The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their 2026 NFL Draft class on a high note, landing the steal of the draft with Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr..
They just landed another major draft steal, and a fellow Miami Hurricane, on Day 3.
Rueben Bain and Keionte Scott will team up again with Tampa Bay BuccaneersÂ
The Buccaneers have completely overhauled their defense throughout the draft. Â They want to completely reshape the identity of their defense, not just in production, but in attitude.
Their latest addition comes in the form of standout Miami cornerback Keionte Scott, who was college teammates with Bain.
Bain was a team captain at Miami, and Scott was a team captain back at Snow College. Both are known to bring the energy to the football field, and play with a mean streak.
Scott is one of the most physical defensive backs you’ll ever see. He shines as a blitzer and run defender. PFF gave him an elite 91.4 run defense grade, ranking second in the nation.Â
He recorded five sacks and 17 pressures, both the most of any cornerback in college football. He’s going to fit like a glove in Todd Bowles’ defense.Â
From Bain to Scott to Josiah Trotter, Tampa Bay continues to load up on defenders who play fast, physical, and with a nasty edge. It’s clear the Buccaneers’ goal entering the draft was to make their defense more violent.
Reuniting Bain and Scott, two key pieces of a dominant Hurricanes defense that reached the National Championship, only reinforces that vision.
The Buccaneers defense is going to look and feel very different heading into the 2026 season.
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