The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a five-star 2026 NFL Draft class if they want to keep up with the rest of the vastly improved NFC South following their brutal collapse at the end of the 2025 season.
Improving the Lavonte David-less defense should be at the top of the priority list for Jason Licht and the front office, specifically when it coms to adding an impact pass rusher and one more big name in the secondary.
These five vets may be on borrowed time in Tampa Bay, as a robust NFL Draft class could force them out of a prominent role.
5 Buccaneers veterans who could be in trouble after 2026 NFL Draft
5. EDGE Anthony Nelson
Nelson is starting to run out of road in Tampa Bay, as it seems unlikely that Tampa is going to invest the type of draft capital many believe they will in their pass rush and still keep someone who isn't a hyper-explosive athlete or productive player at this stage of his career. Nelson has been a solid pick, but 2026 may be his swan song.
4. TE Payne Durham
Even after Cade Otton was re-signed, Tampa Bay is likely to use one of their top picks on another tight end in a fairly deep class. Durham, who has become essentially a sixth offensive lineman when he is on the field, has now shown enough pass-catching upside to discourage the Bucs from bringing in some competition.
3. LB SirVocea Dennis
Dennis has regressed to a point where many Bucs fans would likely be willing to pay for the first plane ticket out of town. Even though the addition of Alex Anzalone would guard against Dennis' poor play in coverage, the Buccaneers would be wise to pick another young standout in the NFL Draft
2. EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Muhammad is going to give this pass rush some much-needed juice coming off a career season with the Detroit Lions. However, if the Bucs use one of their top picks on a pass rusher who could be an immediate contributor that can play the run better than a designated rusher like Muhammad, the veteran is not going to steal a ton of snaps.
1. CB Zyon McCollum
McCollum is still a great athlete on the outside, but after adding two cornerbacks in last year's draft and losing Jamal Dean in free agency, Tampa seems willing to completely remake the secondary. McCollum is still a nice NFL cornerback, but if the Bucs go corner early, McCollum may find it rough to assert himself as CB1.
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