Story by
Three Buccaneers Draft Picks Make ESPN's Top 100
- Story by
- Three Buccaneers Draft Picks Make ESPN's Top 100
(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Since the conclusion of the 2026 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been praised for producing one of the best classes, making multiple "value" picks and addressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Among the analysts lauding Tampa Bay 's selections last weekend was The Athletic's Dane Brugler, who ranked the Bucs as owning the No. 6 overall draft class .
Advertisement
ESPN's Matt Miller released his top 100 picks of the draft in Monday, and three of Tampa's draftees landed in the top 45.
Miami cornerback Keionte Scott was the highest-ranked pick, No. 23 on Miller's list.
"Scott somehow fell to Round 4 despite being ranked as a top-50 player on my board," Miller wrote. "But Tampa Bay picked up the best blitzing cornerback in the draft and a player with starting safety or nickel cornerback traits."
Concerns about Scott's unorthodox play style and heavy blitzing tendencies at Miami may have been reasons for his fall, but Tampa Bay may be the perfect fit.
Advertisement
Head coach Todd Bowles loves to blitz members of the secondary, meaning Scott should thrive in the Bucs' pressure-heavy defensive scheme.
The Athletic also named Scott as Tampa's best value pick, noting his overall standing as a top-100 prospect pre-draft.
Scott's Hurricanes teammate, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. , trailed Scott at No. 26, in Miller's assessment. Miller cited the high praise that general manager Jason Licht has given his new pass rusher since drafting him.
Concerns surrounding Bain's arm length, which falls in the bottom first-percentile among NFL defensive ends, was the main reason for team's hesitancy to select him, but his production in undeniable.
Advertisement
Last season, Bain recorded 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, and earned second-team All-American honors. His 92.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season ranked third among 852 qualified edge defenders.
Against the run, Bain recorded 29 solo tackles and forced two fumbles, adding an interception in pass protection.
He should immediately provide much-needed help in pass rush to a Bucs team that struggled to get to the quarterback consistently last season.
The final Bucs pick to make the cut was Georgia State receiver Ted Hurst, who Tampa chose in the third round.
Like Bain, Hurst has been one of the more-heavily praised prospects after ending up with Tampa.
Advertisement
Steve Smith Sr., the eighth-leading receiver in NFL History, had major kudos for Hurst, comparing him to one of the greatest pass-catchers of all-time.
"He has the ability and shows flashes of a faster Larry Fitzgerald ," Smith said. "He catches the ball like him, gets in space, and adjusts to the ball so well.
Hurst was one of the most consistent receivers in college football over the past two seasons, recording 127 receptions for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In our Buccaneers draft profile on Hurst, Roundtable's Jeremy Ballreich outlined what makes Hurst so effective.
"Patient off the line, deceptive in his pacing, and sharp at the top of his stems," Ballreich wrote. "He understands how to manipulate leverage, set up defenders, and create separation without wasted motion. His footwork is crisp, and he consistently wins with timing and precision."
Advertisement
All three picks should compete for playing time immediately, as Tampa prioritized adding overall talent rather than targeting specific needs.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
