The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has some work to do. Despite adding new talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, Bleacher Report recently ranked them just No. 22 in the league—a reminder that this unit is still very much a work in progress.

The biggest storyline? Life without Lavonte David. For the first time in over a decade, the Bucs will take the field without the legendary linebacker anchoring the middle. To fill the void, Tampa Bay brought in veteran Alex Anzalone and depth piece Christian Rozeboom, while also drafting rookie Josiah Trotter. But the concerns are real: Anzalone is entering the twilight of his career, Rozeboom has mostly been a special teams contributor, and Trotter still needs to prove he can handle NFL-level coverage responsibilities.

Up front, the picture is a bit brighter. Vita Vea and A'Shawn Robinson form a solid interior, but the real pressure falls on the edge. After a 2025 season where the Bucs managed just 37 sacks, rookie Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to step in immediately opposite Yaya Diaby. That's a lot to ask from a first-year player.

The secondary also raises red flags. With Jamel Dean gone, cornerback depth is thin—and that's a problem for a team that finished near the bottom of the league against the pass last season. Consistency and coverage skills will need to improve fast.

In short, the Bucs defense still has some strong building blocks, but several key areas need to click quickly. Especially with a rookie edge rusher being counted on from Day 1, this is a unit that could go either way in 2026.