The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 15th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

The Bucs enter the draft with just seven total selections, which won’t be enough to address all of their needs. Tampa Bay desperately needs a pass rusher and an inside linebacker, and they could stand to add depth at defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, interior offensive line, tight end, and wide receiver.

In other words, reinforcements are needed just about everywhere.

Because of that reality, the best-case scenario for Tampa Bay on draft night may be trading down from No. 15 and acquiring additional draft capital.

Fortunately, there is an increasingly-likely scenario on the table that would answer Tampa Bay’s prayers.

Ty Simpson’s rising stock could create ideal trade-down scenario for Buccaneers

Ty Simpson is widely viewed as the QB2 in this draft class behind Fernando Mendoza. As always with quarterbacks, it only takes one team to fall in love for a player to come off the board earlier than expected, and Simpson appears to be trending in that direction.

He has already secured Top 30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets.

While the Jets are unlikely to select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, they could become a factor later in the first round. New York is currently slated to pick again at No. 16, just one spot behind Tampa Bay.

That’s where things get interesting for the Buccaneers.

Any quarterback-needy team concerned about losing Simpson to the Jets may look to leap ahead of them and trade up to No. 15. If that scenario plays out, the Bucs would be in a prime position to capitalize.

General manager Jason Licht could find himself fielding multiple calls from teams attempting to jump New York, giving Tampa Bay significant leverage in trade negotiations.

From the Buccaneers’ perspective, it’s a win-win.

If Simpson is selected before No. 15, a premier prospect could fall into Tampa Bay’s lap. If he’s still on the board, the Buccaneers could trade down and add the ammo they need to overhaul the roster.