WaltNFL Team Assessment: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team record, game log, power ranking, schedule, needs, draft grade, and draft pick links.
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The 2025 NFL Season – Team Record and Game Log
Season Review
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
View Game Log from 2025 Season
| Game | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers(0-0) at Falcons(0-0) | WIN | Buccaneers 23 – Falcons 20 |
| Buccaneers(1-0) at Texans(0-1) | WIN | Buccaneers 20 – Texans 19 |
| Jets(0-2) at Buccaneers(2-0) | WIN | Jets 27 – Buccaneers 29 |
| Eagles(3-0) at Buccaneers(3-0) | LOSS | Eagles 31 – Buccaneers 25 |
| Buccaneers(3-1) at Seahawks(3-1) | WIN | Buccaneers 38 – Seahawks 35 |
| 49ers(4-1) at Buccaneers(4-1) | WIN | 49ers 19 – Buccaneers 30 |
| Buccaneers(5-1) at Lions(4-2) | LOSS | Buccaneers 9 – Lions 24 |
| Buccaneers(5-2) at Saints(1-6) | WIN | Buccaneers 23 – Saints 3 |
| Patriots(7-2) at Buccaneers(6-2) | LOSS | Patriots 28 – Buccaneers 23 |
| Buccaneers(6-3) at Bills(6-3) | LOSS | Buccaneers 32 – Bills 44 |
| Buccaneers(6-4) at Rams(8-2) | LOSS | Buccaneers 7 – Rams 34 |
| Cardinals(3-8) at Buccaneers(6-5) | WIN | Cardinals 17 – Buccaneers 20 |
| Saints(3-9) at Buccaneers(7-5) | LOSS | Saints 24 – Buccaneers 20 |
| Falcons(4-9) at Buccaneers(7-6) | LOSS | Falcons 29 – Buccaneers 28 |
| Buccaneers(7-7) at Panthers(7-7) | LOSS | Buccaneers 20 – Panthers 23 |
| Buccaneers(7-8) at Dolphins(6-9) | LOSS | Buccaneers 17 – Dolphins 20 |
| Panthers(8-8) at Buccaneers(7-9) | WIN | Panthers 14 – Buccaneers 16 |
Walt’s Latest Buccaneers Power Ranking
Updated 5/13/2026
at 5:05 AM
Rank: 23
Previously: 24
The Buccaneers capsized at the end of last season, but that was because Baker Mayfield suffered an injury and was never healthy after that. However, Mike Evans and Jamel Dean are both gone. Tampa Bay didn’t really add any veterans this offseason.
2026 NFL Season – Upcoming Schedule
Schedule| Week | Opponent | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
@
Bengals
|
9/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 2 |
vs
Browns
|
9/20/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 3 |
vs
Vikings
|
9/27/2026 4:05:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 4 |
vs
Packers
|
10/4/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 5 |
@
Cowboys
|
10/8/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 6 |
vs
Steelers
|
10/18/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 7 |
@
Panthers
|
10/25/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 8 |
vs
Falcons
|
11/1/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 9 |
@
Bears
|
11/8/2026 8:20:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 11 |
@
Lions
|
11/22/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 12 |
vs
Panthers
|
11/30/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 13 |
vs
Chargers
|
12/6/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 14 |
@
Ravens
|
12/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 15 |
vs
Saints
|
12/20/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 16 |
@
Falcons
|
12/26/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 17 |
vs
Rams
|
1/2/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 18 |
@
Saints
|
1/9/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
Walt’s Team Needs Assessment
Needs
The Buccaneers began the season 6-2, but had a major collapse down the stretch. Health issues were the primary cause of that, but the Buccaneers also have some holes on their roster that they’ll need to address.
- Two Linebackers: Linebacker was a huge issue for the Buccaneers last year, thanks to Lavonte David finally regressing. Two new players are needed at the position. Signed Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom
- Edge Rusher: Yaya Diaby has emerged as a dangerous edge rusher, but Tampa Bay’s other young edge rushers have disappointed. The Buccaneers need some better pass rushers so they don’t have to blitz as often. Signed Al-Quadin Muhammad
- Defensive End: Logan Hall was taken atop the second round in 2022, but he hasn’t lived up to his draft status. An upgrade could be obtained on the defensive line.
- Cornerback: Jamel Dean is an impending free agent, so he’ll need to be re-signed or replaced, especially after last year’s great season.
- Tight End: Cade Otton has been productive at times, but he’s set to enter free agency.
- Guard: Ben Bredeson was a liability on Tampa Bay’s offensive front, although he’d make for a good, versatile backup.
- Punter: Riley Dixon ranked in the bottom 10 of net punting last year.
- 2026 NFL Team Needs: AFC South:
Walt’s 2026 NFL Draft – Overall Team Grade and Selection Grades
Draft Review
Walt’s Draft Grade:
A- Grade
Walt’s Grade Summary
There was a ton of buzz about the Buccaneers drafting Akheem Mesidor at No. 15 to improve their pass rush. I thought this was too rich for an old Mesidor. Luckily for the Buccaneers, Mesidor’s teammate, Rueben Bain, fell to them. Bain has short arms, but is likely to have a solid career. He was expected to go around No. 9, so the Buccaneers obtained a steal.
The opposite of that was Josiah Trotter in the second frame. Trotter fills a big need in the wake of David’s retirement, but he was chosen a round too early. The same could be said of third-rounder Ted Hurst.
Tampa Bay rebounded with some strong picks on Day 3. Both Keionte Scott and DeMonte Capehart went way later than they should have, and they both will bolster the defense. Another steal was fifth-rounder Billy Schrauth, who will provide a needed upgrade to the interior of the offensive line.
The Buccaneers had a strong draft. They had a couple of mishaps on Day 2, but otherwise came away with a strong group of players who will improve their roster.
The opposite of that was Josiah Trotter in the second frame. Trotter fills a big need in the wake of David’s retirement, but he was chosen a round too early. The same could be said of third-rounder Ted Hurst.
Tampa Bay rebounded with some strong picks on Day 3. Both Keionte Scott and DeMonte Capehart went way later than they should have, and they both will bolster the defense. Another steal was fifth-rounder Billy Schrauth, who will provide a needed upgrade to the interior of the offensive line.
The Buccaneers had a strong draft. They had a couple of mishaps on Day 2, but otherwise came away with a strong group of players who will improve their roster.
Draft Picks / Prospect Links
Pick 15
A
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
DE
Miami
Rnk: 10
Scouting Report
What an amazing value. Rueben Bain could have easily gone in the 7-10 range, and no one would have blinked an eye. Bain was dinged for short arms, but he’s a great player and should be able to be productive in the pros. The Buccaneers desperately needed an edge rusher, and they got the best one who’s been on the board since the fifth pick was made.
Pick 46
D
Josiah Trotter, ILB, Missouri
ILB
Missouri
Rnk: 226
The Buccaneers had C.J. Allen fall right into their lap, but they took a different linebacker instead. This one is a head-scratcher. Josiah Trotter is a third-round prospect because he has issues in coverage. He’s good in run support, but this is a reach.
Pick 84
B
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
WR
Georgia State
Rnk: 117
Scouting Report
I had Ted Hurst going a bit later than this. He’s a tall and lengthy receiver who fills a need, as Tampa Bay needed to find depth at receiver in the wake of Mike Evans’ departure.
Pick 116
A-
Keionte Scott, S, Miami
S
Miami
Rnk: 225
Cornerback makes sense for the Buccaneers, who needed to address the position even before they lost Jamel Dean. Keionte Scott is very instinctive, but missed a lot of tackles. I had him in the third round, so I don’t think this is a great bargain like others do, but this pick is still a decent value.
Pick 155
A
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
DT
Clemson
Rnk: 63
DeMonte Capehart is a massive defensive tackle with upside. I thought Capehart was a Round 3-4 guy, so to get him in the fifth round is a nice move by the Buccaneers.
Pick 160
A
Billy Schrauth, G, Notre Dame
G
Notre Dame
Rnk: 288
Billy Schrauth is great in pas protection, but he has an extensive injury history. The Buccaneers needed to strengthen their interior blocking, so if Schrauth can stay healthy, he could offer an upgrade sooner rather than later.
Pick 185
C
Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU
TE
LSU
Rnk: 383
Bauer Sharp is an atheltic tight end, but he’s a project. I didn’t have him in my top 400. I get the idea behind this selection, as the Buccaneers are swinging for the fences, which is fine.
Charlie Campbell
