The reward concerning the Bucs and their 2026 draft class continues to pour in. This time, although, it’s about what they received away with.
Whereas many groups went out to “get their guy” regardless of what the final consensus board says, the Buccaneers stayed put with the No. 15 decide and let the board fall to them.
That was fairly nicely said when Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. fell to them at No. 15, however it’s Bain’s Hurricanes teammate, nickelback Keionte Scott, going to the Bucs within the fourth spherical that basically put the exclamation level on every thing. Scott was thought-about a prime 100 participant that may seemingly be drafted within the third spherical. The truth that he slipped to the fourth spherical and wound up with Tampa Bay have many calling it the steal of the draft.
Keionte Scott Has Turn into A Steal For the Bucs
NFL Draft professional Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who writes the extremely coveted and complete NFL Draft information “The Beast” yearly, not too long ago stated on the Up & Adams Present that Scott was steal of the draft in later rounds. Brugler is very revered for his draft protection, so his opinion holds a ton of worth.
“Let’s stick with the Bucs, Keionte Scott, getting him on Day 3,” Brugler stated. “Anybody that watched Miami’s defense, pick-six against Ohio State or watched the Louisville tape, he had 13 tackles for loss. He’s a corner in a linebacker body, so I think the fit concerns are why he fell in the draft. But I have no doubt that I think Coach [Todd] Bowles will find a way to utilize that play speed, especially that downhill [speed on blitzes]. It won’t surprise me when he ends up getting a couple of sacks because they’re going to use him as a blitzer. He’s going to show up in a lot of different ways for Tampa this year.”
Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Picture by IMAGN Photos – Jeff Romance
One other draft professional and analyst that has a ton of respect across the league for his work is Pewter Report alum Trevor Sikkema of The NFL Inventory Trade. Sikkema joined Pewter Report on Tuesday for the Pewter Report Podcast the place he spoke in regards to the shock that Scott was even accessible when the Buccaneers have been on the clock within the fourth spherical – plus what he can do for Tampa Bay’s protection.
“The presence that he’s going to be for this team in the nickel is going to be reminiscent from what Tykee Smith was for them two years ago,” Sikkema stated. “And I believe they actually missed that physicality and that run protection from the slot place. However now, Keionte will get to play within the slot, you’re kicking Jacob Parrish to the surface, which I believe he’s actually going to thrive at as a result of I’ve a number of religion in him as a participant. And then you definately get a very good rotation of out of doors corners that you simply really feel fairly good about.
Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Picture by: Sophie Pallman – The College of Miami
“I had Keionte Scott like No. 52 overall on my big board. This is beyond double where I had him to get him at No. 116. I think it’s insane that he lasted until 116, I think the Bucs got a total steal here.”
I adopted up with Sikkema after his response about if Scott was the steal of the draft, to which he replied:
“Honestly, probably yes,” Sikkema stated. “A minimum of one of many prime 5 steals of the draft. He’s in that dialog of one of many largest steals within the draft, there’s no query about it.
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One other Day 3 Buccaneers Decide Will get A Shout-Out
The compliments about Keionte Scott haven’t stopped, as Justin Melo of Sports activities Illustrated named some underrated gamers that have been picked on Day 3 of the draft and had him within the fourth spherical group. This what he stated about him.
“Some thought Keionte Scott may be a second-round pick. Age (he’ll turn 25 this season) and size deficiencies ended up pushing him to Day 3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took advantage of teams who overthought the process. Scott is a pro-ready defensive back with a high football IQ that leads to playmaking ability around the line of scrimmage. The former Auburn transfer will immediately compete for reps as a hybrid safety or nickel cornerback.”
Scott isn’t the one Day 3 Buccaneers draft decide that has folks excited over what Tampa Bay did. Melo had a separate article the place he picked one participant from every staff as the very best below the radar decide. This time he went to the second of Tampa Bay’s fifth-round choices, selecting Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth.
Notre Dame G Billy Schrauth – Picture by: IMAGN Photos – Michael Clubb
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best draft classes, having landed Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott later than they should have been available. Fifth-round guard Billy Schrauth was a nice pick, too. The Bucs’ interior offensive line was a struggle last season, and Schrauth is a team captain who is tough and physical inside.”
Whether or not it’s Bain initially, or Scott and Schrauth on Day 3, the Buccaneers have been distinctive on this draft from begin to end. They simply must put it collectively when the season comes round to enhance on final yr’s 8-9 document and get again to double-digit wins in 2026.
