So Far, NFL Not Enamored With Bucs’ Roster
July 10th, 2026
Denied.
As the four-letter does every year, this summer is no different.
In an effort to bridge the dead time in the NFL between the Fourth of July and the start of training camps this month, BSPN surveys NFL types (coaches, scouts and suits) for a top-10 ranking at each position.
So far, BSPN has listed four positions (running backs, cornerbacks, edge rushers and defensive tackles). A fifth one (tight ends) is scheduled to drop today.
The Bucs have been shut out, and Joe thinks it may be a stretch for Cade Otton to get into the top-10.
On Saturday, offensive tackles are supposed to be published. Joe expects at least Tristan Wirfs to be included and maybe Luke Goedeke, too.
Joe found it funny when Jeremy Fowler, who coordinates this annual project, remarked about edge rushers, “The NFL is enjoying a golden era for pass rushers.”
Yeah. Except a certain city in Florida along the Gulf Coast.
There, the coach prefers edge rushers to “do other things.” So while the NFL as a whole enjoys the influx of quality edge rushers, the Bucs fight like hell to buck the trend, seemingly having seven sacks as a limit for edge rushers or otherwise they have to go to the principal’s office.
(Ssshhh… here’s a clandestine clip of an edge rushing technique from Bucs practice.)
Joe thought perhaps Vita Vea would make the unsourced NFL types’ top-10 of defensive tackles. Nope. But he did get honorable mention.
Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “He’s still such a load to deal with, and he played a little lighter last year, which is good for him.” — NFL defensive line coach
So far, these lists make Joe think one of two things: Either Joe is inflating the Bucs’ talent or these NFL folks polled aren’t hip to what the Bucs have.
Of course, the defense might not have much top-10 talent because the pass defense was mostly lousy last year.
Joe’s hoping this NFL panel is way off base when it comes to the Bucs.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:12 am
I hope Tykee makes the safety list. AW3 could drop out since Bowles knew he had no pass rush and so he had AW3 playing 20 yards off the line. He was so far back that the defense was playing with 10 players.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:17 am
What’s so impressive about this roster? The best player on the team is on the OL. No consistent playmakers anywhere and the team is counting on a rookie on defense to bring juice to the team. The whole organization needs an overhaul. Bringing back the main decision makers and players from the 2-7 nosedive isn’t a great strategy. Especially when those same players have had diminished results the past 3 seasons.
No team is having sleepless nights before the face the Bucs.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:20 am
You can have a team with all the talent in the world, but coaches or should I say coach, that can’t develop that talent, the team will always be mediocre.
I would love to jump on the bandwagon and say this team is a ten win team. I just don’t see it with the defensive coordinator the Bucs have now.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Did they make one of these last year? Be interested to know that they thought of THAT team
July 10th, 2026 at 7:38 am
“So far, these lists make Joe think one of two things: Either Joe is inflating the Bucs’ talent or these NFL folks polled aren’t hip to what the Bucs have.”
Reality is somewhere in the middle. We’ve got talent, but this is the NFL which means everybody else has talent. Still got to come together, put it together, and perform at a level of consistent week in and week out to win ball games. That, remains to be seen.
We’ll see how useless the preseason is this year.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:39 am
Guess we should stop supposing, guessing and try to forecast what’s going to happen. Let’s see, we do have a few new players and coaches, that might make a difference. I always like rooting for the underdogs.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Wonder how many of the Seahawk units made it this time last year? My guess is not too many.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Yeah? Well, last year they told us the roster was a Super Bowl caliber roster. And I believed it. I bought it hook line and sinker. All the promises about Braswell, SVD, Yaya, and the others.
So I don’t really care about opinions.
I need to see the score at the end of the game. That’s all that matters.
July 10th, 2026 at 7:53 am
What was so “impressive” about Seattle, NE?? How bout Chicago, Jax etc…?? You and Nobody knows what team is gonna make the tournament, not to mention the SB..Any Given Sunday …Look at the Rays no one had them winning ..They’re playing the best baseball right now .Sorry you think you know but you dont ,its easy to be negative nelly
July 10th, 2026 at 8:02 am
@bee
PREACH!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 10th, 2026 at 8:09 am
That Curly clip is a classic!! Spit my morning coffee all over my computer! Thanks a lot Jose!
July 10th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Outside of Offensive Tackle the Bucs don’t have an elite player, it’s a HUGE strike against Licht and his inability to build a roster. The Bucs as a whole have some good players who can compete together (in a bad division) but they just don’t have the elite talent of serious NFL teams.
July 10th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Outside of Wirfs, I can’t understand HOW even a Bucs Fan, could think that we had any Top-10 Players, at their positions… Unless, they were just DELUSIONAL. It’s been AWHILE NOW, since Winfield Junior has played at that level. I’ve been saying all along, that we have ZERO “ELITE” talent, outside of Wirfs. And, I believe that it is an absolute indictment on LICKT. But, it’s just more of the same… A weak roster, but still good enough to ‘potentially’ WIN the lowly NFC South. And, with no end in sight. WOO-HOO… YIPPEE. Yawn.
July 10th, 2026 at 8:38 am
Last season… or potentially a trade deadline candidate depending on the W-L record at the deadline.
July 10th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Our Ring of Honor GM hasn’t drafted a Pro-Bowler in 6 years