SportsPreview
Notebook: Breaking down the past week of Wisconsin’s spring ball practices
Insights from the Wisconsin Badgers' recent spring practices.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
Buccaneers make franchise-altering move in latest mock draft
TL;DR
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning a significant trade in the upcoming NFL Draft, moving from the 15th to the 7th pick to select defensive player Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami. This move aims to enhance their pass rush under coach Todd Bowles.
Buccaneers make franchise-altering move in latest mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter the NFL Draft knowing that Todd Bowles has to get more out of his pass rush in 2026.
Hasson Reddick was supposed to be the player last season that helped the Buccaneers get after the quarterback, but he didn't become the player the franchise had envisioned.
Now, with the draft fast approaching, the Buccaneers, who pick at No. 15, have some defensive players in mind.
But who? For CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli, he has the Bucs executing a huge trade with the Washington Commanders to move up to No. 7 and taking Miami's Rueben Bain Jr.
"Now the phones begin ringing," Fornelli wrote. "Washington could take Bain here, but with only two top-100 picks and only six overall, the Commanders move down to acquire more. Meanwhile, the Bucs move up to get the pass rusher they desire in Bain."
More:Justin Herbert will love Chargers' pick in latest mock draft
Bucs make huge move for Bain
Slotting Bain into the Buccaneers' defensive line would give Bowles a genuine pass rush monster on the edge.
We know that the Buccaneers, at times, last season, struggled to get after the quarterback, and having Bain, one would think that will surely help things.
The offense is set for the most part, so it makes sense for Tampa to go defense in the first round, but the cost of moving up from No. 15 to No. 7 would be huge, and I don't know if the Buccaneers would want to part with that sort of draft capital.
But if they do, and take Bain, they just got a genuine game-wrecker for Bowles' defense.
More NFL news:
Q&A
What trade are the Buccaneers planning for the NFL Draft?
The Buccaneers are planning to trade with the Washington Commanders to move up from the 15th to the 7th pick.
Who is Rueben Bain Jr. and why is he important for the Buccaneers?
Rueben Bain Jr. is a defensive player from Miami, and the Buccaneers aim to select him to strengthen their pass rush.
What challenges did the Buccaneers face with their pass rush last season?
The Buccaneers struggled to improve their pass rush last season, particularly due to underperformance from Hasson Reddick, who did not meet expectations.
