The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered this season with one of the NFL’s most celebrated rookie classes. 

First-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. looked like a future superstar from the moment he arrived in Tampa. His dominant offseason made him both the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and the most anticipated Bucs rookie in a long time. 

Linebacker Josiah Trotter, the Bucs’ second-round pick, comes from a standout NFL pedigree and has high expectations of his own, despite not receiving the same attention as Bain. 

Third-round WR Ted Hurst is a gifted playmaker with terrific size and speed. He turned heads during training camp and began earning comparisons to Bucs legend Mike Evans. 

Keionte Scott, Tampa’s fourth-round selection, was called one of the steals of the draft. His NFL readiness in the slot caused the team to move Jacob Parrish, who was outstanding as a rookie last season at the position, to the outside to make way for the rookie. 

Even with the terrific draft class, one of Tampa’s most promising rookies has turned out to be undrafted QB Jalon Daniels. 

Daniels enjoyed a meteoric rise over the preseason and won the job as Baker Mayfield’s backup. The rookie would end up starting three games after Mayfield was injured and guided the Bucs to their first victory of the season in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. 

While Bain and Hurst have largely disappointed, Trotter has been outstanding and is already one of the defense’s best players. Scott has played well, and Daniels has blown past any reasonable expectations. 

Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently released his mid-season All-Rookie Team, and a pair of Bucs earned a spot. 

Daniels was named the team's first-team quarterback, while Scott is the starting nickelback.

Trotter, who has played the best of any Tampa rookie, is part of the second-team linebacker corp.

Despite going undrafted, Daniels was the first rookie QB to start a game in the NFL this season. He was thrust into a difficult situation, with the Bucs 0-3 and their season threatening to become lost.

Daniels stepped up to the challenge, winning one of his three starts. He played with the poise of a seasoned veteran until he finally looked like an undrafted rookie in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in his third and final start

"First team: Jalon Daniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"The NFL has yet to see a 2026 draft pick start at quarterback. So, by default, the undrafted Daniels retains the spot he held on the quarter-mark All-Rookie Team.

"One of the reasons Daniels went undrafted was his high turnover rate, which has carried over to the NFL — he has more interceptions than touchdowns in two of three starts. But Daniels deserves credit for his Week 5 performance, as he led the Buccaneers to a win over the Cowboys. He was turnover-free that Thursday night and used his mobility to avoid negative plays."

As Brugler points out, Scott lasted longer than expected in the draft and has proven to be a bargain. He has immediately stepped into Tampa's defense and been an impactful player. Scott has shown his chops in coverage, against the run, and as a blitzer.

"Scott fell further than expected on draft night because he is a very specific type of player — an undersized nickel who is much better downhill than in reverse. But when used in the correct role, Scott can shine, and he has played well for a fast and physical Bucs defense. He has almost as many solo tackles as Styles and is tied with Caleb Downs for the most defensive stops (14) among rookie DBs"

Trotter has been understanding this Bucs and started his career with a historic debut. Brugler calls him a "hammer" against the run and praises the improvements he has made in coverage, thought to be his main weakness coming out of college.

"Any of these three linebackers easily could have joined Reese on the first team — it’s a loaded year for rookies at the position.

"Hill averages 10.3 tackles per game, which ranks third in the NFL behind only Alex Singleton and Nakobe Dean. Trotter has always been a hammer looking for a nail against the run, but his improvements in coverage are promising. Styles and Roquan Smith are the only NFL linebackers with 67-plus tackles, eight-plus pressures, and at least one interception and one forced fumble."

It is mighty impressive that the Bucs were able to have three rookies earning the honor of being included on Brugler's All-Rookie Team.

Once Bain and Hurst start realizing their enormous potential, this rookie class may prove to be the core of a Tampa team that is contending for Super Bowls in the near future.