![\"MIAMI](\"https:\/\/platform.bucsnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/03\/gettyimages-2253779860.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 1: Reggie Virgil #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks in the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
Roster: Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, Garrett Greene, Dennis Houston, Jaden Smith<\/p>\n
Losing Mike Evans to the 49ers is, and will be, a spear to the heart for any Buccaneers fan from a sentimental perspective. But even beyond that, a simple truth is that Evans can still ball, and the Bucs currently employ no one who adequately replicates his skillset.<\/p>\n
Their primary man beater and deep threat (though he was consistently reliable in the intermediate parts of the field as well), Evans\u2019s absence at the \u201cX\u201d alignment will demand much more out of younger guys. A first-round rookie, Egbuka raced out to a historic start in the first half of the season but slowed down significantly after defenses started keying on him and playing more man coverage from which he struggled to separate. He\u2019s still young with plenty of upside, so no need to be too panicked, but it will be a key challenge for the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n
McMillan missed most of the season with a broken neck, but he showed some serious flashes when he returned. He showed the ability to beat man and zone coverage, finishing with 12 catches for 178 yards in 4 games (2 starts). It was a small sample size, but given that and his hot stretch to conclude 2024, fans should be excited to see what he can do in Year 3.<\/p>\n
Godwin has never been a traditional X type of player, and that\u2019s fine since he plays short-yardage and screen situations so well thanks to his field awareness and YAC ability. Expect him to handle more of the same. Tez Johnson can torch various coverages but his diminutive size will always inhibit his ceiling since he\u2019s not an elite athlete to compensate.<\/p>\n
The rest of these guys are practice squad\/bottom-of-roster longshots who won\u2019t be included in any long-term plans unless they absolutely marvel decision-makers out of nowhere.<\/p>\n
So with that said, the Bucs adding a receiver with some size who can at least take snaps at the X is definitely not out of the question. Would it be Round 1 again? Unlikely but Jason Licht and Co. have shown they sternly believe in their BPA approach.<\/p>\n
On Days 2 or 3, keep an eye on names like Notre Dame\u2019s Malachi Fields, Georgia State\u2019s Ted Hurst, Texas Tech\u2019s Reggie Virgil, or Florida\u2019s J. Michael Sturdivant.<\/p>\n
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Sam Roush #86 of the Stanford Cardinal runs past Adon Shuler #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game on November 29, 2025 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Roster: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp<\/p>\n The Bucs re-signed Cade Otton to a modest extension that keeps him as the team\u2019s TE1 for now, a role which he filled admirably for the last couple seasons. He\u2019ll never be a dynamic playmaker, but Otton is savvy and has become a better blocker in every year he\u2019s played, so you could do a lot worse.<\/p>\n However, the spots behind him leave a decent bit to be desired and could do for an upgrade, especially given that Zac Robinson has an affinity for running 12-personnel (two tight ends). Payne Durham is fine, but isn\u2019t a good enough blocker to make up for his complete lack of juice in the pass game. Devin Culp is all juice with zero blocking chops, and he just hasn\u2019t impressed enough to dissuade the team from seeking upgrades. Ko Kieft is a special teams player primarily who can block here and there pretty well so it seems likely he will stick around.<\/p>\n The Kenyon Sadiq in Round 1 hype has seemed to die down for Tampa, as it probably should have given the team\u2019s other needs. However, seeing an upside investment in late Day 2 or early Day 3 wouldn\u2019t be too eye-opening.<\/p>\n Names like Georgia\u2019s Oscar Delp, Stanford\u2019s Sam Roush, Cincinnati\u2019s Joe Royer, or Texas A&M\u2019s Nate Boerkircher.<\/p>\n Roster: Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Benjamin Chukwuma, Marshall Foerner<\/p>\n Not too much to speculate on here.<\/p>\n Not only do the Bucs have arguably the league\u2019s best left tackle in his prime, but they also have a upper-tier starter at right tackle with Goedeke. A top-5 tandem in the NFL, the Bucs are set on the edges, injuries permitting.<\/p>\n However, even then it seems the team has unearthed another UDFA gem in Ben Chukwuma, who began playing football at 18 and started just 12 games at Georgia State before not only making Tampa\u2019s 53-man roster but also starting 2 games. And in those two starts, he actually held up well and showed the upside of a high-end swing tackle.<\/p>\n The Bucs also added former top D-II tackle Marshall Foerner on a futures deal, so he\u2019ll get his chance to earn a practice squad spot.<\/p>\n SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 20: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Billy Schrauth (74) moves into position during the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 20, 2025 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Joseph Weiser\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Roster: Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, Elijah Klein, Dan Feeney, Luke Haggard, Ben Scott<\/p>\n The interior OL sabotaged the Bucs\u2019 offense for a huge chunk of 2025, as consistency never found its way to the unit. The Bucs played starting center Graham Barton out of position at left tackle for several weeks while Tristan Wirfs recovered from off-season knee injury, while Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson missed 15 and 6 games respectively due to injuries.<\/p>\n Add in that even the backups got hurt, like Mike Jordan and Luke Haggard, and the Bucs needed to rely a mish-mash of retreads to keep the offensive line functioning. How they managed to not be absolutely horrible is a testament to OL coach Kevin Carberry, but you can bet the team will not want to go through a similar spin cycle again.<\/p>\n On top of that, there is little long-term certainty at guard or center right now. Cody Mauch looked very good in his second season but then lost basically all of 2025, so he will be playing the final year of his rookie deal with big expectations this season. Graham Barton is a former first-rounder who has not taken a shine to the center position like the team has hoped, despite excellent athletic talent and big-time \u201cwow\u201d moments on tape. His future might be as a guard.<\/p>\n So overall, this is a weak spot depth-wise that could spread into starter territory if there aren\u2019t some decent investments made in the next 12 months.<\/p>\n If the Bucs decide to add via the draft, Day 2 considerations might include Georgia Tech\u2019s Keylan Rutledge, Notre Dame\u2019s Billy Schrauth, or Duke\u2019s Brian Parker II. Day 3 names might include Oregon\u2019s Alex Harkey or Indiana\u2019s Pat Coogan.<\/p>\n AUBURN, ALABAMA – AUGUST 31: Defensive lineman Keldric Faulk #15 of the Auburn Tigers looks to tackle quarterback Cornelious Brown IV #10 of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Roster: Calijah Kancey, A\u2019Shawn Robinson, Vita Vea, Elijah Roberts, Elijah Simmons, Nash Hutmacher, Jayson Jones<\/p>\n The Bucs\u2019 entire front 7 is currently in flux, and as such it needs investments everywhere.<\/p>\n They got off to a good start bringing in veteran A\u2019Shawn Robinson, who is a burly run crusher that will add much-needed size and attitude to the defensive line. He should be a good compliment to the more nuanced Calijah Kancey and Elijah Roberts. Kancey has shown excellent flashes but simply cannot remain healthy, as he has played in just 29 games in three seasons. Roberts showed some pass-rushing acumen as a rookie last year so he\u2019ll get notable snaps.<\/p>\n Vita Vea, who\u2019s been everything the team could\u2019ve asked of a nose tackle picked top 15, is on the wrong side of 30 and entering the final year of his deal. There were signs of slowing in 2025, so we\u2019re close to the end of the massive Polynesian\u2019s excellent Tampa tenure.<\/p>\n The 334-pound Elijah Simmons played well as a rookie two-down run stuffer, so the team might have something with him, but it\u2019s probably best not to bet on that exclusively. Hutmacher and Jones are just futures contract camp bodies.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, this is a shallow defensive line class in the way the Bucs traditionally view the position. Threading the needle on value vs. need will be tricky, but don\u2019t surprised if they pull the trigger on someone who aligns with that ideal.<\/p>\n In Round 1, Auburn\u2019s Keldric Faulk needs to be considered. Florida\u2019s Caleb Banks was probably in that conversation as well, but he has a persistent history with foot injuries that culminated in him breaking his foot right before the Scouting Combine. That feels unwise given the team\u2019s issues with its current first-round defensive tackle.<\/p>\n Day 2 names might include Georgia\u2019s Christen Miller or Ole Miss\u2019s Zxavian Harris. Day 3 prospects feature Missouri\u2019s Chris McClellan or Clemson\u2019s DeMonte Capehart.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n