Bucs should have an intriguing prospect squarely in their sights to address a massive problem after NFL Combine showing
The Bucs’ abysmal defensive production in one area of the field simply has to change in 2026.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense has had its issues at times over the last couple of years in particular.
But one of those areas has stuck out like a sore thumb in particular, and it’s been the linebackers’ subpar pass coverage. Of course, most linebackers aren’t going to be as good as a safety and/or nickel corner in covering a tight end or running back in the open field.
However, the Bucs’ linebacking unit has been particularly poor against the pass since the early stages of the 2024 season, when SirVocea Dennis got off to a hot start before a late-September shoulder injury ultimately ended his season. And with Lavonte David on his last NFL leg — if he even returns this season — the Bucs have to find answers at the group quickly, which should be a priority this offseason.
The NFL Draft will serve as a chance to address the position with some young, affordable, and talented players for years to come. And at last week’s NFL Combine, general manager Jason Licht and his staff got a chance to observe some potential solutions at the position.
One of them flashed an athletic potential that will be hard for the Bucs to deny in Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis.
Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis should be firmly on the Bucs’ radar for the 2026 NFL Draft
Louis put together one of the best overall athletic profiles at the combine for the linebacker position. He tied for the fourth fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.53 seconds with a 1.58 10-second split, tied for third best. His 39.5-inch vertical was fourth, and his 10-foot nine-inch broad jump was second. His three-cone drill time was second best (6.97 seconds), and his 20-yard shuttle was tied for third best (4.26 seconds).
Louis turned in a brilliant effort in pass coverage in 2024. He limited opposing quarterbacks to a 55.6 passer rating with four interceptions while posting an 83.1 Pro Football Focus coverage mark. Those numbers dipped a bit in 2025, with a 72.3 coverage grade, two interceptions (which is still impressive), and a 99.2 opposing passer rating, but those are still solid marks.
The Bucs desperately need someone they can put out there on third down and who can help get the defense off the field, and Louis appears to fit that bill. Louis is undersized for the position at 6-foot, 220 pounds, so he could fill an extra defensive back role at times as a safety/linebacker hybrid.
The question is, where would the Bucs pull the trigger? Much depends on what they do beforehand. The Bucs have to address their pass rush early, and Louis isn’t the only possible day two linebacker target for the team, with players like Texas’ Anthony Hill, Jr. and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, who are more traditional three-down inside linebackers, likely to go in the second round.
But in Round 3 with the 77th overall pick, if Louis is there, he should be a tempting option for the Bucs, particularly if they haven’t yet addressed the linebacker position in the first two rounds.
The 2026 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh.
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