{"id":656211,"date":"2026-01-05T15:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/656211\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T15:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:34:14","slug":"bucs-now-know-where-they-will-draft-joebucsfan-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/656211\/","title":{"rendered":"Bucs Now Know Where They Will Draft – JoeBucsFan.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

That time of the year.<\/p>\n

Joe is not used to this.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been 2019 since Joe typed a draft-related story this damn early in the calendar year. Still, not as bad as during The Lost Decade when Joe often was typing draft stories before Halloween.<\/p>\n

The Bucs losing out on a tiebreaker to Carolina for the NFC South title marks the end of a five-year streak of Bucs playoff appearances.<\/p>\n

Joe is pretty sure in 2021, coming off winning the Super Bowl and a wild free agency period, Joe may not have typed a draft story until April of that spring.<\/p>\n

(Joe hates typing about the draft early because by the time April comes around, Joe\u2019s ready to puke typing about the draft. And by mid-April, Joe wants to strangle anyone pushing a damned mock draft. Ugh.)<\/p>\n

The NFL released the 2026 draft order for all non-playoff teams. The Bucs will pick at No. 15.<\/p>\n

That is close enough in Joe\u2019s mind that Bucs AC\/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht could trade up into the top-10 and get a difference-maker on defense.<\/p>\n

Jenna Laine of ESPN seems to be thinking<\/a> the same way. As much as Joe would love an edge rusher, under the current staff, drafting an edge rusher is burning a valuable draft pick.<\/p>\n

The first edge rusher Bucs coach Todd Bowles develops will be his first.<\/p>\n

The weakest area on the Bucs\u2019 defense is clearly linebacker. Joe doesn\u2019t expect Lavonte David to return for 2026. Just from watching the speech David gave to his teammates after Saturday\u2019s game, it sure has the feel that David will call it quits on a fabulous career.<\/p>\n

Laine believes the Bucs must replace him.<\/p>\n

Biggest need: Linebacker. With this very possibly being it for Lavonte David, the Bucs will have an enormous task ahead of them in replacing one of the greatest players this franchise has ever known. But it\u2019s not just David. They still aren\u2019t getting the production at edge rusher either, with Haason Reddick not having the rebound season he\u2019d hoped for \u2014 although YaYa Diaby continues to take steps forward.<\/p>\n

Linebacker. Inside linebacker, not outside.<\/p>\n

So, since the Bucs are at No. 15, is that high enough for Licht to swing a deal to get Ohio State gamewrecker Arvell Reese if he slides?<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t Joe allowed to dream?<\/p>\n

Watching Downs but couldn’t help marveling at Ohio State LB Arvell Reese<\/p>\n

Seems like the perfect LB for today’s NFL. Can play the run off-ball or on the LOS, but could also just be a 3-4 OLB all 3 downs pic.twitter.com\/QvN70Anhf2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) December 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t