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NFL
Will past drafts help predict what the Bucs may do in Round 1?
TL;DR
The Buccaneers' draft strategy suggests they may target edge rushers or offensive linemen in Round 1, focusing on athletic upside and smaller-school prospects. Historical trends indicate a preference for building the trenches and developing raw talent.
Key points
- Buccaneers focus on building the trenches in drafts
- Preference for athletic upside over polished talent
- Smaller-school prospects are considered if they rise in pre-draft evaluations
Mentioned in this story
Jason Licht
Tampa Bay BuccaneersNFL Draft
Every year around draft time, everyone tries to guess what the Buccaneers are going to do based on needs, visits, and whatever rumors are floating around. But if you really want a better feel for it, just look at how Jason Licht has drafted in the past.
First off, the trenches always matter. The Bucs love building up front, and thatâs shown up again and again. Whether itâs Tristan Wirfs, Calijah Kancey, or even Vita Vea in years past, theyâre not afraid to invest early in guys who can impact the line of scrimmage. Going into 2026, that still feels relevant, especially at the edge where they added depth but not a true difference-maker. That kind of screams early-round target based on their history.
Another big thing: traits over polish. Tampa Bay has consistently leaned toward athletic upside, even if the player isnât fully developed yet. Kancey wasnât the biggest interior guy, but his explosiveness popped. Benjamin Morrison was all about potential despite the medical flags of injuries past. The Bucs trust their coaching staff to develop talent, so donât expect them to just grab the âsafeâ pick.
One trend thatâs easy to overlook is that theyâre not scared of smaller-school guys, but those players usually rise into their range rather than being surprise reaches. Think Ali Marpet back in the day, or even more recently guys who flew up boards during the pre-draft process. If a small-school prospect dominates the Senior Bowl or tests like crazy, thatâs when they get on Tampa Bayâs radar. So for 2026, keep an eye on those types, edge rushers or offensive linemen from smaller programs who are suddenly getting Day 1 or Day 2 buzz.
Those are the ârisersâ that fit what the Bucs tend to like.
On the flip side, falling prospects arenât always their thing unless the value is just too good. The Bucs donât usually gamble on guys with major red flags or big-time slides unless theyâve done a ton of homework. Theyâd rather take âtheir guyâ a little early than hope someone drops. And thatâs probably the biggest takeaway: they trust their board. Tampa Bay has never been afraid to go get who they want, even if itâs a slight reach compared to consensus.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft: Can past drafts help see what the Bucs may do in Round 1?
Q&A
What positions are the Buccaneers likely to target in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Buccaneers are likely to target edge rushers or offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft.
How has Jason Licht's drafting history influenced the Buccaneers' draft strategy?
Jason Licht's drafting history shows a preference for building the trenches and selecting players with athletic upside over polished talent.
What factors do the Buccaneers consider when selecting smaller-school prospects?
The Buccaneers consider smaller-school prospects who have dominated at events like the Senior Bowl or have shown exceptional testing results.