Hittin’ K.J. Britt
May 1st, 2021
Bucs LB K.J. Britt.
If this guy makes it, Joe will forever call him “Hittin’ Britt.”
The Bucs have a project of a thumper at linebacker in Auburn’s K.J. Britt. Schooled by one of Joe’s favorite defensive coaches in college football, Kevin Steele, Britt will bring solid fundamentals to the Bucs.
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had about Britt in Brugler’s “The Beast.”
STRENGTHS: Has an appetite for contact…willing thumper and matches power for power when taking on linemen…fills run lanes with violence and a lead shoulder…quick to ID his keys and find the hole…uses his backfield vision to scrape and use lateral shake to avoid climbing blockers…enough speed to make plays near the sideline…muscular, well-strapped together frame with strength to spare…he makes sure you could never mistake him for soft…described as the “pulse of the team” and a natural leader who stays dialed in to football 24/7…productive tackler when he was on the field.
WEAKNESSES: Straight-line tendencies with tight hips…his body stiffness creates challenging angles and leads to finishing issues in small spaces…ball carriers were able to step out of his diving attempts…his tape showed limitations in coverage, struggling to turn, run and find the football…shorter arms and can be bullied when blockers reach him first…will abandon his hands at times and use a flipper or shoulder to attack blocks…injured a thumb and required surgery (October 2020), missing the final nine games of his senior season…had only 14 starts in college.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Auburn, Britt lined up at inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After a solid junior season, he reached double-digit tackles in each of the first two games as a senior before a thumb injury sidelined him. Known as a defensive alpha at Auburn, Britt is a physical thumper in the run game with the violent mentality that translates to any level of the game. While he has adequate range as a run defender, his body stiffness hurts his cover skills and ability to finish as a tackler in space. Overall, Britt’s athletic limitations will be tough to overcome in the NFL, especially in coverage, but he is a run-down banger with pro-level toughness that could help him stick as a reserve inside linebacker.
Man, is there a better line for a linebacker than “appetite for contact?” That’s Joe’s kind of linebacker. Punishing. Physical. Makes a ballcarrier feel him. Get’s in a ballcarrier’s head.
Again, as Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said last night about today’s goal, Britt seems like a special teams guy who may be able to make in on the field occasionally.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:38 pm
From what I read, he needs some development, but he’ll get on special teams.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:42 pm
That sack on burrow was nice. Flattened the OL.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:45 pm
Vichy replacement
May 1st, 2021 at 3:46 pm
A rich mans Joe Dirt…..
May 1st, 2021 at 3:46 pm
BA said he was going for special teams on the 3rd day of the draft. He is living up to his word. I suppose, there is not many spots open to make the 53 cutoff.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:47 pm
With the abbreviated college season and some guys sitting out, some these day 3 picks could turn out to be studs. Not to say he will be, but he is good at stopping the run and quick. You never know.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Appetite for contact with serious coverage limitations… awesome for the 70’s…this isn’t the 70’s.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:50 pm
I like the pick.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:54 pm
He will play Special Teams.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Put him in this environment and let’s see what happens.
May 1st, 2021 at 3:55 pm
That’s better than Gruden, who used to start drafting for special teams starting in round 2.
May 1st, 2021 at 4:04 pm
One of my favorite NFL descriptions…….Thumper…..
May 1st, 2021 at 4:31 pm
The next Darryl Smith? I like it not all linebackers are great in pass coverage.
May 1st, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Another great pick.
Hopefully he can make the team, and bring the love for contact to the special teams!
May 1st, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Not sure how he fits in the 2021 NFL , not quick enough for punt coverage, KO is a greatly diminished role, Oh well time will tell, I love the underdog story and I am looking forward to what the post draft UDFA list looks like.
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Oh Jameis might not have a long future with the Saints , he might get the Boot after this year or even training camp .
May 1st, 2021 at 5:30 pm
“I got an appetite and the only prescription…..is more contact”
He vw puts his pads on one leg at a time just like anybody ride :p
May 1st, 2021 at 5:32 pm
This guy will be a great fit when we play against teams with strong run games. A situational sub when somebody starts pounding the rock on us. Not as effective against pass happy teams.
May 1st, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Also great middle backer in 4-3 sets against run happy teams.
May 1st, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Some Bucs fans will find this Draft a Britt unusual, but the Trask at hand was always depth at the most important positions on the field and w/ an eye on the Darden future….players who would be good “2 years from now”, I’m sure this Coaching staff can’t wait to get their Hainsey’s on these kids!
May 1st, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Britt didn’t make a good first impression on me in his zoom press conference. He was looking down and on his phone for 80% of it. Not a great look.
May 1st, 2021 at 6:19 pm
@Mitch. Saw that. Not a great look. First interview and all.
May 1st, 2021 at 9:19 pm
Dumb question, but does he blitz?
May 1st, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Basically two linebackers and a cornerback, all good tacklers, 2 with outstanding speed in the 6-7 round. All about special-teams and development which is what the those rounds are for, especially on a team that returns every starter and about the top 10 backup players.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:18 am
Y’all can procrastinate and second guess all you want . Myself , I absolutely trust in JL , BA and our scouts ability to choose the right players that “fit” into our scheme . Nuff’ Said !