The Perils Of Drafting An Edge Rusher At No. 15
March 22nd, 2026
Todd Bowles
You know it, Joe knows it: the Bucs need an edge rusher like a fish on a boat needs water.
Of course, a potential simple way of solving this is to draft an edge rusher at No. 15.
Better brace yourself, Lee Roy Selmon breath.
Joe was listening to a recent edition of Mina Kimes’ podcast and she had words of caution for Bucs fans. She watched edge rushers bank coin in free agency this month and believes there was a reason. Kimes noted she does not see any edge rusher in the draft below a potential top-10 pick who can contribute as a rookie.
The Bucs draft at No. 15.
So in Kimes’ eyes, a team drafting an edge rusher after No. 10 is looking at 2027 for him to make an impact. Maybe later.
And this dovetails into Joe’s biggest fear of drafting an edge rusher at No. 15: “This Joe” may get home that night and break down and cry because that’s burning a valuable pick for the 2026 season.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has not developed a double-digit edge rusher. Not in Arizona when he was a defensive coordinator. Not in New York when he ran the Jets. And never in Tampa. Then throw in these little unpleasant nuggets: Since Bowles has been Bucs head coach, edge rushers he had as rookies never improved on their rookie sack totals.
Joe doesn’t like betting against “never.”
Joe is OK if the Bucs want to roll the dice and take an edge rusher after their first-round pick. But reaching for an edge rusher at No. 15 (if you believe Kimes), expecting the current coaching staff to develop a monster off the edge, that’s a Sunshine Skyway Bridge too far for Joe to expect.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:03 am
ILB.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:10 am
One thing hurting the Bucs chances of landing a solid pass rusher is the lack of QBs being offered in this draft…
Only one QB will be drafted before the Bucs pick at #15.
Unlike the last few years when there were several decent QBs drafted before pick #15.
It’s a Bucs life.
Do we really want the 5th or 6th best pass rusher with pick #15?
I don’t think so.
Would rather trade back and draft the 2nd best ILB plus add another 2nd or 3rd round pick.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:11 am
We need an Edge and ILB but it feels like the players that will be available by the 15th pick will be a reach. I am all for drafting BPA and getting an Edge an ILB in the other rounds. It is a deep Edge and ILB class
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:14 am
CJ Allen at 15. Lead the Bucs D for the next 10 years no matter who’s coach. With Anz taking David’s spot, Allen replacing Dennis, a weakness becomes a strength. The middle of our D becomes tough, not soft. Allen at 15, big problem solved.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:22 am
DL or ILB
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:29 am
I’ve been saying exactly what Mina Kimes said
I watch a lot of college football, and l follow college football closely
Arvell Reese
David Bailey
Rueben Bain Jr
Those 3 are the cream of the crop, Top-10 talent
The rest of the Edge Rushers are Late 1st – 2nd round talent
If Licht draft one of them at 15, he’s not reaching, he’s stretching out
Trading down for more picks is my opinion
If he can’t trade down, then it have to be BPA
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:34 am
Draft some coaches. Just try it. If it’s not allowed, it won’t make a difference.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:38 am
I like the trade down for an extra pick or two scenario myself.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:42 am
Chop Robinson is a perfect example–everyone wanted that guy, (he went at 21 last year) he is average at best thus far
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:42 am
Use the second round pick to move up otherwise you’ll draft two limited players
instead of one quality player.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:46 am
All the mocks last year projected Jihad Campbell at linebacker.
I wonder how he worked out?
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:46 am
Grok says it would cost THIS year’s 1st and 2nd, and NEXT year’s 1st to move up to #5
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:53 am
Abdul Carter was one the best Edge Rusher to come along in years
He didn’t get his first full sack until the Giants 13th game
And he was playing opposite of Brian Burns
Washington Huskies WR Denzel Boston won’t be a bad pick
It’s not like we have to go Edge
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:54 am
That’s Bowles problem if he can’t develop talent which is in the job description. The sun is setting on a mediocre career for him, maybe Licht if he whiffs again like he did with brasswell.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:57 am
Amen! What would be worse case scenario is wasting a top 15 pick on round 2 mediocre non-contributing Edge player for no good reason. Especially when we can safely hit on OG Ioane or ILB CJ Allen (or Hill Jr, J Rodrigues, pick your flavor) at #15. Pick later round prospect Edge in the appropriate round. Hell, double/triple up in rounds 4-6 after LB/OG then CB in 1-3.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:58 am
I’ve been saying the same thing for a month. You have to draft defensive starters with picks 1 and 2. You Cannot draft edge as that player most likely doesn’t start or contribute much this season. Look for round 3 or 4 for an edge. You don’t a starting TE 30 million and then draft one with first pick, not happening.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:03 pm
That’s has been the main problem with Jason Licht drafting Edge Rushers
He spends premium draft picks on the likes of Spence, JTS, Braswell
And they don’t immediately produce, so the fanbase label them as a bust
But they’re only a bust because they were drafted too high
If they were drafted accordingly to their talent level
They would’ve been drafted between 3-5 round
And they would be producing like a 3-5 round pick
That’s why Anthony Nelson never received the bust label
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
BPA front 7 the first round unless we can the #1 or #2 corner in the draft.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
This regime hasnt been able to evaluate edge rush talent for a decade. Just face the music and realize your strengths and weaknesses. We cant evaluate RB or DE talent period. OL and WR and even CB and DT have been pretty solid. For whatever reason they just dont know how to evaluate pass rushers.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:16 pm
I hear you Joe. I said prior to FA, draft a stud LB with the first pick because even if the Bucs were picking 1 they could not draft an edge rusher!!. Yes don’t waste the pick. I am not sure what kind of plan they have but having a good defense this year is not in the plan. Take a look: Presently two of the worst corners in the league, 3 more stud LBs needed and yes an edge rusher. They can’t do all that in the draft!!. So the plan ,think we all want to know! Hope the offense can score like 35 40 points a game cause the defense has big ,big holes.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Sorry guys, best player available = Sadiq!
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Yeah I don’t like the idea of edge in round 1.
Looking at a 25 year old, a developmental prototype with no production or a dude with alligator arms.
The draft lines up well for the Bucs needs, just not at 15 unfortunately.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Keep shooting keep drafting odds are you’re gonna hit one eventually take a premium and get that best edge rusher
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Superfranky respectfully, sir, throwing a dart at #15 for another guy standing on sideline on Sundays is precisely what we should avoid.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Don’t do it. Best player available. Use those 4 round picks for reaches.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:49 pm
No. TJ Parker or CJ allen
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:08 pm
If they can’t find a trade partner at 15 or move up for Baily, Bain or Styles I would take Mesidor from Miami. He’s played solid, not a reach, and I think you can move Kancey off his hip outside, I think that would be a dynamic 1-2 punch, add some ILBs as quick as you can and go from there.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:12 pm
If the best player on the board is an edge rusher you take him. Simple as that.
Also Kimes is as insightful about football as Sidney Sweeney is about subtlety.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:21 pm
@Marine. Amen
Trade down may be hard to find. Maybe the 2nd corner falls to us or #1 IOL even though that sucks. Still better than edge who can’t get on the field. We have enough of those already.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:25 pm
I agree Joe. Bucs should take the best player available when it comes to the number 1 pick. Knowing Licht thats what they will do.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:38 pm
@ BadBucs
“Still better than edge who can’t get on the field. We have enough of those already.”
Exactly.
This team needs production not potential.
We need to draft 2 maybe 3 starters in April and selecting a 4th string OLB at pick #15 seems extremely idiotic to me…
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Just remember and never forget…..
Mike Evans threw up on Bowles’ shoes and Jason Licht’s desk and left for a well coached team who won despite more injuries than an ER on New Years Eve.
He waved good bye to Baker Mayfield for Brock Fargin Purdy.
All the hopium in the world isn’t changing that and moving on from it to pretend brighter days are around the corner is a fool’s errand.
Unless/until youknowwho is no longer employed by the Buccaneers, the last 9 games of 2025 will look like a playoff run.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:54 pm
3.28.Evans
You mean the 28-3 OC Kyle Shanahan
So Mike will get him his ring
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Pick 15 is no man’s land this year. Very little value for our defensive needs. Maybe corner still has some value in that spot, but I dont see them picking that position that early.
A trade down would be great, and trading down twice would be ideal. This team needs options on the roster, and more players better the odds.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:07 pm
OK going edge if he’s at the top of the board simply because there’s a high probability there’s a new DC and scheme next season.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:10 pm
Preach Lakeland. This girl talking about a stupid 28-3 regular season game must have forgot about the biggest blunder in NFC south history. Lol
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:12 pm
I agree with Joe and Kimes here.
Bain or Bailey are the 2 guys id take as sure fire impact edge rushers. After that there’s a whole lot of potential (Faulk..looks like Tarzan, plays like Hall) and questions marks (Howell..big production but questionable arm length).
JL will not reach for “need”. If he can trade out of the 15th spot a d is forced to stick and pick, I could see best available DT, OL or CB.
Perfect case scenario would be trade into mid 20s and get J Rodriguez, CJ Allen or Howell. While picking up 2 more 2nd round picks. Then with 3 2s, you can address lots of “needs”.