Where do the Bucs need to make additions ahead of the 2026 season?

With the draft in the rearview and training camp on the horizon, Tampa Bay still has time to make targeted additions before Week 1. And looking closely at the roster, a few positions stand out as areas where another move would answer the remaining questions.

Cornerback is at the top of that list. Right now, the Bucs are incredibly young at the position, and notably, they lack a true veteran presence.

Zyon McCollum, who is still developing himself and coming off a down year, is considered to be one of the longest tenured cornerbacks in the secondary. That’s not ideal for a defense that relies heavily on communication, physicality, and discipline on the back end. Tampa Bay has leaned into youth and upside, but adding a proven veteran corner could stabilize the room, provide leadership, and give Todd Bowles a more reliable option in high-leverage situations.

Safety is another spot that feels thin, even with reinforcements expected.

The Bucs are counting on players like J.J. Roberts to return from injury, but relying on health alone is always a risky bet. Behind the projected starters, depth is limited, and that becomes a concern in a defense that asks a lot from its safeties both in coverage and in run support. One injury could quickly expose that lack of depth, making this a position where a late veteran addition could quietly go a long way.

Then there’s tight end, a position Tampa Bay addressed, but not in a way that fully answers the question.

The selection of Bauer Sharp in the sixth round adds intrigue, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for a proven TE2. Cade Otton remains the clear top option after being re-signed, but in Zac Robinson’s offensive system, tight ends are expected to be consistent contributors, not just complementary pieces. Whether it’s in the passing game or as part of the run scheme, having a productive second tight end matters, and that role is still up for grabs with neither Devin Culp nor Payne Durham solidifying themselves as options.

Sharp brings upside, but like most late-round rookies, there’s a transition period. If the Bucs want more immediate production behind Otton, a veteran addition before the season wouldn’t be surprising.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Could the Bucs make additions to the secondary ahead of next season?