Veteran additions and a terrific rookie class spearhead a major defensive overhaul, making a return to dominance possible for Tampa Bay’s once-vaunted defense.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went to great lengths this offseason to fix a defense that didn't live up to the team's standards last year.
During free agency, the Bucs brought in linebacker Alex Anzalone, edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson to restore the defense's edginess and the nastiness it has recently lacked.
Anzalone, in particular, will be tasked with replacing legendary Bucs' linebacker Lavonte David, who retired in March after 14 seasons in Tampa.
The Bucs also heavily invested in their defense during the 2026 NFL Draft, with prized rookie Rueben Bain Jr. possibly being the most consequential addition the team has made. Linebacker Josiah Trotter and cornerback Keionte Scott are two additional rookies poised for significant roles this year.
However, despite the improvements, Tampa's defense has been notably absent from top-10 rankings for the upcoming season.
Until now.
In his recent rankings of the NFL's top defenses for 2026, Dan Wilkins of theScore placed the Bucs' defense ninth, clearly a result of the team's dedication to revamping the entire unit.
Will The Rookies Deliver?
Wilkins admits he may be overly bullish on Tampa's impressive crop of rookie defenders, but believes that Bain can be a true difference-maker immediately. He also notes that Tampa hasn't had a top-10 defense in terms of DVOA since 2021, and will require a significant jump to hit that mark this season.
"This one can probably be considered a bit of a long shot based on the way things have gone for the Buccaneers of late. Tampa Bay hasn't fielded a top-10 defensive DVOA unit since 2021, with a lack of pass-rush juice representing the primary obstacle.
"Perhaps I'm putting too much stock in rookies when it comes to the Bucs' chances of solving their issues - how often do a few first-year players really transform a middling defense? Yet with this class, I'm inclined to believe it, which underscores just how much I love the additions of Rueben Bain Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter.
"Bain never should've been available to the Bucs at No. 15 overall. Arm length be damned, he was the best edge defender in this class. I think he's an instant impact player from Day 1, continuing Tampa Bay's recent run of draft-day mastery. Trotter is an equally strong fit as an off-ball linebacker in this defense. He'll be a hammer in the run game, and he's got the pass-rush skills to be a difference-maker as a blitzer coming from the second level. Speaking of those pressure packages, don't be surprised if fourth-round corner Keionte Scott forces his way onto the field, too. His aggressiveness as a blitzer out of the slot makes him a dream fit in a Todd Bowles defense.
"Again, I may be overstating the potential for immediate impact from a collection of first-year players. But if this rookie class fits in the way I expect and Tampa Bay gets Year 2 leaps from cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, then I think this defense could finally be back in business."
Improvement Will Come From More Than Rookies
Wilkins may be right about being too hopeful about the impact the new draftees will have, but Tampa should see improvement from more than just the rookies.
As he mentions, the Bucs will hopefully see a Year 2 jump from cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, who is already feeling the pressure to succeed.
What Wilkins fails to mention, however, is the impact a healthy Calijah Kancey will have on the defense. Kancey was thought of as one of the best young defensive tackles in the league before a torn pec cost him almost all of the 2025 season.
Tampa should also be able to take full advantage of Antoine Winfield Jr.'s strengths this season. Winfield's best attribute is his versatility, which makes him one of the best safeties in the NFL. The Bucs' defensive struggles last season forced Winfield into often having to cover for his teammates, which took away his ability to do what he does best: line up all over the field and make plays.
Final Thoughts
The combination of Tampa's stellar draft class, internal improvements, and aggressive moves in free agency gives the Bucs' defense the talent necessary to field a top-10 unit this season.
They will have to put it all together on the field, however, and Bowles was not able to get his players to play to their talent level last year. The Bucs' coaches need to improve as much, if not more, than their players.
If that happens, Tampa could have one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2026 and possibly even outperform Wilkins' ninth-place ranking.
For a long time, the Bucs had a reputation for having fierce defenses that struck fear into opposing offenses. They have not lived up to that reputation for years.
This could be the season they do.
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