On paper, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a stellar 2026 NFL Draft.
The headline selection was, of course, Rueben Bain Jr., but the team also landed some of the draft’s biggest steals in Ted Hurst and Keionte Scott.
But there’s a rookie flying under the radar that could be even more impactful for the team’s long-term future, and it’s a player they signed as an undrafted free agent who won’t even touch the field in 2026.
Jalon Daniels could finally solve Buccaneers’ backup QB problem
The Buccaneers have been playing with fire over the last few seasons by not making a serious investment at the backup quarterback spot.
They’ve been extremely lucky, with Tom Brady not missing a single game due to injury in his three seasons in Tampa Bay, and Baker Mayfield similarly not missing a game through three seasons with the team.
But over the last few years, they’ve relied on an inexperienced Kyle Trask and a washed-up Teddy Bridgewater as their backup options. If disaster struck and Mayfield did have to miss time due to injury, the season would go up in flames.
The Bucs boast too talented of a roster to lack a true consistency plan at backup quarterback that can keep the offense afloat if a nightmare scenario unfolds.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels could solve that problem.
Jalon Daniels is a raw, developmental prospect, and his impact won’t be felt immediately. In fact, he likely won’t make the 53-man roster thanks to the presence of veteran Jake Browning. He’s a candidate to spend his rookie season on the practice squad.
But looking ahead into the long-term future, Daniels could quietly prove to be one of the team’s most impactful additions of the 2026 offseason.
He’s already won over the entire organization, from Jason Licht down to the coaching staff, and he could have a legitimate shot to develop into the reliable backup quarterback the team has been searching for.
Everybody is waiting to see the impact that Rueben Bain makes, with hopes he’s the long-awaited savior of the pass rush.
Josiah Trotter could play a key role in his rookie season with a chance to join the franchise’s storied history at the linebacker spot.
All eyes are on Ted Hurst as he attempts to fulfill the X wide receiver role that Evans held down for 12 seasons.
And while Jalon Daniels’ impact won’t be immediate or felt on the stat sheet like the rest of the rookie class, don’t get it twisted.
If Daniels ends up becoming a reliable backup quarterback capable of winning games for Tampa Bay in a pinch, it’ll solve one of their longstanding weaknesses and could quietly make him the most impactful addition from this draft cycle.
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