The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled through the first five weeks of the 2026 season, but their rookie class has provided some encouraging results. Despite the team's 1-4 record, several first-year players have earned meaningful roles, helping Tampa Bay land in the top half of a new league-wide draft class ranking.
In his latest evaluation for NFL Draft on SI, Justin Melo ranked the Buccaneers' 2026 draft class No. 15 among all 32 teams, assigning it a B-minus grade. Tampa Bay finished one spot ahead of the Carolina Panthers, while the Atlanta Falcons ranked 10th and the New Orleans Saints ranked 26th.
Much of that early success has come from linebacker Josiah Trotter, wide receiver Ted Hurst III, and defensive back Keionte Scott. Trotter has shown
encouraging instincts and physicality in the middle of Todd Bowles' defense, while Hurst has provided a downfield receiving threat despite Tampa Bay's instability at quarterback.
Hurst has recorded eight receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown through five games, averaging 16 yards per catch. His average target depth of 21.6 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, reflects how Tampa Bay has used him to challenge defenses downfield rather than relying exclusively on short passes.
Scott has also made an impression in the secondary. A fourth-round selection out of Miami, Scott earned an 83.5 run-defense grade and a 73.3 coverage grade in an earlier NFL Draft on SI evaluation, which also credited him with 11 tackles and a sack at that point in the season. His ability to contribute against the run, in coverage, and as a blitzer has made him a useful piece of Tampa Bay's defensive rotation.
The biggest concern remains first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who has struggled to make an impact while dealing with groin and shoulder injuries. A separate evaluation by Melo reported that Bain had a 2.6% pass-rush win rate through Week 4, the lowest among qualifying edge defenders in that analysis. PFF's subsequent player statistics credited Bain with just two quarterback pressures and no sacks through his early appearances.
Bain's slow start is particularly notable because Tampa Bay selected him 15th overall to improve a pass rush that needed more consistent production. Head coach Todd Bowles has acknowledged the impact of the rookie's injuries, and Bain's limited playing time makes it premature to judge his long-term potential. Still, the Buccaneers need more from their first-round investment as the season progresses.
The contrast within Tampa Bay's rookie class is what makes Melo's ranking interesting. Trotter, Hurst and Scott are already contributing in important roles, while the player selected to make the biggest immediate impact has yet to establish himself. If Bain stays healthy and begins generating pressure, the Buccaneers could see meaningful contributions from all four of their early selections.
For a Tampa Bay team still trying to recover from a 0-4 start, the early returns from its younger players offer a positive development. The Buccaneers don't need every rookie to become a star immediately, but getting consistent production from multiple selections would give them a stronger foundation beyond the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers' 2026 draft class ranks among NFL's top 15
