In 2018, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent a pair of second-round picks on cornerbacks Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart as well as a fourth-rounder on safety Jordan Whitehead. That didn't stop them from going back to the secondary well a year later and nabbing two cornerbacks – Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean – and safety Mike Edwards with Day Two selections. Not much later, Davis, Dean, Murphy-Bunting and Whitehead all started the Buccaneers' dominant 31-9 win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LV.
That secondary lineup also featured 2020 second-round pick Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety and got meaningful snaps from Edwards in sub packages. In a relatively short period of time, the Buccaneers successfully remade the back end of their defense with a multifaceted youth movement.
Could the Buccaneers be in the middle of another such movement right now? The last two drafts have brought in safety Tykee Smith and cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, all second or third-round picks and all projected starters in 2026. There may be more to come. Speaking at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix on Monday, Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles made it clear the Buccaneers
2026 depth chart is currently incomplete at cornerback, in particular, though the solution does not necessarily have to come from the upcoming draft.
"We definitely need another cornerback," said Bowles. "Whether it's a veteran or whether it's a draft pick, that remains to be seen. We'd like to add one or two to the mix and kind of go forward from there. There are some good cornerbacks coming out in this draft and then there are still a few good veteran cornerbacks out on the street, so we'll play it by ear and see what we come up with."
The Bucs' need at cornerback has arisen primarily from free agency departures. Dean, who started 77 games over seven seasons in Tampa and was the team's best corner when healthy in 2025, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Depth piece Kindle Vildor, who was pressed into service as an outside corner several times last fall due to injuries, moved on to the New England Patriots. Safety Christian Izien, who was always an option to play slot corner, signed with the Detroit Lions.
The Buccaneers have the ability to go in multiple different directions when it comes to adding a cornerback or two because of the versatility of some other defensive backs already on the roster. Most notably, Bowles believes that Parrish, who started primarily in the slot as a rookie, will be an above-average performer whether he stays there, plays on the outside or ends up some kind of hybrid role.
"He'll definitely do both," said Bowles of Parrish preparing for both inside and outside roles this offseason. "I think he needs more reps outside, but I think he's just as good of an outside corner as he is an inside corner. But there was so much for him to learn last year, inside and outside, just confidently. I think he's an outstanding nickel, I really do, but I think if you left him outside he could be an outstanding corner. Then you would have to get another nickel. We'll rotate him inside and out and see how he comes out in his second year this spring, see how he feels this summer and kind of go from there."
The Buccaneers have the 15th overall pick in the first round of the upcoming draft, plus number 46 in Round Two and number 77 in Round Three. If they choose to focus on cornerback with that top pick, they could be looking at LSU's Mansoor Delane, the Tennessee duo of Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood or Clemson's Aveion Terrell. Others who might still be available in Round Two include South Carolina's Brandon Cisse, San Diego State's Chris Johnson, Arizona State's Keith Abney or Indiana's DeAngelo Ponds. The potential corner depth easily stretches into Round Three with the possible selections of Arizona's Treydan Stukes, Arkansas' Julian Neal, Texas' Malik Muhammad and Ohio State's Davison Igbinosun.
Dean was one of the first corners to find a new team in free agency, and others who came off the board quickly included Jaylen Watson (Rams), Alontae Taylor (Titans), Cordale Flott (Titans) and Tariq Woolen (Eagles). There are some notable veterans that still remain unsigned, however, including Marshon Lattimore, Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones, Trevon Diggs and Montaric Brown.
Bowles has generally been pegged as a defensive architect who prefers corners with good sizeand wingspan. He also said early in the offseason that he felt the Bucs needed to get bigger on defense overall, something they've already tended to in the front seven with additions like A'Shawn Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Alex Anzalone. However, as was made clear by the selection of Parrish in the third round last year and his immediate insertion into the lineup, a smaller frame isn't necessarily a deal breaker at corner.
"I don't think it's size," said Bowles. "I think if you're a good player, we're looking at you. I'veseen some good players in this draft, I've seen some good players out on the street and they're not necessarily ideal size. But if they have some savvy, they understand the game and can play, I'll take it."
View the best photos of the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects, including EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., TE Kenyon Sadiq & S Caleb Downs, participate in their college's pro day.
Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. works out during the school's NFL Pro Day, Monday March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes a catch during the school's NFL football Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes a catch during the school's NFL football Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey (31) watches a position drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston runs the ball during Washington's NFL football Pro Day Monday, March 16, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) runs drills during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) runs drills during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) runs drills during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts with LSU offensive lineman Josh Thompson (56) during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts with LSU offensive lineman Josh Thompson (56) during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts with LSU offensive lineman Josh Thompson (56) during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts with LSU offensive lineman Josh Thompson (56) during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano participates in drills during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Keldric Faulk runs drills during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Keldric Faulk runs drills during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Keldric Faulk runs drills during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling works out during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter runs a position drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon runs with the ball during the NCAA college football team's NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon runs with the ball during the NCAA college football team's NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren takes part in the school's NFL football pro day Monday, March 23, 2026, at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren catches a pass during the school's NFL football pro day Monday, March 23, 2026, at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren catches a pass during the school's NFL football pro day Monday, March 23, 2026, at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor works out during the school's NFL Pro Day, Monday March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Clemson defensive lineman TJ Parker works out during NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate makes a catch during the school's NFL football Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate makes a catch during the school's NFL football Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods works out during NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Clemson, S.C.. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods works out during NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Clemson, S.C.. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Missouri defensive end Zion Young runs the 40-yard dash during the school's NFL football pro day, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
