The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the offseason with multiple position groups that need to be addressed, but the consensus is that the team’s defense is in worse shape, which could influence their strategy in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah recently projected the Buccaneers to focus on bolstering their defense in his latest mock draft, selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell with the 15th overall pick.
“One of my favorite players to study, Howell plays 100 mph at all times and has the production to back it up (27 career sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss),” wrote Jeremiah.
GettyCashius Howell celebrates recording a sack.
A Deeper Look at Cashius Howell
Howell had an impressive 2025 campaign, showing a strong ability to reach the quarterback, recording 11.5 sacks last season, according to ESPN.
With all the sacks he has accumulated in his collegiate career, his greatest strength is creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something Tampa Bay could definitely use.
âHowell is high energy and recorded 75 pressures over his two seasons as an Aggie, along with 51 hurries and 43 stops. Pro Football Focus gave him a 90 plus pass rushing grade in each of his last three seasons,â wrote Nick Falato of Sports Illustrated.
There is no doubt that Tampa Bayâs defense could benefit from another player who can consistently rush the passer, as the Buccaneers recorded 37 total sacks this past season, ranking 19th in the NFL, according to StatMuse.
Having a strong pass rush makes life much easier for a defense as a whole, and Howell is considered one of the best at doing so in the 2026 draft.
The 2025 unanimous All-American explodes off the edge and consistently mixes up his pass rush moves to challenge blockers.
GettyHowell is one of the best pass rushers entering the 2026 draft.
The Case to Draft Defense at Pick 15
There have been several mock drafts linking Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq to Tampa Bay at pick 15, as the team could benefit from a player of his caliber and upside at the position. However, the Buccaneers offense already features reliable pieces that have shown promise.
On the other hand, the defense has more unanswered questions, especially with longtime star linebacker Lavonte David expected by many around the league to retire.
During the 2025 regular season, the Buccaneers defense took a step back, allowing 24.2 points per game, which ranked 20th overall in the NFL, according to Fox Sports.
For a team looking to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time since 2019, improving a below average defense by drafting a strong defensive prospect must be a serious consideration.
Adding a player like Howell would provide an immediate boost, but Tampa Bay could also address the defense at pick 15 by selecting a player such as Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, who could help fill the void at the position if David does retire.
GettyLB Sonny Styles has been linked to Tampa Bay at pick 15 in multiple mock drafts.
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