CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco placed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 16 in his post-draft power rankings, positioning them squarely in the middle of the league.
The ranking reflects a team that improved, but not one that made a leap into contender status. Tampa Bay moved up three spots following the draft, with the focus centered on defensive upgrades rather than offensive changes.
Rueben Bain Jr. is the key addition driving that bump. He addresses a pass-rush group that lacked consistent disruption, stepping into a role where early snaps are expected. The current edge rotation still leans on Yaya Diaby as a starter, while the rest of the group remains rotational, leaving room for Bain to take on meaningful volume.
That placement at No. 16 says more about perception than production. The roster has improved, especially on defense, but questions around consistency and top-end impact keep Tampa Bay out of the league’s upper tier for now.
The margin between middle-of-the-pack and contender is thin. If the pass rush takes a step forward, the conversation around this team changes quickly.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Where are the Bucs in CBS Sports’ post-NFL Draft power rankings?
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
