The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it clear they’re not standing pat in 2025.
After a season that exposed some depth issues on defense and special teams, the front office went to work, with the result being a more well-rounded football team. Tampa Bay’s roster underwent a facelift in key areas, from pass-rushing help to secondary reinforcements and special teams upgrades.
Generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a weak point in 2024. The Bucs addressed it head-on by signing one of the biggest names in free agency, Haason Reddick, to a one-year prove-it deal. Reddick’s 2024 was, frankly, strange, but he has 50 sacks under his belt before last season and is a former All-Pro. Tampa Bay wasn’t done there, they are double-dipped in the draft by selecting David Walker, a relentless edge rusher out of Central Arkansas, and Elijah Roberts, a versatile defensive lineman known for his explosiveness, having generated the most pressures amongst all players since 2023.
Together, they bring much-needed youth, speed, and aggression to Todd Bowles’ defensive front. These additions should immediately bolster a pass rush and create more opportunities for turnovers.
The Bucs also doubled down on their secondary, drafting two cornerbacks to inject youth and competition into the room. With aging starters and injury concerns looming last season, Tampa needed more than just depth — they needed potential. The rookies are expected to challenge for rotational roles early, especially in nickel and dime packages. Benjamin Morrison was a consensus top 10 pick before a hip injury that required surgery ended his season, and Jacob Parrish is another smaller, feisty corner who uses his attitude and heart to show what height doesn’t.
These moves give Bowles more flexibility and confidence in his defensive backfield.
Often overlooked but crucial, special teams got love, too. The Bucs signed punter Riley Dixon, who excelled in pinning opponents deep, something neither of the two kickers the Bucs rolled out in 2024 could do consistently, leading to short fields for opposing offenses. The Bucs’ return game also got a boost with the Bucs drafting two receivers in the draft in Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson. While Egbuka being a first-round draft pick might eliminate him from special team duties, with a stacked offense, it could be a way to ease him onto the field. As far as Tez Johnson, his short-area quickness and acceleration make him an ideal candidate to inject life into a stagnant return game.
With an energized pass rush, a deeper secondary, and improved special teams, Tampa looks ready to make real noise in not just the NFC South this season, but beyond.