As the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still don’t have a clear picture on how the team will attack this pivotal draft.
Luckily, ESPN gathered some intel from Bucs insider Jenna Laine to offer some insight on Tampa Bay’s potential draft plans.
ESPN insider predicts Buccaneers could draft up to five defensive players in 2026 NFL Draft
As expected, Laine predicts that the Buccaneers will be using the majority of their draft capital on the defensive side of the ball. The Bucs finished with the 20th-ranked scoring defense and the 27th-ranked passing defense in 2025, so they are desperate for reinforcements.
“Edge rusher, inside linebacker and cornerback are needed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them doubling up at corner again. But the Buccaneers are also doing a lot of work on this year's tight end class, have looked at a lot of interior offensive linemen for depth and would not pass up a best-player-available situation at a non-need position. So, I'd say as many as five defensive players will be selected," wrote Laine.
Perhaps the most surprising piece of speculation from Laine is that Tampa Bay could double up at cornerback for the second straight year. Just last offseason, the Buccaneers drafted Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish on Day 2, and signed Zyon McCollum to a three-year, $48 million extension. It seems that despite the major investment last year, the front office isn’t satisfied with the position.
With so many needs to address, and limited draft capital to do it with, the Bucs have their work cut out for them in determining what positions to prioritize during the draft.
That could even include an offensive player, and Jason Licht showed us last year that he is more likely to draft the top player on his board rather than reaching for a need.
Don’t rule out the Buccaneers drafting an offensive player in the first round of 2026 NFL Draft
A key nugget Laine shared is that the team has done a lot of work on the tight end class as well as interior offensive linemen, and wouldn’t pass up a best-player-available situation, even if it’s an offensive player that doesn’t fill an immediate need.
That seems like a direct hint toward two players in particular in the first round: tight end Kenyon Sadiq and offensive guard Vega Ioane.
Both are projected to be drafted in the range of Tampa Bay’s first round pick, and depending on how the board falls, either Sadiq or Ioane would have a legitimate case as the best player available when the Bucs are on the board at 15th overall.
So for as many pressing defensive needs as the Buccaneers have, don’t be shocked to see them lean into the strength of the team and make an explosive offense even more dangerous.
Sadiq is one of the most exciting players in this draft class. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, the fastest ever for a tight end. He’s a dangerous receiving threat and a matchup nightmare waiting to happen, but he’s also a strong run blocker and has what it takes to be a well-rounded tight end at the pro level.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is known to heavily utilize 12 personnel, and Sadiq would be the perfect complement to Cade Otton for Robinson’s two tight end sets while helping provide some offensive firepower and red zone capabilities the team needs after losing Mike Evans.
Ioane has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl caliber guard. With Cody Mauch entering a contract year and coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Ben Bredeson being just a serviceable player that can be improved upon, Ioane would give the front office some flexibility when deciding on the future of the offensive line unit.
So while the Bucs plan to go defense heavy, but that doesn’t mean they won’t kick off the draft with an offensive player if it’s the top guy on their board. Sound familiar? Last year, Tampa Bay kicked off the draft by selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round before spending four of their five remaining picks on defensive players. Based on Laine’s intel, a similar situation could be unfolding leading into the 2026 NFL Draft for Tampa Bay.