Depth And Juggling Are On Todd Bowles’ Mind
February 25th, 2026
Todd Bowles drops draft clues.
So what are the Bucs looking for in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Todd Bowles was less shy than usual about sharing yesterday while he made the rounds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bowles emphasized on SiriusXM NFL Radio that the Bucs only have two inside linebackers under contract, so count on the Bucs fixing that need. However, Bowles stressed that depth will be a huge part of the Bucs’ draft.
It seems Bowles thinks he had too many players that were borderline worthless.
“So when the next man up comes in, he’s got some type of specialty that he can do and play. Whether it’s he can tackle, whether he can run, whether he can catch, whether he can block. He’s gotta have one thing he’s good at,” Bowles said. “So we’re looking for depth. If we can build from the middle and the bottom of the roster up, we’ll be a better team.”
Interesting.
Bowles added that relying on depth “is where the game is today” and head coaches and playcallers need to adjust.
“You gotta be able to juggle people and move ’em in and out. And it’s up to you to make sure that when you put those guys in there that don’t start typically that they’re doing what they can do that help them make the team,” Bowles said.
“You can’t ask a fifth-round corner to do what a first-round corner does. Right. He’s a better man guy and this guy’s a better zone guy and you put in the game and you play man, you’re blaming this guy and all he can play is own. You better know he can play zone. So you better tailor his defense that way. Same thing offensively if you get a guy like that. So it’s not that hard. You just gotta know why they made the team, and when they go in the game you gotta know how to use them.”
Hearing all this, Joe wonders if Bowles felt fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard failed Bowles’ standard for adjusting well to using players pressed into duty because of injuries.
You can read Bowles’ explanation for firing Grizzard here, a JoeBucsFan.com exclusive.
February 25th, 2026 at 8:33 am
He seems to have the answers.
Lost in Translation apparently!!!
February 25th, 2026 at 8:34 am
So what are the Bucs looking for in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Offense – IOL depth, TE, RB and maybe another solid WR if ME13 leaves.
Defense – CB, ILBx2, IDLx2, OLB if we don’t add one via FA.
February 25th, 2026 at 8:35 am
17 games is the problem. NFL greed and wokeness. Bowzo the clown Coach should juggle well it is part of the act. Too many games not enough players.
February 25th, 2026 at 8:36 am
This is Todd’s way of telling Jason Licht you better not be whiffing 14 mil on my edge rusher again, because if you do we are both toast.
February 25th, 2026 at 8:41 am
But he said the coaches did all they can do and now its up to the players to decide….so what one is it?
February 25th, 2026 at 8:57 am
So he fired his OC because injury riddled as the offense was it couldn’t make up for his terrible healthier defense cool bro.
February 25th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Hilarious input from Bowles, Grizz cant adjust to his injured players!!!!! Bowles cant adjust to his healthy players. talk about pot calling kettle black. This guy is lost!!!!!!!!!!!
February 25th, 2026 at 9:17 am
What does wokeness have to do with anything??? What does that even mean???
February 25th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Unfortunately Grazard was learning on the job. Injuries torpedoed his chances of weathering the storm. His name will pop up in a couple of years. He’s smart and talented so his future looks promising. Wish him well.
February 25th, 2026 at 9:34 am
While most fas on this site want a big name in the draft, I’m leaning towards better depth. Injuries are going to happen, teams with depth continue to win. Can’t do that with only 2 Linebackers!
February 25th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Bowles is talking about the secondary. It seems Ronde’s comments about specializing secondary players has actually been heard by Bowles. Ronde’ said that the secondary guys are learning 2 or 3 positions and are less effective than if they played only one. A couple of years ago, Zyon said the same thing. Speaking of guys who are better in zone, that’s Zyon. Zyon is terrible in the lower red zone because he’s not great in man.
February 25th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Wake me up when Bowles is fired.
February 25th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Excellent point Joe. Reminds me of when Evans was out and Grizz was calling corner fades to Shep from the two yard line. Still a bit shocked at how little feel he seemed to have calling plays.
February 25th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Sounds like a guy trying to prove to everybody that it’s the players fault for not understanding his complex system. He stated some guys aren’t as good as others but still puts them in situations where they can’t succeed. And doesn’t change it at all. Ya…we are gonna have another great defensive year Bucs fans. 😔
February 25th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Nothing wrong with being woke.
The opposite is asleep.
I hope the Bucs get more IDL’s and ILB’s both from free agency and the draft. Devin LLoyd would be perfect to add- he’s in the top 3 linebackers in the league against the pass. That’s the kind of player we need.
February 25th, 2026 at 10:16 am
Speechless about the utter cluelessness. Holy cow.
February 25th, 2026 at 10:21 am
I get the Bowels hate, but a lot of you should actually listen to what Bowles is saying in these combine interviews then taking small clips from JBf.com. He isn’t stating this is on the players, actually quite the opposite – go educate yourself
February 25th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Hard to build depth when you let Dean, Otton, Nelson & Rachaad White Walk.
February 25th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Bowles … ‘So it’s not that hard. You just gotta know why they made the team, and when they go in the game you gotta know how to use them.’
It’s not that hard? Replacing a seasoned veteran with a relative newbie seems like it’d be extremely hard because you’ve got not only the newbie to be concerned about, but also the newbie’s ‘influence’ on the other players around him.
Jamel Dean’s a good example IMO.
o He only played 14 def snaps in the Eagles game; we lost 31-25.
o He missed the next game in Seattle; we won 38-35 but our defense got roasted for 4 passing TDs.
o He only played 2 def snaps in the Buffalo game; we lost 44-32 and our defense got roasted for 3 passing TDs.
o He missed the next game against the Rams; we got trounced 34-7 but it could’ve been MUCH worse; our defense gave up another 3 passing TDs in that game.
o He only played 33 def snaps in the Miami game; we lost 20-17 against a rookie QB who threw 2 TDs in that game.
o He didn’t play in the last game against Carolina; we won that game 16-14 with Parrish & Morrison playing outside CBs.
So Jamel totally missed 3 games & we won 2 of them. He also played only a part of 3 other games, and we lost all 3. Might be a simplistic view, but leads me to the conclusion that when depth players (and coaches) know PRIOR to the game that they’ll be playing, they can get more practice in & probably do better (Bucs won 2-of-3 games that Dean totally missed, but lost all 3 games where his ‘sub’ was inserted after he got hurt).
February 25th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
But fans would be better served if Todd kept his mouth shut more often. Because when he does speak he sounds utterly out of touch with reality.
February 25th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
If your players only have certain talents then your opponent will know why they’re in the game and will adjust. Something the Bucs seem to have trouble doing.