Bucs' Edge Rusher Search in 2026 NFL Draft

0:00It's April 9th. This is NFL News Today, powered by AI Your Gridiron Update. I'm Corey with the story. The Buccaneers are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, desperate for an edger usher. Their outside linebacker spot has been weeks and Shaq Ferrets Achilles tear back in 2022. Past picks like Joe Trion, Shoyinka, and Logan Hall didn't pan out, so they're targeting that position hard with the 15th overall selection. This draft class is deep at edge, but Teva Bay picks in a spot where the elite guys usually go earlier. They need someone ready to contribute right away, not a project. General manager Jason Lickett will have plans A through Z depending on how the board falls. Fans and analysts are buzzing about dream picks like Texas Tech's David Bailey, the top pass rusher with explosive get off. But he's likely gone before 15, forcing a trade-up that's probably off the table. This realistic shot is Miami's Rubin Bane, Jr. sliding due to short arms, bringing strength

1:01and production. Other first round names like Cash's Howl, Akeem Mesodore, and Keldrick Falk have upside but red flags from age to inconsistency against the run. Day 2 offers better value with Illinois's gay jokas for stout run defense or Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas as a pure third down nightmare. If they miss early, Central Michigan's Michael Helpman could be a late round steal after his breakout sacks last year. Either way, the Bucks have options to rebuild that edge rush and get back to pressure in quarterbacks.