Buccaneers land at No. 18 in ESPN post-NFL draft Power Rankings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw a slight shift in perception following the 2026 NFL Draft, landing at No. 18 in ESPN's latest post-draft power rankings.

Way-too-early ranking: 17

Most improved position: Edge

Between the signing of free agent Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had 11.0 sacks last season, and the selection of Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15 in the draft, the Bucs are hoping they can get back to the type of pressure they were generating off the edge in 2020. Back then, the team won the Super Bowl with a 7% sack rate (seventh highest in the NFL). Per ESPN Research, the Bucs ranked 23rd in sack rate (5.8%) in 2025, the lowest for a Todd Bowles defense since the 2017 Jets. -- Jenna Laine

Tampa Bay’s one-spot drop reflects a league-wide landscape in which incremental improvements across multiple teams over the three-day NFL draft weekend have reshuffled the middle tier. While the Buccaneers didn’t make a dramatic leap, their draft class, led by Rueben Bain Jr., drew positive attention, highlighted by several impact additions viewed as strong value selections.

The Buccaneers are banking on continuity and internal development under head coach Todd Bowles, with quarterback Baker Mayfield still anchoring an offense that lost Mike Evans to . Around him, the roster features a mix of proven veterans and ascending young talent, including recent draft picks expected to compete early for snaps.