Buccaneers Predicted to Add ‘Remarkable’ Edge Rusher in First Round

When it comes to the edge rusher position, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally admitted defeat following the 2024 season.

When the Buccaneers signed former NFL All-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowler Haason Reddick to a 1-year, $14 million contract on March 10, it was not only a deft move but it was the end result of years of trying to find someone to fill that spot through the draft and free agency.

The Buccaneers could have taken an edge rusher in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft but took a wide receiver with Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, who can make an immediate impact that could help his team win games as a rookie. Dominant edge rushers usually don’t find that kind of groove until several years into their career.

The Buccaneers have a team that can contend right now, so taking a wide receiver is probably the smart move.

The 2026 NFL draft might be a different story. One projection from the NFL Mock Draft Database predicts the Buccaneers will select Oregon edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei at No. 23 overall.

Uiagalelei, 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, just turned 20 years old on July 2 and led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks as a sophomore in 2024.

“Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei is coming off of a season where he recorded 10 quarterback sacks, which led the Big Ten Conference, and was named First Team All-Big Ten as a true sophomore,” Sports Illustrated’s Kyron Samuels wrote on July 20. “The remarkable campaign helped propel Oregon to a conference championship victory in their first season in the Big Ten & and an undefeated regular season record … now Uiagalelei’s name is being talked about with the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.”

Elite Edge Rusher From Big Time Football Family

College football fans will recognize the Uiagalelei family name — older brother and D.J. Uiagalelei was one of the top quarterback recruits of the last decade with both brothers coming out of California high school football powerhouse St. John Bosco.

For a long time, older brother D.J. was always projected as the surefire first round pick out of the 2 but college proved a difficult proving ground.

D.J. played for Clemson for 3 seasons and went 21-5 as a starter before he was benched for current starter Cade Klubnik during the 2022 ACC Championship Game and transferred to Oregon State for one season then Florida State for one season.

D.J. wasn’t picked in the 2025 NFL draft and is currently trying to make the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

Swings and Misses at Edge Rusher for Bucs

The Buccaneers have taken 2 notable swings and misses at the edge rusher position in recent years.

In 2021, Tampa Bay selected edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the first round (No. 32 overall) and watched him look generally lost for 4 seasons before finally letting him leave in free agency — Tryon-Shoyinka signed a 1-year, $4.75 million contract with the Cleveland Browns on March 11.

In April 2024, the Buccaneers tried to add a free agent edge rusher with veteran Randy Gregory and signed him to a 1-year, $3 million contract in hopes to add depth at the position.

In return, Gregory took Tampa Bay’s money and never showed up for a single workout, minicamp or training camp and was finally released by the Buccaneers on August 22.