Dream Scenario
April 16th, 2026
Tipping pitches or bluffing?
Someone isn’t listening to Todd Bowles.
If the Bucs select just about anyone other than an edge rusher or an inside linebacker at No. 15, then it is high time to start giving Bowles respect and heeding his words.
A year ago at the NFL owners meetings, Bowles said with a straight face, but to many non-believers, that he was on board if the Bucs wanted to go offense in the first round. This came at a time when most who don’t pull a check from Team Glazer believed the Bucs would draft an inside linebacker in the first round.
Instead, the Bucs drafted receiver Emeka Egbuka.
This offseason, Bowles again said he believes in picking the best player available in the first round and drafting for need after that.
This is something Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht reinforced yesterday at One Buc Palace about Bowles’ philosophy. But it seems SI.com NFL scribe Gilberto Manzano didn’t get Bowles’ memo.
Manzano is of the mind Bowles’ dream would be to select an edge rusher at No. 15.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dream Scenario: Top edge rusher being available at No. 15
Coach Todd Bowles desperately needs an impactful edge rusher. That hindered his defense last year and didn’t allow Bowles to be as aggressive with his play calls.
Drafting Reese, Bailey or Faulk would certainly be a dream come true for Bowles. Maybe Tampa Bay can take Bain, but there’s plenty to unpack from the report that emerged from him being involved in a fatal car collision in 2024.
The two Joes are split. One Joe believes, no matter what Bowles and Licht are saying (or more importantly, not saying) the Bucs will indeed pick an edge rusher at No. 15, barring a trade down.
The other Joe doesn’t believe Bucs fans can dismiss the arrows pointing at Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq but leans toward the Bucs going defensive tackle if Licht can trade down, possibly Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
But really, who knows? That’s the beauty of the draft: drama and suspense.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:07 am
Here’s a dream scenario : Bowles resigns effective immediately – Licht is not going to draft a LB OLB or TE – it’s going to be C/G
April 16th, 2026 at 12:31 am
No one listens to Bowles, especially the players on his “defense.” It doesn’t deserve to be called that.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:33 am
No one listens to him. Especially not his defensive players.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:47 am
The thing with Bain is next to nothing. Not a good reason to not draft him.
So…to me, a dream scenario is Styles falling to us.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:49 am
Terrible reporting. Reese and Bailey will be long gone. He should know that. And faulk, he would be way overdrafted at 15. Very little production. A gamble on greatness given his measurables. Bain if he is in play could be a pick. Doubt he drops that far even after the recent news.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:52 am
The one thing I do not look forward to reading if they take an antibiotic edge rusher at 15, an article here pointing out Bowles never having developed an edge rusher. No one does…until they do.
April 16th, 2026 at 1:30 am
The sooner we stop seeing his picture in Tampa the better. Every time we see it’s just a reminder of how low the standards in Tampa have fallen.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:37 am
Drafting Faulk a player who had 2 sacks last year would be a dream scenario? Sounds more like a nightmare to me.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:35 am
trade back a few spots. take cashius howell (a pure pass rush machine) and jacob rodriguez. then a tight end and corner with the next two picks. i’d be stoked with that outcome.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:52 am
I want a DE, DT and ILB on the first 2 days. I would even accept CB.
I will be very upset if the Bucs continue to NOT address D and instead pick a G or TE in the 1st rd. That would be malpractice. Offense should only be addresses on day 3 or maybe in the 3rd round if the Bucs trade back and get a few extra picks.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:56 am
We entered lying season about 2 weeks ago. This is when the large amount of what GMs and HCs say is meant to be tactical deception. I sure as heck hope that is the case with all of this ridiculous TE and G nonsense discussions of potential 1st round picks. Best case is Sadiq goes 14 to the Ravens and the Bucs don’t have to consider him. OK, best case is Styles falls to 15, but I don’t think anyone believes that will happen.
April 16th, 2026 at 6:03 am
Dadgummit Joe! You got me, I thought he was fired. Dangit
April 16th, 2026 at 6:48 am
They know what they need more than anyone else
I’m on the outside looking in, I’m ok with whatever they decide to do
As long as the player is physical with a high football IQ, and loves to play
April 16th, 2026 at 7:16 am
I really dislike the TE talk but if they draft Faulk my head may explode. He’s a bust and lesser player than Logan hall
April 16th, 2026 at 7:40 am
If they cannot trade down (or up) then Sadiq may represent the best value when they pick. Difficult to say…
April 16th, 2026 at 8:13 am
Protect Baker and improve the run game….
trade down and draft IOL with our first pick and defense the rest of the way
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Funny thing here is, I think both Joes may be wrong. I dont think TE is in plat at 15. I also dont think their will be an edge rusher available (unless Bain falls) at 16 worthy of the pick.
Dream scenario is the Bucs trade down and get an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick. Then draft BPA in round one.
Kiper (who may not be the know all, but the guy studies these guys year round), only has 1 DT going in round 1 and it’s not MacDonald.
If thry can’t trade down, I think they pick J Rodriguez, Guard or Mesidor. Just my hunch.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Bowles’ says “best player available” when he really means “best DEFENSIVE player available”. This is my HOPE – just like many of us, we are full of hope for the Bucs picking players we personally like.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Hilarious stuff. Like any of these guys can possibly make a difference. If you believe that, I’ve got some acreage in the Nevada desert between Reno and Las Vegas I’ll sell you. Great investment.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:39 am
3.28, I’ll take that deal, but only if you promise an ocean view.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Nobody listens to Bowlzo.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
HIRE A DEFENSIVE CORDINATOR!!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Best available player is always subjective. Bucs had a chance to draft eventual DROY Carson Schwessinger and/or Nick Emmanwori. They didn’t because the so called experts didn’t rate these two great defenders high enough. So much for the best available player nonsense. This year Jacob Rodriguez isn’t getting enough “expert” endorsement. All the guy does is play great football. Guessing that whoever gets him will see a guy in contention for this year DROY.