The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city where the Bucs found success this preseason with a last-second field goal to defeat the Steelers. Before next April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft.
The Draft Network’s Justin Melo recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle. Within it, the Bucs were attached to an edge rusher in Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who has been an absolute monster so far for the Red Raiders.
Brockermeyer explains the pick, writing, “Haason Reddick and Logan Hall are among the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ pending free agents. Head coach Todd Bowles will want to restock the cupboard. David Bailey is a hybrid, versatile edge defender whose athleticism would fit the scheme nicely. Bailey has elevated his game this season after transferring to Texas Tech from Stanford.”
Bailey has the physical build the Bucs like in their edge rushers, and the speed they are in need of off the edge. He would be a welcome addition to the offense and be a great tag team partner on the opposite edge from Yaya Diaby.