Scott Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For 2026

Scott Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2026 Offseason

With or without star wide receiver Mike Evans, Tampa Bay has a Super Bowl-caliber offense, but Todd Bowles’ defense needs some serious upgrades, especially along the front seven. Once again, I’m here to disappoint Tampa Bay fans with my Bucs Battle Plan.

I try to keep my Bucs Battle Plans as realistic as possible, and as close to what I think the Bucs might actually do in free agency and the draft. Other Pewter Reporters typically have more crowd-pleasing ideas about how to remake the roster, and that is their prerogative. We try to avoid group-think here at Pewter Report.

Jason Licht is typically not too bold when it comes to trades, especially for veteran players. So I’m going to stick with that premise – and that means no trade for Maxx Crosby, unfortunately. However, I am going to be more aggressive in trades when it comes to the draft, just as Licht was in 2018 when he traded down a few spots to get defensive tackle Vita Vea and wound up with three second-round picks that year.

I think the chances of Evans returning to Tampa Bay are less than 50%, so unfortunately I have him moving on in my Bucs Battle Plan. I believe he wants to play elsewhere in 2026. I think there is a better chance that linebacker Lavonte David could return for a 15th season in red and pewter, but I turn the page on the 36-year old linebacker, opting instead for younger, faster players at the position.

My offseason focus will be on defense, but I come away with a few surprises on offense in my draft – thanks to extra picks I acquire from trading down multiple times.

Bucs Contract Restructures

The Bucs currently have less than $20 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, and Tampa Bay has about $50 million in cash to spend in free agency this year. So I’ll need some more salary cap room. I’ll go to these two Buccaneers for some contract restructures first to create the additional $33.731 million in cap space I’ll need.

LT Tristan Wirfs – $18.525 million with no new void years
RT Luke Goedeke – $15.206 million with no new void years

Bucs Cuts

None – The Bucs don’t have any players I need to cut in order to create more salary cap space.

Bucs Trades

Trade OLB Chris Braswell For Raiders’ Fifth-Round Pick In 2027 – I’m giving up on Braswell, a former second-round pick, and trading him to Las Vegas for a fifth-round in next year’s draft. Raiders G.M. John Spytek was a big proponent for drafting Braswell in 2024, so he can have him and try to develop him. Spytek wants to keep all of the Raiders draft picks for this year, so I’ll take a fifth-round pick next year. I just want to free up the roster spot and spot on the depth chart with Braswell’s exit.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Sterling Shepard – 1 year, $1.7 million

Shepard gets a bit of a raise over the $1.5 million he made last year. He is a “glue guy” – both in the wide receiver room and also in the locker room where he was a great mentor for rookie receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson. Shepard’s veteran presence can continue to help Baker Mayfield and the receiver room with Mike Evans’ departure this offseason.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

WR Mike Evans
ILB Lavonte David
OLB Haason Reddick
CB Jamel Dean
DT Logan Hall
TE Cade Otton
RB Rachaad White
DT Greg Gaines
OT Charlie Heck
CB Kindle Vildor
OL Mike Jordan
ILB Deion Jones
ILB Anthony Walker Jr.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
S J.T. Gray
OLB Markees Watts (ERFA)
OT Tyler McLellan (ERFA)

Restricted/Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

RB Sean Tucker – 1 year, $2.25 million

The first right of refusal tender for Tucker, a restricted free agent, is $3.52 million, which is more than the Bucs want to pay for a backup running back. Tucker comes back at more than double his 2025 salary of $900,000.

DB Christian Izien – 1 year, $2.25 million

Izien made just over $901,000 last year, and like Sean Tucker, the team doesn’t want to pay a backup defensive back $3.52 million. So look for a similar deal that Tucker gets – one year at $2.25 million, which is a nice raise.

OL Dan Feeney – 1 year, $1.35 million

I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Feeney, but he fit in well with the offensive line room and Baker Mayfield loves him. I’ll bring him to training camp to compete for a depth role, but there’s no guarantee he makes the 53-man roster.

TE Ko Kieft – 1 year, $1.1 million

Kieft is a quality special teams player and a good blocker. I’m not sure he makes the 53-man roster after the tight ends I select in the draft, but I’ll bring him to training camp to compete.

QB Connor Bazelak – 2 years, $1.9 million

Bazelak beat out Kyle Trask last year for the No. 3 QB role. He gets rewarded for that and comes back to compete for a backup job again at just under $1 million per season.

LS Eric Deckers – 2 years, $1.9 million

The Bucs re-sign their long snapper for two more years at just under $1 million per season.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

ILB Devin Bush – 3 years, $36 million

Bush is coming off a sensational season in Cleveland, where he was Pro Football Focus’ fourth-best linebacker (87.6) and fourth-best coverage linebacker (80.4). The 5-foot-11, 234-pound linebacker also ranked eighth versus the run (87.3) and finished with a career-high 127 tackles and two sacks. He also secured three interceptions last year, returning two for touchdowns, along with eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Bush, who turns 28 in July, supplants SirVocea Dennis as a starter.

OLB Joey Bosa – 1 year, $11 million

New defensive line coach Marcus West gives the Bucs the thumbs up on Bosa, whom he coached last year in Buffalo. Todd Bowles wants to get bigger up front, and at 6-5, 269 pounds, Bosa is about 30 pounds heavier than Haason Reddick. Bosa earned a 79.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the 17h-best edge rusher in the NFL in 2025. His 88.7 PFF pass rush grade ranked 7th among edge rushers as he finished with five sacks, five forced fumbles and 47 pressures.

CB Rasul Douglas – 1 year, $6.5 million

The Bucs are losing Jamel Dean in free agency and letting veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor walk. Douglas has great size to play outside at 6-foot-2, 209 pounds. He ranked 20th among cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (73.6) last year, and has recorded a combined 10 or more pass breakups and interceptions in three of the past four seasons. Douglas will compete with Benjamin Morrison for the starting cornerback spot and will be a key veteran reserve if he doesn’t win the job.

LB Quincy Williams – 1-year, $4 million

Williams had an All-Pro season for the Jets in 2023 and a stretch where he had four straight seasons with 100-plus tackles until he missed four games in 2025 with a shoulder injury. At 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, Williams is best suited to play weakside linebacker – known as the Moneybacker role in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Williams turns 30 in August and will replace Lavonte David, bringing sub-4.6 speed and the ability to blitz (12.5 career sacks) and cover to Tampa Bay.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo – 1-year, $3 million

Garoppolo is an experienced veteran quarterback who replaces Teddy Bridgewater as Baker Mayfield’s backup. The fact he spent last year in Los Angeles in the Sean McVay system is a plus and makes for a smooth transition to Zac Robinson’s offense in Tampa Bay.

Reynolds’ 2026 Bucs Draft Picks

The Bucs have all of their original draft picks, and I make a few trades during the draft to move down in the first round, second round and sixth round to acquire two more draft picks in total. I spend five draft picks on the front seven on defense, doubling at defensive tackle and inside linebacker. I also double up at tight end.

I trade the 15th overall pick to Philadelphia for the 23rd overall pick and the Eagles’ second-rounder (No. 54). In the second round, I trade No. 54 overall and the Bucs’ fifth-round pick (No. 153) to the Rams for picks No. 61 overall in the second round and a third-rounder (No. 93 overall). Then, I trade pick Tampa Bay’s sixth-round pick (No. 194) to Green Bay for a sixth-rounder (No. 200) and a seventh-rounder (No. 254).

ROUND 1 (No. 23) – Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter

The Bucs need to shore up the defensive tackle position with the departure of Logan Hall, Vita Vea entering a contract year at age 31, and Calijah Kancey’s penchant for getting injured. The depth at defensive tackle isn’t as great as it is at inside linebacker or outside linebacker. Hunter is a strong, agile defensive tackle that can play the three-tech, nose and 4i defensive end position in Todd Bowles’ scheme. He’s a backfield penetrator like Kancey – only with a 6-foot-4, 318-pound frame.

ROUND 2 (No. 46) – Texas Tech ILB Jacob Rodriguez

The Bucs may have to trade up to get Rodriguez, who is a big play waiting to happen at middle linebacker. The tape shows that he’s a tough, smart, instinctive linebacker with a penchant for creating takeaways (13 forced fumbles, six interceptions, five fumble recoveries and two defensive TDs). The Combine showed that the 6-foot-1, 233 pound Rodriguez is an incredible athlete (4.57 4o-time). Rodriguez is capable of playing either the Mike or the Mo ‘backer spots in Todd Bowles’ defense. He’ll make an instant impact as a rookie starter.

ROUND 2 (No. 61) – Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price

Price has been getting some big-time buzz since he ran a 4.49 at the Combine at 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, and he may not be here this late in the second round. If he is, Tampa Bay may take a flier on him to replace Rashaad White in the backfield. He doesn’t have the third down value that White has, but Bucky Irving should see increased usage there instead. What Price can bring is one-cut explosiveness, breakaway speed and kickoff return ability, as he returned three for touchdowns at Notre Dame. Tucker will be signed to a one-year deal and Irving is already entering his third season in Tampa Bay.

ROUND 3 (No. 77) – Iowa OL Gennings Dunker

Dunker played at a Iowa, has a mullet and is a ginger. Consider Jason Licht intrigued. I’m intrigued, too. The 6-foot-5, 319-pound Dunker plays football with a physical, tone-setting, throwback attitude. He played right tackle for the Hawkeyes, but will kick inside to guard to either eventually replace Ben Bredeson on the left side next to Tristan Wirfs or replace Cody Mauch at right guard if Mauch isn’t re-signed in free agency in 2027. Plus, he could play right tackle in pinch, which increases his value to Tampa Bay.

ROUND 3 (No. 93) – Florida State DT Darrell Jackson

Even though the Bucs drafted Lee Hunter in the first round and already have two other first-round defensive tackles on the roster in Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea, selecting Jackson gives Tampa Bay another big, physical tackle capable of playing nose and eventually replace Vea in time, or 4i defensive end to replace Logan Hall immediately. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Jackson has an enormous 72-inch wingspan and gigantic, strong hands to help control gaps and shut down interior running lanes.

ROUND 4 (No. 116) – Western Michigan OLB Nadame Tucker

The Bucs have high hopes for David Walker, last year’s fourth-round pick, and I think he could rotate in with Joey Bosa and provide some pass rush juice on late downs and obvious passing downs with Bosa playing primarily on early downs. Drafting the 6-foot-2, 247-pound Tucker, a twitchy, undersized speed rusher off the edge will also help Tampa Bay’s pass rush. Tucker can be used as a designated pass rusher bring far more quickness and juice off the edge than Anthony Nelson or Chris Braswell can. Plus Tucker’s feisty demeanor will also show up on special teams, too.

ROUND 6 (No. 200) – Georgia TE Oscar Delp

If the Bucs don’t re-sign Cade Otton, they’ll need to add a starting-caliber tight end to the roster. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Delp was a dogged run blocker at Georgia and used his sneaky speed to win one-on-one battles with linebackers and safeties in the passing game. Delp may not start right away, as he needs to add some strength, but he could mix in with Payne Durham as a rookie and eventually elevate the tight end position with his skillset.

ROUND 7 (No. 229) – Clemson ILB Wade Woodaz

I’m a little biased here, as I coached Woodaz for four years with the South Pasco Predators Pop Warner football team where he played everything from cornerback to safety to defensive end for my defense. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound Woodaz was a multi-year starter at Clemson where he recorded nine sacks, 11 pass breakups, three picks and forced four fumbles playing in the box and in the slot due to his range and coverage ability. Woodaz, who won a state championship at Jesuit High School with Troy Bowles, Todd’s son, would be a development linebacker who would also star on special teams as a rookie.

ROUND 7 (No. 254) – Ohio State TE Will Kacmarek

Tampa Bay has double-dipped at defensive tackle, inside linebacker and tight end in this draft with the selection of Kacmarek, who was the No. 2 tight end at Ohio State behind Max Klare. Kacmarek plays with an edge in the run game as a nasty blocker and could eventually replace Payne Durham in that role. While I’ve re-signed Ko Kieft, Kacmarek brings just as much value on special teams and he edges Kieft for a roster spot due to his increased value as a receiver.

Reynolds’ “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection

QUARTERBACKS – 2

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Analysis: The Bucs enter the season with Baker Mayfield in a contract year, which should bring out the best in the 31-year old quarterback, and a proven backup in Jimmy Garoppolo, who is fresh off a season in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Sean McVay. Connor Bazelak returns at QB3 on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS – 4

RB Bucky Irving
RB Jadarian Price
RB Sean Tucker
RB Josh Williams

Analysis: Bucky Irving begins the season as the starter and needs a bounce-back year. Jadarian Price was drafted to replace Rachaad White, and he and Sean Tucker will battle for backup duties and both bring speed and instant acceleration to the running back room. Price and Josh Williams will duel for kick return duties.

TIGHT ENDS – 4

TE Oscar Delp
TE Payne Durham
TE Will Kacmarek
TE Devin Culp

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s tight end room is remade with the drafting of Oscar Delp and Will Kacmarek this year on Day 3. Both bring good technique and punch as blockers with Delp being a more dynamic pass catcher than Cade Otton was. Kacmarek edges Ko Kieft for a roster spot, while Devin Culp returns as a developmental receiver.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

WR Emeka Egbuka
WR Chris Godwin Jr.
WR Jalen McMillan
WR Tez Johnson
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Kam Johnson

Analysis: The Bucs lose Mike Evans in free agency, but should have enough weapons for Zac Robinson to deploy for Baker Mayfield. Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, who will replace Evans as the X (split end) receiver, are a dynamic 1-2 punch outside with Chris Godwin Jr. needing to have a big year as the slot receiver. Tez Johnson, Kam Johnson and veteran Sterling Shepard are all quality reserves.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 9

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Ben Chukwuma
OL Gennings Dunker
OL Luke Haggard
OL Elijah Klein

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s offensive line is the best in the league when healthy. Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke are stud offensive tackles and it’s a big season for right guard Cody Mauch, who is entering a contract year coming off knee surgery. Ben Chukwuma is an ace swing tackle for the Bucs, and third-round pick Gennings Dunker adds starting-caliber depth at guard along with holdovers Luke Haggard and Elijah Klein.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

DT Vita Vea
DT Calijah Kancey
DT Lee Hunter
DT Darrell Jackson
DT Elijah Roberts
DT Jayson Jones

Analysis: The Bucs add two new defensive tackles via the draft in Lee Hunter and Darrell Jackson, who bring size, strength and run-stopping ability to the D-line. Calijah Kancey must prove that he can stay healthy this season, and Vita Vea is now 31 and entering a contract year. That’s why adding Hunter and Jackson this year is so important for current depth as well as the future at the position. Elijah Roberts and Jayson Jones are young, developmental defensive tackles with big upsides.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

ILB Devin Bush
ILB Jacob Rodriguez
ILB Quincy Williams
ILB SirVocea Dennis
ILB Wade Woodaz

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s inside linebacker room is remade with two new starting-caliber linebackers via free agency in Devin Bush and Quincy Williams, in addition to another starting-caliber ‘backer in Jacob Rodriguez. SirVocea Dennis is entering a big contract year and may be relegated to special teams. Wade Woodaz is a very good athlete and developmental linebacker prospect with fantastic special teams ability.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

OLB Joey Bosa
OLB Yaya Diaby
OLB David Walker
OLB Nadame Tucker
OLB Anthony Nelson

Analysis: The Bucs add a proven pass rusher in Joey Bosa to team with Yaya Diaby. The team hopes Bosa’s experience and professionalism rubs off on the young outside linebacker room. David Walker ascends to the OLB3 role and brings some real pass rush potential. Nadame Tucker is added via the draft to give Todd Bowles a designated pass rush specialist to affect the quarterback, while steady Eddie Anthony Nelson returns to bring size and edge-setting ability in the run game.

CORNERBACKS – 5

CB Zyon McCollum
CB Benjamin Morrison
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Rasul Douglas
CB Josh Hayes

Analysis: The Bucs invested heavily in the cornerback position in last year’s draft with the selections of Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish on Day 2. So they have to forego any more draft picks at the position this year. Tampa Bay needs Zyon McCollum to step up and play like the No. 1 cornerback he was paid to be, and for Morrison to step in as a starter in place of Jamel Dean with Parrish continuing to man the slot in nickel defense. Newcomer Rasul Douglas brings size and speed and will compete with Morrison outside, while Josh Hayes continues to excel on special teams.

SAFETIES – 4

SS Tykee Smith
FS Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Christian Izien
S JJ Roberts

Analysis: Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are two play-making starting safeties that bring instincts and toughness to the secondary. The Bucs re-sign Izien to team with J.J. Roberts as a backup safety and nickelback option. Both bring the position flexibility that Todd Bowles loves.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Riley Dixon
LS Eric Deckers

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s special teams specialists return intact for another season. Hopefully new coordinator Danny Smith can turn the entire special teams unit around in 2026.

Scott Reynolds’ Favorite Rugged Pirate Beard Co. Scent

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My favorite scent (so far) is Blackbeard: a bold, commanding beard oil inspired by dark legend, worn leather, and the unmistakable presence of a feared captain. Handcrafted in small batches in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, this premium beard oil is formulated to condition, soften, and nourish the beard while delivering a rich, long-lasting scent experience.

Built around smooth tobacco, warm vanilla, and sweet leather, it strikes a balance between rugged authority and refined depth. Ideal for daily wear, cooler weather, and those who prefer their beard care powerful, smooth, and unmistakably masculine.

What Do You Think Of Scott Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan?

Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan? Which player acquisitions did you like the most? What changes would you’ve made if you were in charge of Tampa Bay’s free agent signings and draft picks? Sound off below in the article comments!