Bucs get attached to a new SEC pass rusher in 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city that could be where the Bucs select the next star they add to their roster in hopes of righting the proverbial ship. Before next April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft. Thankfully, we now have some added context for players now that the scouting combine has come and gone.

The Draft Network's Jaime Eisner recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle, which has the team focusing on defense once again. He has the Bucs getting edge rusher help courtesy of Texas A&M's Cashius Howell. The Aggie defender has seen his stock cool off in recent weeks, but the explosiveness he brings to the edge position cannot be disputed.

Eisner explains the Howell pick, writing, "The Buccaneers need more juice in the pass-rushing department and they turn to Texas A&M's Cashius Howell with this pick. Yes, his arm length will be a major pre-draft talking point, but the pure production speaks for itself. He’s incredibly explosive off the snap, plays with a high motor, and has proven he can produce double-digit sacks at the college level.

" Howell would be introduced to the roster and immediately become a monumental presence in Todd Bowles' defense. He likes to apply pressure but the team has struggled in recent years due to the lack of pass rush. Howell fixes that the minute he hits the field in rookie minicamp.