Fueled by elite scouting and nine impact players on rookie deals, Tampa Bay’s aggressive, high-IQ unit pair veteran savvy with cost-controlled talent to secure a dominant future.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a good eye for drafting young defensive players who contribute early, and the team has the 15th-most expensive defense because of their scouting.
Many of the contributors on defense are still on their rookie deals: Elijah Roberts, Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Tampa Bay bolstered its depth with more young talent from this year's draft.
The selected Rueben Bain Jr. (15th overall), Josiah Trotter (46th overall), Keionte Scott (116th overall) and DeMonte Capehart (155th overall). Having nine players on rookie deals helps lessen the total money spent on the defense.
What's significant about having so many young contributors is that the future is bright for their development. They have many NFL years ahead to learn under veterans and polish their skill sets to become the best players they can be.
Bain Jr. was arguably the steal of the first round after many mocks projected teams would select him in the top 10. However, he fell to the Buccaneers at No. 15 and is a part of an aggressive defense that fits his play style.
While the former Miami Hurricanes' pass-rushing abilities are elite, what stood out to run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach Larry Foote was his IQ. Bain Jr. highlighted the responsibilities of multiple defensive positions and showcased a detailed understanding of a play's depth.
"He knew everybody's responsibility, and he was just above the neck guy and told you what the linebacker had the guys on the inside," Foote told reporters on May 19. "He knew the coverage. He remembered the plays got that high depth, you know, it was very impressive."
Another young talent for Tampa Bay is Parrish, who had a solid rookie campaign. Coming out of Kansas State, he tallied 76 tackles (50 solo), two sacks, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and seven passes defended.
Rashad Johnson, the cornerbacks coach, had high praise for Parrish. He called his skill set elite and highlighted his versatility within the secondary.
"He is a guy that can play inside, he is a guy that can play outside," Johnson told reporters on May 19. "No. 1 would be just his mental capacity. This defense is not like opening up a book, and it is A, B, C, D. It has got some complexities to it, and this guy can manage those complexities.”
Tampa Bay had the fifth-best run defense last season, allowing 99.1 yards per game. Ranking in the top five in any defensive category with as many young players as the Buccaneers have on the roster is impressive.
It speaks to the organization's scouting and the coaching staff, bringing out their best qualities. The future is bright for Tampa Bay's young defense and could cement itself as one of the better defenses in the NFL at such an inexpensive cost.
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