Despite comparisons to franchise legends Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David, Tampa Bay passed on the versatile Pitt standout. Now, Miami looks to capitalize on one of the draft’s biggest values. Was not drafting Kyle Louis the right call? Or will the Bucs regret it?
One of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft was LB/S Kyle Louis from Pittsburgh. Louis has almost all of the traits that NFL teams crave coming out of college. He has speed, elite coverage ability, and positional versatility, all of which are necessary for modern-day NFL linebackers.
Unfortunately, what Louis does not have is size, at only six feet and 220 pounds. That lack of size caused Louis to plummet in the draft, falling all the way to pick 138 before being selected by the Miami Dolphins.
Louis was seen as an ideal fit for the Bucs leading up to the draft, yet they passed on him anyway. Which begs the question: Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers regret not drafting Kyle Louis?
Louis Seemed Destined To Be A Buc
Kyle Louis seemed destined to be a Buc. His two most common NFL comparisons were Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David, two Bucs' legends. If Louis's NFL career is even half as good as either one, the Bucs will certainly regret not drafting him.
It is hard to argue against any of the picks the Bucs made in the 2026 Draft. Rueben Bain Jr and Keionte Scott, Tampa's first and fourth-round picks, were two of the draft's biggest steals. According to "The Beast," Louis was another of the draft's best values. Coming off a 2025 season at Pitt in which he recorded 81 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two INTS, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble, Louis would have been a fantastic pick for the Bucs.
Why Did The Bucs Pass On Louis?
There are several logical reasons why the Bucs passed on Louis. The obvious one was Louis's lack of ideal size. But how much does that actually matter? Both David and Brooks were similar in size to Louis, though they were a bit bigger, and both went on to have Hall of Fame careers in Tampa.
What Louis lacks in size is made up for with his positional versatility. Louis can make plays whether lined up in the box, the slot, or on the outside. Having a chess piece like that roaming the defense brings immense value.
Another reason the Bucs passed on Louis was the other additions they made at linebacker. Tampa signed Alex Anzalone in free agency, and also drafted Josiah Trotter with pick 46. Both moves strengthened the Bucs' LB room, both for the present and future.
However, with Anzalone already 31 years old, Louis could have provided Tampa's linebacking group with youth while also easing into a larger role. Louis still could have seen meaningful snaps for the Bucs immediately, as he has proven he can deliver in any down and distance.
Was Passing On Louis The Right Call?
Only time will tell. If Anzalone continues his high-level of play despite being on the wrong side of 30, and Trotter becomes a capable starter, the Bucs' linebacker room should be strong. If third-round pick Ted Hurst can help fill the void left by Mike Evans' departure, Tampa will have no regrets about choosing him over Louis. If Keionte Scott proves to be a fourth-round steal, it will be impossible to argue that pick.
However, if Louis has a career that even comes close to resembling that of Brooks or David, the Bucs will certainly regret not drafting him, especially if any of the players mentioned above do not pan out.
While that certainly is a tall task, Kyle Louis possesses the playmaking ability to become a great NFL linebacker.
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