Following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, the chapter officially closes on the 2025-26 NFL season. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and finished with an 8-9 record, coming in at second place in the NFC South behind the Carolina Panthers. Now, the focus shifts to building the roster for the upcoming year as evaluations commence. The Bucs own the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and here are predictions by pundits for Tampa Bay:
NFL.com
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (Jan.26)
Pick: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Comments: “One of my favorite players to study, Howell plays 100 mph at all times and has the production to back it up (27 career sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss).”
CBS Sports
Blake Brockermeyer, CBS Sports (Jan.28)
Pick: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Comments: “Cashius Howell wins with speed and a strong long-arm move, with the ability to counter inside when tackles overset. He plays with a great motor and natural pass-rush instincts, and his twitch and get-off can cause problems.”
The Draft Network
Jaime Eisner, Draft Network (Feb.8)
Pick: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Comments: “Jamel Dean is likely gone from Tampa Bay, and the cornerback room needs an influx of talent regardless. Selecting Jermod McCoy is a calculated risk—he missed the entire season recovering from a torn ACL suffered last January.”
PFF
Pick: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Comments: “The Buccaneers’ lack of pass rush was a major reason why their defense fell flat down the stretch of the 2025 season. Howell earned elite 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades in each of the past three seasons, and he would immediately be Tampa Bay’s best pass rusher.”
The Athletic
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic (Feb.9)
Pick: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Comments: “Whether or not Lavonte David retires, Allen would be a great fit. If David comes back for another year, he could mentor his future replacement; if not, Allen is more ready to start (and possibly wear the green-dot helmet) than most linebackers his age.”