Yesterday, we went over the top offensive prospects. Today, we shift our focus to the other side. There are multiple areas the Buccaneers would love to improve upon on the defensive side of the ball. In 2025, Tampa Bay ranked in the bottom half in the league in passing defense, scoring defense and red zone defense. Injuries took a toll on the unit, but the 2026 NFL Draft offers the Bucs a chance to reinforce their roster.
Let's take a look at the top-five defensive prospects at the Panini Senior Bowl who could interest the Buccaneers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. DE Derrick Moore - Michigan
Michigan's Derrick Moore brought his on-field intensity to the Senior Bowl and flashed. The 6-foot-3, 254-pound senior stood out during practice, bulldozing opposing offensive linemen. In 2025, Moore produced 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks while earning a first-team All-Big Ten honor in the process. He is no stranger to success, winning a National Championship with the Wolverines as a sophomore in 2023. Once Moore is in the backfield, he eviscerates the quarterback. According to PFF, The Baltimore-native had the highest pass rush grade among all defensive players in the Big Ten. He also uses his football savviness to read play designs and shut down plays before they develop. He entered the Senior Bowl as a third-round prospect and will likely leave much higher on team draft boards by week's end.
2. DE Zion Young - Missouri
Zion Young is another excellent option to add to Tampa Bay's outside linebacker room. Young spent two years at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri where he flourished. Last year, he totaled 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Tigers. Young's 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame is excellent at creating leverage at the line of scrimmage. His build is ideal for a premier edge rusher and his reach immediately sets a physical tone on the field. The Atlanta-native's 56 quarterback pressures were the second most among all players in the SEC in 2025. Like Moore, Young has endeared himself to many fans who are watching the Senior Bowl unfold. He is projected as a second round pick and when it is all said and done, I would not be surprised to see a team select him in the first round.
LB Jacob Rodriguez - Texas Tech
Jacob Rodriguez did it all for Texas Tech last season. He finished the year with 128 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four interceptions and an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles, helping lead the Raiders to a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Rodriguez's efforts were rewarded by the national media, becoming one of the most-decorated and accomplished defenders in the class. In addition to winning the Bednarik and Butkus award, the first-team All-American finished fifth in Heisman voting, the first linebacker to do so since Will Anderson Jr. in 2021. At 6-foot-1, 233-pounds, Rodriguez is considered undersized at the position, leading to him having a third-to-fourth-round draft grade. Despite this, his production and leadership are unmatched. He would become an instant favorite in any locker room he joins in April.
4. CB Chris Johnson - San Diego State
Chris Johnson is the definition of a ball hawk. In 2025, The senior intercepted four passes and returned two of them for touchdowns en route to a first-team All-Mountain West selection. The 6-foot corner kept receivers on lockdown all season, earning PFF's second-highest cornerback grade last year. He excels in zone coverage and uses his instincts to anticipate throws to make big plays. An average 40-time keeps him from being considered a first-round prospect. Many sites view Johnson as a second-round selection and an automatic starter at the position.
5. DE T.J. Parker - Clemson
T.J Parker entered the 2025 season as a top-five prospect in the draft and it was easy to see why. His combination of instinct, build and drive made him a coveted prospect, consistently at the top of mock drafts. While Parker's production decreased during his junior year (following an 11.0-sack sophomore campaign), the Clemson Tiger's body of work remains impressive. He racked up 126 tackles, 41.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks in the span of three years. The junior is projected as a late-first-to-second-round selection in this year's draft. Parker possesses impressive upper-body strength, allowing him to effectively get off blocks. He also does an excellent job containing runners who try to bounce outside in his vicinity. Once in the league, he will look to expand his pass-rush moves and recreate his college success in the NFL.
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore (8) celebrates after a sack against Maryland quarterback Malik Washington to force a turnover during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (3) celebrates after a fumble recovery with defensive tackle Tre Williams (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Oregon State running back Jam Griffin (8) is tackled by San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (1) by during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, is unable to get away from Missouri defensive end Zion Young, right, fumbling the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) lines up against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore claps during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Colorado's wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) is tackled by Texas Tech's linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (3) tackles SMU wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr., right, in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Michigan's Derrick Moore plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Troy offensive lineman Elijah Prather (58) blocks Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (3) during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and Troy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Michigan edge Derrick Moore, left, tackles Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Missouri defensive end Zion Young in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
National Team defensive end TJ Parker (9), of Clemson, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore (8) recovers a fumble by Southern California tight end Lake McRee (87) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (3) plays during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and SMU, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, right, makes a catch as San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander dives for yardage as he's tackled by Missouri defensive end Zion Young (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) lines up against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
American Team defensive end Derrick Moore (8), of Michigan, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) tries to get away from Missouri defensive end Zion Young (9) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
FILE - Central Florida wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., right, is tackled by Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex, File)
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) looks on during the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game between Texas Tech and BYU Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
American Team defensive end Zion Young (9), of Missouri, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
