Who could the Bucs trade up to select in the 2026 NFL Draft?

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to be aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft, it will likely be for a player they believe can help define the next era of their defense. One prospect that might be worth trading up for, if he falls out of Round 1, is Malachi Lawrence.

The fast-rising defensive standout has quickly become one of the most intriguing names in the 2026 class after a dominant 2025 season that put him firmly on the NFL radar. In his final year, Lawrence posted 11.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles, consistently wrecking game plans as a primary pass-rushing threat.

At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Lawrence brings the kind of size and power the Buccaneers have been missing on the edge. Tampa Bay’s defense has leaned on effort and scheme at times to generate pressure, but there’s a clear need for more consistent, physically dominant edge presence, especially in late-game situations where pure strength and finish matter most, and did not pan out in 2025.

Lawrence plays with heavy hands, plays through contact well, and has the frame to hold up against NFL tackles while still converting speed to power. For a Buccaneers defense transitioning after the retirement of Lavonte David and reshaping its identity in the front seven, adding more size and force at edge rusher has become a priority to slow down NFL offenses. What makes Lawrence especially appealing is how cleanly he projects into Todd Bowles’ system. He has the versatility to align in multiple fronts, but his biggest value comes from his ability to win one-on-one matchups without needing constant help or creative blitz packages.

That kind of independence from scheme is exactly what Tampa Bay has lacked at times.

The challenge, however, is that Lawrence’s stock is rising fast. With his production and physical traits, there’s a strong chance he’s taken off the board quickly. That puts Tampa Bay in a potential decision-making spot: stay put and risk missing out, or move up and secure a player they view as a foundational piece. Trading up is never cheap, especially for a team with multiple roster needs, but this is the type of prospect that forces teams to reconsider value.