The Tampa Bay Buccaneers learned the hard way in the 2025 NFL season, though Jason Licht and the Bucs organization should have already known this lesson well, that you cannot win in this league with a pathetic pass rush. Besides YaYa Diaby, who is too inconsistent to be remotely near the level of a top player right now, the Bucs had no semblance of a pass rush going for them.
Though they did add a couple of pieces to the front seven this offseason, the Buccaneers did not splurge on local hero Trey Hendrickson or gamble in a trade for Maxx Crosby. Instead, general manager Jason Licht, as expected, stood pat, and the Buccaneers must now find a top edge rusher in this year's draft class while addressing other defensive needs like inside linebacker, cornerback, and even defensive line.
Most teams that need a pass rusher tend to prioritize it in the first round, but if the best options are off the board by the time the Bucs pick at No. 15, which they probably will be, then Licht isn't going to reach just to miss out on a better prospect in a different area of need.
Gabe Jacas is a perfect NFL Draft fit for the Buccaneers
In his seven round 2026 NFL Mock Draft extravaganza, legendary draft analyst Dane Brugler had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waiting until the second round for their pass rusher, gifting them a quality player whom the Bucs fans had been hearing about earlier in the draft process, Gabe Jacas.
The defensive end from Illinois had a productive 2025 college football season and is well regarded for his strength, especially at the point of attack. Jacas plays with a great motor. There are more quick and explosive edge rushers in this draft class, but Jacas outplays many of them with his motor, football IQ, leadership, and all around quality.
In a lot of ways, Jacas has the package the Buccaneers are looking for. He is a solid Day 2 pick with little bust potential and looks like a tailor made, solid starter from day one. Jacas may never become a 15-sack specialist in this league, but he can comfortably get in that 7-10 range and be a quality piece for this team, representing great value in the second round and fitting the kind of values this team wants to play with as a defense, specifically the focus on consistency and not being afraid to get violent in the trenches.
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