The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the offseason with a clear mission: bolster their linebacker corps and provide defensive powerhouse Vita Vea with some much-needed support on the line. While they had opportunities to snag big names like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby, the Bucs settled on A'Shawn Robinson, Alex Anzalone, and Al-Quadin Muhammad. These additions are solid, but none scream "game-changer."
With Lavonte David hanging up his cleats, the Buccaneers are looking to the 2026 NFL Draft to strengthen their linebacker positions. But that’s not the only concern. Jamel Dean's move to the Pittsburgh Steelers has left a noticeable gap in the cornerback lineup, now featuring Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, and Benjamin Morrison.
The cornerback position is a hot topic among Buccaneers fans and has been a focal point in many mock drafts this spring. Head coach Todd Bowles voiced his concerns at the NFL owners meeting, emphasizing the need for additional talent in the secondary. “We definitely need another cornerback," Bowles stated, leaving the door open for either a veteran or a draft pick to fill the void.
The challenge with pursuing a veteran cornerback is that most top options have already been snapped up in free agency. The rapid pace of the legal tampering period makes it tough to find late-wave value, especially with the Bucs juggling multiple defensive needs-and potentially offensive ones, too, with Mike Evans' departure.
However, Tampa Bay has a knack for uncovering cornerback talent beyond the first round. Carlton Davis III was a second-round steal in 2018, followed by Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean in subsequent drafts. Last year, they picked up Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish on Day 2.
General Manager Jason Licht will need to channel his scouting prowess on Days 2 and 3 of the draft to find gems at cornerback. Bowles is spot on-addressing this need is crucial, especially with the team gearing up for a season likely filled with high-scoring games. The Bucs have their work cut out for them, but history shows they’re more than capable of rising to the challenge.