Buccaneers Address Big Need in NFL Draft Expert's First 2026 Mock

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers address a key need in this first mock draft from Daniel Jeremiah.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) during the second half of the first round game | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quite a few needs in the 2026 NFL Draft. Depth has been scarce on both sides of the ball in 2025, but most Bucs fans and natural pundits would likely agree there's one side of the ball that needs a lot of help — defense.

The Bucs did a defense-heavy draft in 2025, using four of their six picks that year on defense. That being said, Tampa Bay still has a lot of need on that side of the ball, with the defensive line, edge rushing room and linebacker corps all looking for added pieces to make the defense more effective.

The NFL's Daniel Jeremiah, a noted draft expert, released his first mock draft of the year for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has the Bucs taking a vaunted edge rushing prospect from Texas A&M.

Daniel Jeremiah mocks Cashius Howell to Buccaneers

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts during first half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The Bucs pick 15th, and Jeremiah has them picking Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell.

"One of my favorite players to study, Howell plays 100 mph at all times and has the production to back it up (27 career sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss)," Jeremiah wrote.

Texas A&M has been known to field a lot of edge rushers with raw athleticism and not a lot of production, like Shemar Stewart or Nic Scourton from last year's draft class. Howell isn't like that, as he's been incredibly productive during his tenure with the Aggies — initially with Bowling Green before going to Texas A&M, Howell has netted 27 sacks in five seasons and finished his 2025 campaign with 11.5.

The Bucs could certainly use an edge rusher with the Haason Reddick experiment failing and rotational depth struggling to get pressure, and Howell could be an answer to that. The Bucs have had some trouble drafting and developing edge rushers, but Yaya Diaby had seven sacks in 2025 and could do even better with less attention focused on him, and the best way to do that would be to add another dynamic edge rusher on the other side.

Tampa Bay could address this need in free agency, too, but edge rusher is arguably the second-most important position in football behind the quarterback. If Jason Licht could get a great one in the draft, the Bucs' defense could be much improved in 2026.

READ MORE: Mike Evans Could Get Paid if He Returns to Buccaneers

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2025 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Former Bucs QB Calls Baker Mayfield ‘Dumb’ for Comments Against Kevin Stefanski

• Super Bowl Champion Loves New Hire For Buccaneers

• Bruce Arians Predicts If Buccaneers' Star Mike Evans Will Retire

• 5 Reasons Why the Buccaneers Should Re-Sign Jamel Dean