TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers delivered a mixed and at times puzzling performance in the 2026 NFL draft, earning a “C” grade from EasySportz’s in-house NFL analyst in its team-by-team evaluation.
Tampa Bay opened with edge rusher Rueben Bain in the first round, a solid foundational pick, then added linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second and offensive lineman Ted Hurst in the third, addressing key needs but without clear impact value.
The Buccaneers continued with defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth and defensive lineman Demonte Capehart in the fifth, followed by offensive lineman Billy Schrauth in the fifth and tight end Bauer Sharp in the sixth to round out the class.
EasySportz’s analyst noted the class lacked cohesion and upside, with the front office appearing to chase needs without maximizing value. The report pointed to Bain as a quality selection but questioned several mid-round decisions that failed to stand out compared to other teams.
National evaluations reflected similar concerns, with analysts citing inconsistent strategy and limited high-end talent despite a full slate of picks.
Overall, the Buccaneers’ draft was viewed as serviceable but underwhelming — and a reminder that simply filling needs does not always equal building effectively — reflected in the analyst’s C grade.
