Winners And Losers From Bucs Draft
April 27th, 2026
Which Bucs won and who lost in the wake of the 2026 draft?
Let’s have some fun with the draft as draft chatter stretches until Bucs rookie minicamp starts at the end of next week.
So who won and who lost with the Bucs?
Winner: Jason Licht
For reasons Joe is not fully sure of, in the past few months more and more chatter has surfaced where fans are upset with the Bucs’ AC/DC-loving general manager. Joe is sure the unpopularity of Bucs coach Todd Bowles doesn’t help, but that’s not Licht’s call.
The man built a Super Bowl-winning team. No? So, who was running the football operations of the Bucs? Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik wasn’t here. Bruce Almighty sure as hell wasn’t here. Nor was Chucky. And Richie McKay was long gone.
Joe thinks the frustration of Bucs fans with the team unable to find a legit edge rusher (not for a lack of trying) since Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul grew old fueled a lot of the angst.
Seeing Mike Evans walk out the door and take a massive paycut with his new team didn’t help Licht’s cause, even though from what Joe understands, Evans’ decision had nothing to do with Licht.
It appears if fans were so upset about the lack of an edge rush that they were starting to gather pitchforks for Licht, those folks have now had their voices silenced (for the time being) with the selection of Rueben Bain.
Winner: YaYa Diaby
If Bain really is all that and if Bowles can really develop a rookie edge rusher, the Bucs’ defensive line should be so much better. That ought to loosen things up for YaYa Diaby, who is still looking to match his 7.5 sacks output as a rookie.
If Diaby is able to reach 10 sacks because offenses will have to worry so much about Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and Bain, it’s perfect timing for Diaby who is entering a contract year.
Loser: Calijah Kancey
Joe is a big Kancey fan and Joe is not calling him a “loser.” But bagging a top-shelf defensive lineman is not great for Kancey. If Bain is able to ball out and Kancey once again misses a chunk of time due to injury, it will be easier for the Bucs to move on from the former No. 1 pick. Joe does not want to see that happen. Related: The deadline to use the fifth-year option on Kancey is Friday.
Loser: Zyon McCollum
Bucs corner Zyon McCollum likely had the worst year of his career as the defense collapsed last year and yes, Joe believes it quit on Todd Bowles. With the drafting of Keionte Scott, Jacob Parrish should be moved to outside corner full-time. And the Bucs didn’t draft Benjamin Morrison in the second round just so he could buy a house in Florida. In Joe’s eyes, McCollum is going to have to have a helluva training camp to hold onto his starting position, or possibly even hold his roster spot. Per Spotrac.com, the Bucs could save $8 million off McCollum’s contract if he is released before the fifth day of the 2027 league year (basically during the first week of free agency in March 2027).
Winner: Payne Durham
All signs seemed to be pointing at the Bucs drafting a tight end. Well, the Bucs actually did draft a tight end, Bauer Sharp out of LSU. But Joe doesn’t think a sixth-round pick in a draft with a shallow talent pool is going to threaten too many jobs. Dane Brugler of The Athletic referred to Bauer as “more average than above average.” So Joe really doesn’t count Bauer here as a threat to Durham.
Loser: Elijah Klein
Joe has stated many times that just eyeballing Elijah Klein, he does not look like an NFL guard. Joe is well aware what his measurements say. But when he stands next to other guards in street clothes, he looks like a fullback, maybe, or a bouncer at Ferg’s. In the handful of snaps Klein played,he got pushed around a lot. Bucs backup guards were downright terrible last year and the team badly needed someone like Billy Schrauth, who the Bucs drafted on Saturday in Round 5. Schrauth can play center and is very open-minded about playing tackle in a pinch. That means a lot for a backup offensive line. With the drafting of Schrauth, Joe does not expect the Bucs to keep both Dan Feeney and Klein.
Winner: Devin Culp and Ko Kieft
While Joe thinks Ko Kieft would have been safe because he’s a damn good special teams player and he is a very good blocker on offense, both he and Devin Culp likely got a little job security as the Bucs passed on drafting a premier tight end. Culp’s job security might be tested. He cannot have a repeat of last year where he looked like Kellen Winslow, Sr. in underwear football but when the pads came on in training camp, he vanished until the worthless preseason games began. Culp shows flashes but he’s got to be more consistent.
Loser: Chris Braswell
Time is running out, son.
April 27th, 2026 at 7:18 am
The lack of production from the tight ends was coaching or, lack thereof
April 27th, 2026 at 7:31 am
kancey did benefit from this not being a great DT class, though. even though he plays a sort of hybrid DE DT role. next year’s DT class should be better. so, if having talent at every position helps diaby, it could help kancey too.
I can imagine a scenario where diaby and kancey both get reasonable contracts and vea gets a mentor / veteran / late career short term contract while the team drafts his eventual replacement. similar to what we gave godwin and what we tried to give evans.
April 27th, 2026 at 7:37 am
Bucs rarely ever do badly enough (which is a good thing!) to get themselves a top 5-8 pick to be able to draft a top edge rusher. They got super lucky one fell this year.
April 27th, 2026 at 7:41 am
First sip of coffee… “ for reasons Joe is not fully sure of “
My GAWD man!
How can you possibly overlook the HORRENDOUS end of the season slides in
2024
2025
???????
April 27th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Payne Durham and Devin Culp
Has been here for years, just occupying roster space.
The Bucs are Losers for keeping them around
April 27th, 2026 at 7:47 am
The Bucs signed Caden Fordham ILB from NC State as a UDFA
With the already additions of Anzalone, Rozeboom, Trotter
I would say Sirvocea Dennis might lose out
I think it will come down to special teams
And l believe Fordham, Rozeboom are better ST players
April 27th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Speaking of winners and losers in the draft, how did Sean Sullivan end up?
1 out of 32 correct?
I know, trades weren’t factored in……
April 27th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Durham was a 5th with pick with little production in his career and Sharp was drafted after moving up 10 spots, so I think with Culps physical advantage, Sharp was drafted to replace Payne
April 27th, 2026 at 7:49 am
So last year all through camp all we heard about was what a beast David Walker was, what is his situation? I know he was injured, but I’ve heard nothing about the guy in a long time.
April 27th, 2026 at 7:54 am
I will agree with Joe that if “running the football operations of the Bucs” means that Licht did not offend Brady when he telephoned and stayed out of his way during the 2020 and 2021 seasons – Brady was the puppet-master for those two years – Arians and Licht were merely booze-sodden hand-puppets – want proof ?
Bucs were 7-9 in 2019 at the end of Licht’s Lost Decade – the Bucs were 8-9 last year with another Lost Decade looming – Joe conveniently neglected to mention Brady when he listed Dominik McKay Arians Chucky – speaks volumes – JBF is still in good graces at One Buc
April 27th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Joe … ‘But bagging a top-shelf defensive lineman is not great for Kancey’.
Not understanding the relationship Joe; Bain isn’t a DLineman. At 263 lbs he might be used out at DE in a 4-man front, but it’s hard to imagine using him inside in that formation.
Kancey is on thin ice as it is. I can’t imagine the Bucs picking up his 5th-year option. It’d cost them $14.5 to $14.75 mil to do so, the same amount Kancey made in his first 4 years total. Why not just wait & see how his 4th year turns out, then re-sign him if he balls out?
Looks like we’ve pretty much established our DLine & OLB position groups though.
o Vea, RNR, Robinson, Kancey, Elijah Roberts & Capehart will probably be our 6 DLinemen.
o Diaby, Bain, Muhammad, Nelson & David Walker will probably be our 5 OLBs. Might keep Braswell as a 6th OLB initially, to fill in for any OLB who goes on to IR.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Joe says, “Schrauth can play center…” Wait. Didn’t a post from a couple days ago point out that Schrauth has never played center?
Devin Culp can play. Grizz just didn’t know how or simply forgot to use him.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:04 am
I will agree with Joe that the TEAM is in acceptable shape for the 2026 season – the offense has adequate depth at all positions and has decent talent – the front seven and secondary have been patched and looks promising – assistant coaches have been replaced – but Bowles is still there – is he Sirianni Reid McVay ? Arians maybe ? nope – another losing season awaits
April 27th, 2026 at 8:04 am
How about the story on why Bucky Irvin didn’t return “on time “ last year
Rumors about mental health, confidence… whatever?
April 27th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Jason Licht didn’t trade up for Bauer, just to cut him
Durham or Culp has to go, maybe they both need to go
I don’t see the purpose of carrying 4 TE on a roster
Especially this season, with the addition of Ted Hurst
We might carrying an extra WR, one less TE
Kam Johnson is a ST keeper
Egbuka
Godwin
Tez
Hurst
JMac
Sills
April 27th, 2026 at 8:09 am
So Joe you said in this here article that retaining Todd was not Lichts’ call.
Are you really trying to tell JBF’ers that if Licht had gone to the Glazers and said ” Hey Joel and Bryan I like Todd, but I think he lost the room late last year and I believe it is time for a change” that the Glazers would not have gone ahead and pulled the plug on Bowles?
Licht does not get a free pass on Todd staying-Sorry Joe.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Winner: Jason Licht
For reasons Joe is not fully sure of, in the past few months more and more chatter has surfaced where fans are upset with the Bucs’ AC/DC-loving general manager. Joe is sure the unpopularity of Bucs coach Todd Bowles doesn’t help, but that’s not Licht’s call.
Joe, what has Licht done to be a winner without Brady and Arians? What has Licht done since they left to help this team go deep in the playoffs? Who has he drafted the last 4 years thats been to a pro bowl or made an all-pro team? All those contract extensions he gave out, how many of those players had a great season last year?
Joe has a very strange definition of “winner” like he has a strange definition of “intangibles”. How do you win a draft without seeing the players play in the NFL? The winners have left the building and the Bucs are left with Licht, Bowles and Baker. Of course these 3 stooges will lead this team to a deep playoff run with a few new rookies and a few new coordinators. Basically the same plan as last year, what could go wrong?
April 27th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Walker torn his ACL 3rd day of training camp so he is about 9 months since his injury that takes most at least 12 months to fully recover not mention the time it takes to get in football shape, so we shall see
April 27th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Can only speak for myself, but I am souring on Licht because he seems like he’s gotten too comfortable being the GM. He rarely takes any chances and he routinely blows second round picks like Joe blows cash at the craps table. He’s gotten way too predictable with coveting these draft picks instead of using them as leverage to improve the roster
April 27th, 2026 at 8:19 am
You have to pick up Kancey’s 5th year. It’s well worth the risk despite his injury history. He’s just too talented not to. It will cost the Bucs big time if they don’t. Spend on your lines and the whole team benefits.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:25 am
I think this is one of Jason Licht best off-season
He’s bringing a lot of toughness, physicality to the team
And it will improve the mindset of the players
We are trending in the right direction
April 27th, 2026 at 8:25 am
Winner: Bowles. He somehow managed to keep his job despite the results.
Loser: The fan base. We have been reduced from a championship contender to a third rate team in a moribund division full of losers.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Kancey decision will be easy!
Season is 17 games before the postseason and the REAL football games begin.
Can he make it through a full season of football?
I wonder what Kancey’s natural body weight would be without all the weight lifting and eating.
It could be that he has over stressed his natural body.
Another one of Lichts compromised draft picks trying to make up for the player drafted ahead of the Bucs who they really wanted.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Kancey is 100% a winner due to Bain playing with him.
Kancey led the Bucs in sacks 2 years ago playing with JTS. Imagine the QB now having to avoid pressure from the edge?
If Kancey stays healthy and plays at least 15 games, my money is he kids the Buvs in sacks and makes the pro bowl
April 27th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Lakeland says
“ I think this is one of Jason Licht best off-season
He’s bringing a lot of toughness, physicality to the team
And it will improve the mindset of the players
We are trending in the right direction“
I thought I stumbled into the archives and was reading a post from April 2024 or 2025
April 27th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Winner: Bucs Fans.
Losers: Bryce Young, Tyler Schough, Michael Penix.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:37 am
Never understand the love on this site for Devin Culp.
He was a 7th round, 246th draft choice meaning no other teams saw him as a viable NFL player. He has caught 6 passes in 4 seasons.
NFL history is littered with guys, both receivers and tight ends that are track stars and not football players. They don’t have the physicality to get off the line, and they get redirected off their route too easily. That includes plenty of 1st rounders, not just 7th rounders.
BTW, Jonnu Smith is still available if we want another receiving TE — one that our TE coach already worked with quite well.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:40 am
We only have 4 players remaining from our contending team
That’s 4 of 53, not counting Nacho
But l think we are a lot better than last season
We need to improve our roster every year
April 27th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Horrendous end of season slide in 2024??? 6-1 down the stretch when Evans returned after the 49ers game. Lost to Washington in wild card yes, but they did not implode in 2024 like they did in 2025.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:49 am
I’m with Tamps2ATL: this was a great draft for the Bucs. BTW, I just saw that Dane Brugler ranked their draft class #6 in the league.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:50 am
what kind of click bait is this, jason is a wiener in the draft based on the superbowl? how long til the bain for rookie of the year gaslicht posts start?
April 27th, 2026 at 8:52 am
You can ask what Licht has done to be a winner without Brady and Arians, but why would you? He was responsible for both of those guys coming here. Bruce, in particular. He had a past relationship with him which was pivotal in his signing here. And say what you want, but he was instrumental in Brady coming and building a roster that he was interested in coming here for. Which then nullifies the point you’re trying to make.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:52 am
“Afterall, the man built a Superbowl winning team, no?”
Uh, no. Tom Brady had been turned down by a few of his top choices due to his age and he saw some good receivers here and then talked the best tight end in the history of the NFL to come here along with several other talented players….and the Bucs went from a .500 team to SB champions. Looking at Licht’s track record in drafting, nope, I certainly don’t believe that he wins a SB had those other teams not passed on Brady and had he not walked in the door at One Bucs place. I realize that Licht commonly texts the local sports media and treats them as friends…..but, he needs to win without Brady or he gets no pass just as any other GM should not with his track record in the draft.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:54 am
The only problem k had with Jason Licht during the draft
Was trading our 7th to move up to draft Bauer
But other than that I think the draft was excellent
The Atlanta Falcons signed QB Jack Strand as a UDFA
I thought he were worth a 7th round pick
April 27th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Fanofdabucs Says:
April 27th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Kancey is 100% a winner due to Bain playing with him.
BINGO!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 27th, 2026 at 8:56 am
Oregon Buc makes a Licht criticism I can fully agree with. I too feel he has a certain level of comfort here. Of course it’s hard to knock a guy for feeling comfortable at his job. But it can also lead to gliding a bit and not taking risks you might take. If you know you need to bolster your resume in terms of production.
April 27th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Brady came here because of the talent on the roster that was not reaching its potential.
The fact that BA&JL were his is merely a footnote
April 27th, 2026 at 9:00 am
YEAH !! what ScottNFL said !!
April 27th, 2026 at 9:01 am
SB, that roster you mentioned was built by Jason. A Bit more than a footnote I would think.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:03 am
It’s going to be awesome rooting for Bain this year.
April 27th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Thanks for the info. Taking a deeper dive — 4 of the 5 ahead of the Bucs in the list had 2 first round draft picks. The other was the Raiders who had a bunch of draft picks including many early picks.