The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need time before they can accurately evaluate their 2026 NFL draft class, but early reviews suggest general manager Jason Licht may have added another strong collection of young talent.
Sports Illustrated re-ranked all 32 draft classes before training camp and placed Tampa Bay at No. 8, citing first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., fourth-round defensive back Keionte Scott, and third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst III as particularly promising additions.
Bain headlines the seven-player class after sliding to the Buccaneers with the 15th overall selection. Questions about his arm length followed him throughout the pre-draft process, but his collegiate production and relentless playing style made him one of the class’s most accomplished defenders.
The former Miami standout recorded 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss during his college career. He earned consensus All-America honors, was named the 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and led the nation with 83 quarterback hurries during his final season.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo predicted teams will regret allowing Bain to reach Tampa Bay, where coach Todd Bowles can deploy his power, explosiveness, and versatility throughout the defensive front. Scott could also compete for an early role after Tampa Bay selected him 116th overall. The former Miami defensive back brings physicality and positional flexibility to a secondary that needed another playmaker.
Hurst, selected 84th overall out of Georgia State, gives the Buccaneers a large vertical target with the ability to win contested passes downfield. Tampa Bay also added linebacker Josiah Trotter, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart, guard Billy Schrauth, and tight end Bauer Sharp.
Training camp will provide the first meaningful test, and none of the praise guarantees immediate production. Still, a top-eight ranking reflects the potential Tampa Bay added at several positions of need.
Bain carries the largest expectations, but Scott and Hurst could ultimately determine how successful the class becomes. If all three earn significant roles, the Buccaneers’ draft haul may look even better once the season begins.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs 2026 NFL Draft ranks among the best ahead of training camp
Reporting by Glenn Erby , Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Glenn Erby , Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
