The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just a week away from kicking off the 2026 regular season.
The roster is loaded, and if they reach their potential, Tampa Bay could surprise a lot of people and emerge as dark horse Super Bowl contenders.
They’ll need some key players to step up and take their game to a new level for that to become a reality. There are three buccaneers in particular who could have breakout seasons in 2026.
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers ready for career years in 2026
OLB Yaya Diaby
No Buccaneers is better positioned for a breakout than Diaby. He’s led the team in sacks in two of his three pro seasons.
The problem? He’s done it as the primary edge rusher with a lackluster supporting cast.
The Buccaneers overhauled their defensive front this year, adding Rueben Bain Jr. and Al-Quadin Muhammad to the rotation, while getting David Walker back from injury.
They also strengthened the interior, adding A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
It’s the best defensive line Diaby has ever been a part of, and he should be the prime beneficiary from the team’s defensive overhaul.
WR Jalen McMillan
Everybody’s talking about Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Even rookie Ted Hurst is generating more buzz than McMillan, who has become the forgotten man in Tampa Bay.
But if McMillan can stay healthy, he could have a massive role in the offense. He was injured for most of last season after suffering a broken vertebrae in his neck during the preseason, but he miraculously returned for the final four games. He caught 12 passes for 178 yards.
That might not sound like much, but on a 17-game pace, that would equate to 51 catches for 757 yards.
McMillan is the same player who caught eight touchdowns as a rookie including one in each of the final five games of the season. He has chemistry with Baker Mayfield and should see an increased target share after Mike Evans’ departure.
Don’t be surprised if McMillan emerges as Tampa Bay’s most productive receiver this season.
S Tykee Smith
Smith was already impressive last season in his first year making the jump from nickel cornerback to safety.
Todd Bowles even declared earlier this offseason that Smith was the team’s best defensive player last season until he injured his shoulder late in the year.
He finished the year with 100 total tackles, two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries.
He’ll be even more comfortable in the system this year, and he has a chance to establish himself as one of the NFL’s best safeties with another great season.
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