The Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed several needs during the 2026 NFL Draft, but one question continues to follow the roster even after those additions. As outlined by ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the biggest concern remains whether Tampa Bay did enough to improve its pass defense.
The Buccaneers made moves in that direction, starting with Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round to boost the pass rush. They also added Keionte Scott on Day 3, a player who can contribute in the slot and allow Jacob Parrish to compete for snaps on the outside alongside Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison.
Even with those additions, the concern remains about consistency and depth. Tampa Bay’s secondary struggled at times in 2025, particularly when injuries forced reserves into larger roles. Those issues surfaced at critical moments, including late-down breakdowns that consistently extended drives.
The Buccaneers allowed a 29.6 percent conversion rate on third-and-long passing situations last season, which ranked among the worst in the league.
Improving the pass rush should help, but the question remains whether the current secondary group can hold up over a full season. That answer will likely determine how far the defense can take a team that is otherwise built to compete.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What is the biggest question surrounding the Bucs post-draft?
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
