March 20, 2026, 5:25 p.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain linked to defensive upgrades in early projections for the 2026 NFL Draft. In a recent CBS Sports mock draft, the Buccaneers once again address the edge position, selecting Auburn pass rusher Keldric Faulk with the No. 15 overall pick, as seen in the full mock draft.
Faulk brings an intriguing blend of size and upside at 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, making him one of the more physically imposing edge defenders in the class. While opinions vary on where he fits best at the next level, the consensus is that he has the tools to develop into a highly effective defender.
The projection highlights a growing trend surrounding Tampa Bay’s draft outlook, with multiple analysts connecting the team to edge rushers early in the first round. Adding another pass rusher would make sense for a Buccaneers defense that continues to look for consistent pressure off the edge.
Tampa Bay currently has Yaya Diaby and Chris Braswell as part of its young edge group, but adding a player with Faulk’s traits could elevate the unit and provide long-term upside. His experience in the SEC also offers a level of competition that could help with the transition to the NFL.
At this point, it’s becoming pretty clear the public believes the Buccaneers could be targeting help off the edge early in the draft.
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