During his tenure as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager, Jason Licht has made it a priority to invest in the trenches early in the draft.
To demonstrate Licht’s emphasis on building the trenches, let’s take a look at how the Buccaneers have invested premium draft capital in offensive and defensive linemen over the years:
First Round Draft Picks | Second Round Draft Picks |
|---|---|
DT Vita Vea (2018) | OT Donovan Smith (2015) |
EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (2021) | DE Noah Spence (2017) |
DT Calijah Kancey (2023) | DT Logan hall (2022) |
C Graham Barton (2024) | OT Luke Goedeke (2022) |
EDGE Chris Braswell (2024) |
Through 12 seasons, Licht has drafted nine players that play either on the offensive or defensive fronts in the first two rounds. That is a telling pattern that provides some insight on Licht's priorities in roster building, and the trend could very-well continue in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Olaivavega Ioane could be an under-the-radar Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft fit
Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound guard offers one of the highest floors of any prospect and excelled in both pass and run blocking at Penn State. He’s a physical, powerful player who fits the mold of a Buccaneers offensive lineman.
Whoever drafts Vega Ioane is getting a BEAST 😤 pic.twitter.com/jFuz2mWqmv
— Outta Pocket with RGIII (@OuttaPocketRG3) March 19, 2026
According to Pro Football Focus, over 616 snaps in 2025, Ioane allowed zero sacks or QB hits, just four pressures, and only one penalty. He graded as PFF’s 13th-best guard out of 686 qualifiers, earning an elite 87.0 pass-blocking grade.
While Tampa Bay’s offensive line is already strong when healthy, there are legitimate reasons to consider investing in an interior lineman early. Right guard Cody Mauch is coming off a season-ending knee injury and will hit free agency after 2026. The organization values Mauch, but he could command nearly $20 million per year, and the Bucs already have one of the league’s most top-heavy, expensive rosters.
With other key players including quarterback Baker Mayfield and defensive tackle Vita Vea also due for contract extensions next offseason, it’s no guarantee the team will be able to bring back Mauch at his market value.
Meanwhile, left guard Ben Bredeson has no guaranteed money after 2026 and could be upgraded. Ioane carries Pro Bowl potential, and his ceiling might exceed that. A starting line of Wirfs, Ioane, Barton, Mauch, and Goedeke would arguably be the league’s best on paper.
It’s still almost a certainty the Bucs will draft a defensive player in the first round, but that’s exactly what everyone said last year before Jason Licht shocked the world by picking Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. The move paid dividends, as injuries at wide receiver in 2025 opened the door for Egbuka to take on a feature role early. With Mike Evans leaving in free agency, investing in the position last offseason looks even smarter in hindsight — otherwise, wide receiver would have suddenly become a pressing need this year.
That kind of forward-thinking approach could be the same mindset that causes the front office to consider Ioane in Round 1. Licht loves to build the trenches and is known for drafting the best player available over immediate need, so don’t be surprised if he throws another curveball in 2026.