the off season. Hes a FA this year. If he was such a stud his previous three years the would have taken the 5th year, duh.
I like him but he has not beenbthe player they thought he was until the year. The same fir Etienne.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:41 am
If u think verse is good bain is that times two. Get him
January 5th, 2026 at 9:54 am
we need to find out if we will even care next season, Bowles being the DC/Head Coach is a road block. Not ready for draft talk–how about an offensivive coach? Todd Monken?
January 5th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Looks perfect for Todd bowls. Can’t cover in the passing game. Not good enough to beat somebody at the line of scrimmage cleanly with a pass rush move to make a sack. Kind of looks like a taller Hassan Reddick.
January 5th, 2026 at 10:06 am
SB LV: Rich McKay was not actually fired, he was “promoted” to Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment organization/ AMBSE CEO which I believe he now gets to look over a lot more in Artie’s portfolio but keep his nose out of ATL Falcon operations. McKay did shut down talks with Bellicheat and convinced Blank to hire Rah which seemed smart at the time but was McKay just making sure he did not get cornholed out of his job by a power hungry HC like he was with Chuckie in Tampa. No McKay probably will attract more candidates to the ATL, perhaps even one who wants to be the GM or hire his own without answering to McKay.
January 5th, 2026 at 10:24 am
First round pick on an LB would be moronic. That position has been devalued the same as RB on offense, unless that player is a generational talent you aim for a more premium position and not spend wagyu money for a pizza.
I like Sonny Styles, but if heās out of out range Nikhai Hill-Green formerly of Colorado and most recently at āBama would serve just as much purpose day 2.
āWeāve had zero pass rush since the SB season. Zeroā
2021 was literally the season RIGHT after, and we finished with 47 sacks compared to 48 in 2020. Get a grip.
January 5th, 2026 at 10:31 am
āTo be honest, Bowles really hasnāt had much to work with on defense thanks to poor drafting and low quality F/As Licht gets on the cheap.ā
The offensive line had to be totally rebuilt after 2022. Less about āpoorā drafting and more about re-prioritizing the roster moves after losing Jensen prematurely that offseason, moving Wirfs from RT to right and realizing we had Goedeke out of position. Not to mention Ali Marpet retiring.
Poor? Nah, more like our attention was elsewhere and moves were made to correct it that all didnāt fully work out all at once. We just drafted Barton last year to replace a guy we lost 2 years prior
January 5th, 2026 at 10:51 am
FIRE BOWLES NOW. THIS BLOODY SECONDS.
January 5th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Just don’t let Licht select any of the defense players
January 5th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Licht is fine drafting offensive players when he has good offensive coaching. It’s easy to see that Bowles and Grizzard screwed up an offense that Liam Coen had in the top 5 last year. That’s more on Licht not pressing Bowles to get a proven OC vs trusting Grizzard, who was horrible with the offense this year, or was it Bowles meddling?
When it comes to drafting defense, Licht has blown way too many premium picks on lousy defensive players. Can’t use the excuse of coaching because Licht has a defensive head coach. Licht has way too many stiffs he drafted for defense that he wiffed on:
JTS, Logan Hall, Braswell, Vernon Hargreaves, Devin White, Calijah Kancey, Noah Spence, Justin Evans, MJ Stewart, Kendall Beckwith* (injury related).
Other than drafting some good defensive backs he has been very poor drafting front 7 defensive players. I trust his instincts with offensive players but if he was listening to Lovie Smith or Todd Bowles or Bruce Arians for front 7 his choices have failed to build a kick-ass, take no prisoners front 7. Too light and not enough mojo up front in Tampa Bay.
January 5th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Just make sure Licht isnāt within a mile of the draft board. He should be cleaning out his desk with Bowles right now.
January 5th, 2026 at 11:35 am
SBLV
More accurately, McKay was forced out by lil Napoleon. Knowing the Glazers history of not firing in season bolsters that account.
January 5th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Boltsfan17
AMEN!
January 5th, 2026 at 11:49 am
PASS RUSH, PASS RUSH, PASS RUSH
January 5th, 2026 at 11:53 am
bucs4ever I agree with you. I have been saying it all along. Bowles can only coach the talent Licht puts in front of him. Todd has his issues for sure, no attention to detail being a big negative with him, but Licht ignored the positions of need on this team, and we would have definitely won more games and clinched the division again if he had addressed the pass rush situation. When we needed pass rushers, O- line and secondary,Jason drafted receivers.We sacked Josh Allen once when we played the Bills, and I believe Sterling shepherd caught more passes in that game than the rest of our receivers combined, Baker put 34 points on the board, and we lost. In the following game the Texans sacked Josh Allen 8 times and beat the bills. That is pretty good evidence that pass rushers would have made a huge difference for the team. Also every time we score, our offense is immediately demoralized when they watch the defense do nothing to stop our opponents and give them our momentum. We made every QB we played against this season,especially the rookies, look like Joe Montana because we couldn’t get any pressure on opposing QB’s, and they picked out lousy secondary apart because of it. And that is because Jason Licht did not focus on putting the positions of need on this team first. I say replace Licht before Bowles and if they do decide to part ways with bowles, bring in someone who will at least try and make an effort to motivate the team. someone in who
January 5th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
We haven’t had a pick that early in years. Would rather be winners though.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
This Pick must be used towards a difference maker at Edge or ILB
January 5th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
By winning on Saturday we lost in the draft sliding from #13 to #15. If the Bucs had lost Sat, they would have moved up to #12. Now Dallas (need DE/OLB), Ravens (need DE/OLB) and the Rams via ATL (need OL and secondary) are in front of Tampa Bay.
If Bucs decide to go DE/OLB, they need to swing a deal with Miami to move up to #11 or the Chiefs at #9. Bengals are at #10 and also need a DE/OLB.
January 5th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Litch to draft defense?? I’ll believe it when I see it… Vernon Hargreaves anyone? I dont trust the management in what theyre looking at… Devin White would be the best LB on this team right now.. Carlton Davis would be the best CB on this team right now… Zyon, really… just trash.. man’s is trash
January 5th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
āIāll believe it when I see itā¦ Vernon Hargreaves anyone? I dont trust the management in what theyre looking atā¦ Devin White would be the best LB on this team right now.. Carlton Davis would be the best CB on this team right nowā¦ Zyon, reallyā¦ just trash.. manās is trashā
I like how you left out Winfield, Davis, Dean, Murphy-Bunting, Whitehead, Edwards, Parrish, & Tykee. This fanbase is cooked lol
January 5th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Maroons. If Bowels is still on the job(s), Lawrence Taylor would play like Lawrence Showinski in Toodās schemes. This incompetent will stomp the great out of any young player. Please.