The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the verge of contention. While they missed the playoffs last season, it is now up to general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to make sure they don't do that again in 2026.
They already have their work cut out for them after losing a pair of locker room leaders, one in Mike Evans on offense and one in Lavonte David on defense. The Buccaneers have one of the game's great young receivers in Emeka Egbuka, but replacing David will not be easy, but free agent signee Alex Anzalone will give it his best shot.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they have the 15th overall pick in the first round. The Bucs could use that pick to help replenish an offense that will no longer have Evans. Or, they could use it to strengthen their defense after losing a defensive leader like David.
Knowing the weaknesses of the Buccaneers, athleticNick Baumgardner projects Tampa Bay to select edge-rusher Keldrick Faulk out of Auburn. Baumgardner suggested the 6-foot-6, 276-pound prospect has "pretty wild potential."
“Faulk is 2025 first-rounder Mychal Williams without the injury history,” Baumgardner wrote. "One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk's potential (6 feet 6 inches and 276 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms) is quite wild. Todd Bowles can have fun with this selection."
Keeping with the theme, Faulk is viewed as a wild card with his draft projection, but he is expected to land anywhere from the top-15 to the end of the first. However, almost everyone agrees that he will hear his name called on the first night of the draft, possibly even by Tampa Bay.
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