The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have looked horrible through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL regular season, and after a truly embarrassing loss to Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns, it's time to take stock of the Bucs again. Here are two players whose stocks are rising and three whose stocks are tumbling, leaving Todd Bowles out of it entirely because the head coach's stock was always at rock bottom anyway.
Stock Down: QB Baker Mayfield
Honestly, the less said about Baker Mayfield, the better. He has been the biggest disappointment for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sense that he has taken his big payday and simply thrown games away for the Bucs. Not only did he fail to take care of the football against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he was honestly even worse for the Bucs against the Cleveland Browns because he could not even move the ball against a weak defense that Trevor Lawrence had no problems with shredding. Baker Mayfield does not look like a franchise quarterback right now.
Stock Up: ILB Josiah Trotter
For a second straight week, rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter led the Buccaneers in tackles, and he is the only real bright spot for this defense. Trotter already looks like the heir to Lavonte David, which is a good thing since offseason signing Alex Anzalone has been dreadful.
Stock Down: NT Vita Vea
Vita Vea, like Baker Mayfield, is doing nothing to make good on his big contract this offseason, and you have to wonder why he was so adamant on getting a massive pay raise if he was going to play this invisibly. Vea is putting zero pressure on the quarterback and is not making life easier for the pass rushers.
Stock Up: RB Bucky Irving
Bucky Irving is averaging more than five yards per carry this season, and the Buccaneers need to be getting the ball in his hands more often. Zac Robinson has to make Irving the center of his scheme, not Mayfield, until the quarterback can prove he is back in form under center. Right now, Irving is the Bucs best offensive player.
Stock Down: ILB Alex Anzalone
Alex Anzalone does not belong anywhere near the Buccaneers starting lineup, and he honestly looks like Devin White 2.0 instead of a stabilizing defensive presence, which is what the Buccaneers are paying him to be. It's time to divest from the former Detroit Lion.
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