The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found themselves lacking in many, many different areas over the last few years – all of which finally led to a disastrous 2025 season in which the franchise missed the playoffs for the 1st time since 2019.
One area that needs to be fixed is backup quarterback, where the Buccaneers have lacked peace of mind for what seems like time immemorial — a fix there might just need to come in the last few rounds of the 2026 NFL draft.
“After visiting the Patriots on Friday, Kansas QB Jalon Daniels is in Tampa today for a Top 30 visit with the Bucs, per source,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on Monday. “The 6’1, 219 lb Daniels also had private workouts with the Saints, Bills, Chargers, and Chiefs earlier this spring.”
Daniels might prove to be an attractive option as a backup for many reasons, not the least of which is being his age (23 years old) and experience (45 career starts).
“Daniels has an NFL-quality arm but inconsistent ball placement and decision-making. Though undersized, he has dual-threat talent, with explosive flashes and the quick processing to maximize what a defense is giving him,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “The greatest area of concern: He needs to take better care of the football (19 interceptions and 18 fumbles over his final 24 college games). Overall, Daniels has the ball-handling skills and intangibles that give him a chance, but his inconsistencies as a passer will be tough to overcome versus NFL speed.”
Daniels Had Long and Winding College Career
Daniels had a long and winding road to the NFL draft — one that started before the NIL era even began.
The Lawndale, California, native was a 6-year starter for the Jayhawks, including going 0-6 his freshman year in 2020 as the Jayhawks went 0-9 in the pandemic-shortened season.
In 2022, Daniels led Kansas to a 5-0 start and their 1st appearance in the AP Top 25 since 2009. He was 1 of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy before he was injured in the 6th game of the season, but was still named All-Big 12 despite missing 4 games due to the injury.
Daniels returned for the bowl game that year and turned in 1 of the greatest bowl performances in program history by throwing for a bowl-record 544 yards in a 55-53 loss to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.
Named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year in 2023, Daniels went 3-0 before a back injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. He played all 12 games for the Jayhawks in 2024 and 2025 but went 5-7 both years.
NFL Teams Could Be Enticed by Backup Potential
Daniels could be a popular “project” as a backup for several teams, including staying close to home with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have former 1st round pick Justin Fields as a backup to Patrick Mahomes on a 1-year contract in 2026.
“Daniels is projected as a latter-round selection in the April 23-25 draft,” The Kansas City Star’s Shreyas Ladda wrote. “But there’s some sentiment that his draft stock has risen this spring, and that he could be picked earlier than expected. Daniels played six years for the Jayhawks, but his legacy is complicated. He was the face of KU football’s turnaround, leading the program to its first bowl since 2008 with his stellar play in 2022.”
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