The Bucs are honing in on the 2026 NFL Draft, as it is now just over a week away.
General manager Jason Licht hosted his annual pre-draft press conference on Wednesday, which will be heavily analyzed for clues like a crime scene. Licht is not one to answer directly, but understanding how he contextualizes his thoughts offers insight into which direction Tampa Bay could take on draft night and in the immediate aftermath of undrafted free agent signings.
As it relates to the secondary, he made interesting remarks about whether the team is done addressing the cornerback and safety positions.
Jason Licht Does Not Shy Away From Bucs Needing Another Cornerback
Jason Licht and the Bucs’ front office will have a lot of work next week to find the next wave of young players who will come in. Given that the organization has strongly adapted and lived by the “draft and develop” moniker, who Tampa Bay selects is critical in the team remaining competitive and taking it to the next level in 2026.
When it comes to cornerback, the position is in an interesting spot. Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison are projected to be the team’s starting outside corners, although each is fighting for their future to an extent.
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Regardless of whether or not McCollum and/or Morrison prove to be the answer, drafting another cornerback is one avenue to provide needed depth.
“We have the draft, we have — there are always players who get released after the draft or all the way into final cuts,” Licht said about addressing the position. “We feel like there are a lot of different avenues where we could look to add and supplement to that position.”
Outside of those two, the depth chart that follows them is led by Josh Hayes and recent additions Kemon Hall and Chase Lucas. Hall and Lucas were brought in for mainly their special teams chops, which is also Hayes’ calling card as he has struggled when pressed into action.
Now, one might ask: what about Jacob Parrish?
Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Parrish has the ability to play cornerback, but he is expected to once again get the bulk of his work as the team’s nickelback. Head coach Todd Bowles could always get creative and play another player at nickel, such as defensive back JJ Roberts.
That would bump Parrish outside, but in any case, the team has to round out the room and make it deeper. While the Bucs have attempted to upgrade and elevate the floor across the roster, one can argue that cornerback has been the biggest downgrade.
Gone is Jamel Dean, who had a career year and signed with the Steelers.
The team also lost veteran depth in Kindle Vildor and Bryce Hall, so that speaks to what Licht also mentioned about adding an experienced player from another team. Comparatively, the players brought in does not do nearly enough to mitigate the losses, and banking on two starters hitting their stride is a big risk that does not need to be completely taken.
Earlier in the offseason, I examined Rasul Douglas and Martin Emerson, two potential free agent fits who are still hanging out on the open market. Whether one of them is brought in or whether it is a player still employed elsewhere, something has to give.
The Bucs Are In A Better Spot At Safety, But Expect Them To “See What’s Out There”
When it comes to safety, the Bucs are in good hands.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and DB Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are locked in as starters and each has Pro Bowl potential, with the team hoping that duo has yet to hit their ceiling together. That very well could happen, with Winfield aiming for a bounce back year and Smith coming along as a player and leader for Tampa Bay’s defense.
“We think we have two really good safeties,” Jason Licht said of them.
In the same breath, Licht mentioned JJ Roberts as someone who will factor in behind them, perhaps in three-safety looks or rotating in.
“I think JJ Roberts is one to watch this offseason,” Licht added when asked about adding another safety. “It’s going to depend on where it’s at; we’re not set out to go and take a safety in the third round. We’re always looking, we’re always seeing what’s out there. We’re always looking to find players and we’ve found players or signed players in August and September that have gone on and helped us.”
Safety is perhaps the only position group that the starters could be locked in. With how much Jason Licht attempts to find the best player available in the NFL Draft, absolutely nothing can be ruled out.