With promising rookies and veteran questions, the Buccaneers' defensive end depth remains a strategic puzzle. Will they make another impactful addition?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their No. 1 draft pick to address a position many feel was their biggest need.
When a player like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who was projected to go in the top 10, falls to No. 15, it’s hard for a team to pass him up regardless of what position he plays.
Since Bain played at a position of need, drafting him went from a temptation to a no-brainer.
Last season, the Bucs didn't have pass rushing depth behind YaYa Diaby, who finished the year with a respectable seven sacks. The Haason Reddick signing didn't work out (2.5 sacks) and no other edge had more than two.
Meanwhile, Al-Quadin Muhammed had 11 for the Detroit Lions in 2025, and the Bucs signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal. A little more than a month later, Tampa drafted Bain, and the question now becomes, will the Bucs further add to the position group?
In a recent interview, Bucs general manager Jason Licht brushed off the idea of adding New Orleans Saints legend Cam Jordan and said he was happy with how the position group looks as it stands. But depth is never a bad thing.
Although Muhammed put up double-digit sacks in 2025, he didn't start a game for the Lions, so it's fair to wonder if he'd be capable of doing that in Tampa Bay.
Bain is a rookie, so he hasn't started an NFL game ever, making Diaby the only established starter in Tampa's DE room. It's May now, which means it would be difficult for the Bucs to sign a difference-maker in free agency. But it might be more realistic to sign a rotational veteran.
Joey Bosa has been kicked around as a potential option for the Bucs for months, and he still hasn't been signed. It's true that Bosa, who will be 31 in July, doesn't produce like he used to (four double-digit sack seasons between 2016-2021).
Bosa has a significant injury history, which includes numerous documented concussions and resulting mental health issues, the 30-year-old has been fairly healthy and productive the last two seasons. In 2024, he played 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers and picked up five sacks.
This past season, Bosa played in 15 games with the Buffalo Bills and had five more sacks.
Spotrac has Bosa’s market value at roughly $13.7 million over two seasons.
Given that Tampa isn’t known to sign outside free agents to multi-year deals, it seems that the only realistic way for the Bucs to get Bosa would be for a one-year contract.
It’s conceivable to think that the later it gets in the process, the cheaper Bosa will be, so if the Bucs want him, there’s a good chance they could have him.
The last time Tampa signed a veteran edge to a one-year deal before 2026 was Haason Redddick, and that signing (2.5 sacks) didn’t turn out the way Tampa wanted.
It remains to be seen weather that experience will deter Tampa from getting a guy like Bosa.
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