Bucs sign five of seven 2026 draft picks

The Buccaneers got most of their draft business done before rookie minicamp even opened. Tampa Bay signed five of its seven 2026 draft picks on Thursday, May 7, including first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. That matters because minicamp is where the class stops being a list of names and starts becoming actual depth-chart pressure. And the gap was pretty simple — rookies can show up, but contract work still has to get finished before the whole onboarding machine really feels settled. ### Which rookies signed? The five players under contract are Bain, defensive back Keionte Scott, defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart, guard Billy Schrauth, and tight end Bauer Sharp. Bain is the headline because first-round deals always draw the most attention, but the broader point is that Tampa Bay cleared out almost the entire class in one push. Only second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter and third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst were still unsigned as of Thursday. ### Why is Bain the big name? Bain was the Bucs’ first-round pick at No. 15 overall, and edge rush was one of the roster’s most obvious needs coming out of the draft. First-round contracts also work differently from the rest of the class — four years, plus the team-controlled fifth-year option — so getting that deal done removes the biggest piece of uncertainty — this was the one. ### Why do the unsigned two matter? They matter because they are not fringe picks. Trotter went in Round 2, and Hurst went in Round 3, so these are players the Bucs likely expect to compete for meaningful roles faster than the Day 3 group. That doesn’t mean there is drama — second-round deals especially can take longer around the league because guaranteed-money. Names to watch next. ### What is rookie minicamp really for? It is less about polished football and more about sorting. The Bucs said more than 60 rookies were already at the facility ahead of a three-day minicamp that mixes meetings, medical work, and on-field drills. Coaches get an early look at movement, conditioning, and where players might line up. Front offices get a first pass at how fast the class can absorb the playbook and routine. ### Why does getting deals done before minicamp help? Because it removes noise. A signed rookie can focus on learning the system, meeting coaches, and competing for early trust instead of handling paperwork in the background. For the team, it means cleaner evaluations. If Tampa Bay wants to compare Bain with its existing edge group, or see whether Schrauth can handle pro football. ### What does this say about Tampa Bay’s draft? The class leaned heavily toward defense early, with four defensive players in the first five picks. That makes these quick signings feel a little more important, because Tampa Bay did not draft this group just for developmental depth. The Bucs drafted for competition — especially on defense — and minicamp is the first step in turning that idea into actual roster decisions. ### So what is the bottom line? This is routine NFL business, but it is still useful signal. Tampa Bay has five draft picks signed, its first-rounder is already under contract, and rookie minicamp opens with most of the class ready to go. The only unfinished business is Trotter and Hurst. Everything else has moved from draft-week projection to real offseason work.