TAMPA — Six members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2023 draft class enter the 2026 season on the final year of their rookie contracts, setting up a pivotal stretch for a group that includes defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, guard Cody Mauch and edge rusher Yaya Diaby.
Kancey, the 19th overall pick out of Pittsburgh, is the lone exception to the contract-year pressure. The Buccaneers announced they exercised his fifth-year option on April 27, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season. In 29 career games, Kancey has produced 11.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits and 66 QB pressures according to NFL Next Gen Stats — an average of more than two pressures per game. His 7.5 sacks in just 12 games during 2024 were a team-leading total, hinting at double-digit potential not seen from a Buccaneers interior lineman since Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Kancey said his number-one goal for 2026 is to play all 17 games after missing a total of 22 games to injuries across three seasons, including a pectoral injury that limited him to three outings last year.
Mauch, a second-round pick and converted offensive tackle out of North Dakota State, started all 34 games over his first two seasons before a torn meniscus in the second game of 2025 cut his third year short. He recently declared himself fully recovered and is expected to anchor the right guard spot again. Diaby, drafted 82nd overall out of Louisville, has emerged as one of the Bucs’ best value picks, generating 19.0 sacks, 38 tackles for loss and 47 QB hits through three seasons. The Bucs anticipate him being a major part of a deeper edge rush rotation after acquiring Rueben Bain Jr. and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Fifth-round linebacker SirVocea Dennis, also out of Pittsburgh, broke out in 2025 with 101 tackles, one interception, five passes defensed and 3.0 sacks while starting all 16 games in which he played next to Lavonte David. Dennis will face competition for playing time after the Bucs signed former Lion Alex Anzalone in free agency and drafted Missouri’s Josiah Trotter in the second round in April.
Fifth-round tight end Payne Durham out of Purdue has earned 18 starts in three seasons, logging offensive snap percentages of 41% in 2024 and 31% last year. In 46 career games, Durham has 17 catches on 25 targets for 184 yards and two touchdowns. The Buccaneers did not draft a tight end until the sixth round this year, positioning Durham for a similar role. Sixth-round cornerback Josh Hayes has been a special teams standout, recording a team-leading 34 tackles in kick coverage from 2023-25 along with a forced fumble, while logging 886 special teams snaps and 294 on defense. His three defensive starts came in 2024, when he contributed 29 tackles, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
The outcomes from last year’s contract-year class — the 2022 draft — offer a template for what lies ahead. The Bucs extended tackle Luke Goedeke through 2029 and cornerback Zyon McCollum through 2028 before the season, re-signed tight ends Cade Otton through 2028 and Ko Kieft on a one-year deal, and lost defensive lineman Logan Hall to the Houston Texans and running back Rachaad White to the Washington Commanders in free agency. Under the current CBA, drafted players become eligible to sign new or extended contracts after their third season, though many do not reach agreement before their final year plays out.
The Buccaneers open the 2026 regular season with all six remaining 2023 draftees on the roster, each carrying the weight of a contract year as the team builds toward what it hopes is a more complete roster.