While the Buccaneers’ offense received a few tweaks this offseason, the defense came just short of an overhaul. The linebacker room will be without Lavonte David for the first time in nearly 15 seasons, and the longtime cornerback Jamel Dean departed for Pittsburgh.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which the defense ranked 17th in EPA per play allowed, the entire defense was in line for an upgrade.
Still, the Bucs were not big spenders in free agency, making a few small value signings led by Alex Anzalone and A’Shawn Robinson. Their biggest move of the offseason was landing Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. in the 2026 NFL Draft, a move few expected would even be possible going into April. As the most prolific pass-rusher in this year’s rookie class, Bain has the opportunity to change the fortunes of the entire defense.
Aside from these additions, the Bucs addressed depth more so than their starting positions. Last season’s injuries played a role in this offseason strategy, as did the woeful performance of their special teams. Tampa Bay’s 2026 defensive roster will be better stocked with veterans and players with special teams value.
Here is are the Bucs’ defensive depth chart predictions going into the 2026 season.
Defensive line
Tampa Bay traditionally goes into the season with six defensive linemen, and with the veteran additions, it looks to be the deepest it has been in years. Robinson and Nunez-Roches are major upgrades to the line’s depth. Their presence will diminish the Bucs’ reliance on a high snap load from Vita Vea to keep the front effective. Rookie DeMonte Capeheart brings some upside, but he may not see many snaps in this now-loaded defensive line.
Outside linebacker
Similarly, the Bucs spent the offseason beefing up their edge rush rotation. They got the steal of the draft when they took Bain Jr. with the 15th-overall pick. He will undoubtedly see a large share of snaps early across from defensive leader Yaya Diaby. The addition of former Lions pass-rusher Muhammed Al-Quadin will also take pressure off Diaby and the rest of Tampa Bay’s returning edge rushers.
The biggest question mark in the group is former second-round pick Chris Braswell, who has been a disappointment for Tampa Bay since he was drafted in 2024. While the Bucs often carry six outside linebackers going into the season, Braswell may become a roster casualty if there is a surprise breakout in the preseason or if a high-value waiver target becomes available.
Inside linebacker
Even before Lavonte David’s retirement, the Bucs’ inside linebacker room was in dire need of a makeover. SirVocea Dennis proved last season that he simply lacks the athleticism to start in the NFL. Former Lions LB Alex Anzalone is an automatic upgrade to Tampa Bay’s pass defense, while rookie Josiah Trotter will be a weapon near the line of scrimmage. Dennis and Christian Rozeboom are fine as backups and should be assets to the Bucs’ special teams.
Cornerback
No position group on Tampa Bay’s roster carries as many question marks in 2026 as the cornerbacks. Zyon McCollum begins the first year of a three-year, $48 million extension, but has yet to put together a complete season proving that he can be Tampa Bay’s top corner. While Benjamin Morrison was drafted ahead of Jacob Parrish last season, it was Parrish who looked more comfortable both in his intended position, manning the nickel, and when pressed into playing outside cornerback.
2026 fourth-rounder Keionte Scott may not threaten for many coverage snaps, but he may still be Todd Bowles’ favorite new toy. Scott is an excellent blitzer and plays the line of scrimmage like a linebacker. At the moment, veteran additions Kemon Hall and Chase Lucas are slated to make the roster due to their special teams value, but the uncertainty with the cornerback room could see the Bucs make additions from training camp to post-cut waivers.
Safety
The Bucs would like to see more from their starting safety duo, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith, but there is no question that they are the cornerstones of the secondary. Pending a clean bill of health, last year’s training camp standout JJ Roberts will look to pick up where he left off and become the primary backup to Winfield Jr. and Smith. Veteran Miles Killebrew comes over from Pittsburgh along with special teams coordinator Danny Smith, filling the same special teams ace role he had with the Steelers.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs projected defensive depth chart going into training camp
Reporting by Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
