Bryce Boettcher & The Bucs
March 22nd, 2026
So Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht acknowledged his front office spent a little effort keeping its eyes on adding edgy dudes in free agency.
Licht wasn’t singing the ancient rock song, No More Mr. Nice Guy, but he did want to upgrade the team’s nasty meter.
So Joe assumes Licht will have the same mindset preparing for the draft.
The Bucs still have their “I Am That Man” philosophy of drafting team-first, football-loving dudes, but they want to be mindful of making sure that’s inclusive of players who might not win sweetheart awards.
That brings Joe to inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher, a prospect out of Oregon.
Former Eagles, Ravens and Browns scout Daniel Jeremiah is arguably the top year-round draft guru at NFL Network. Jeremiah pores over film and has the respect of executives around the league. So it intrigued Joe to hear Boettcher make Jeremiah’s list of top-10 “dawgs” in the draft, as he explained on The Rich Eisen Show.
Boettcher will be a mid-round draft pick, but he sounds and plays like a Baker Mayfield type in how he approaches the game: relentless, aggressive and with a huge chip on his shoulder.
Boetcher is a two-sport college star who was drafted in 2024 by the Houston Astros.
“He plays just with such an energy and physicality,” Jeremiah said. “He’s got the baseball background, but I’ve never seen anybody decleat his teammate in warmup for a Senior Bowl game. But that’s how juiced up he was.”
Here are some things film guru Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about Boettcher.
Strengths
- Fearless mindset to race downhill and attack blockers.
- Strikes and separates from climbing blocks to stay play-ready.
- Had a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
- Uses slow-and-go speed alterations to mirror runner’s movements.
- Presses deep before hitting blocker with side-step on blitzes.
- Will be an instant five-phase special teams option.
Weaknesses
- Average size with below-average reactive athleticism.
- More “see it” than “anticipate it” in responding to the run.
- Steep downhill flow causes him to lose ability to contain.
- Lacks pursuit burst to keep runners from turning the corner.
- Takes big, hard bites on play-action and loses positioning.
- Slow to recognize receivers in his vicinity from zone.
Joe loves the idea of a guy like Boettcher on Day 3 of the draft. Round 5? Round 4?
Obviously, the Bucs need inside linebacker and special teams help. And it appears Boettcher can tackle (136 combined tackles last year).
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:37 pm
His weaknesses do not bode well for his transition to the next level-Pass
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
An immediate Special Teams ace and potential LB rotation/future starter or quality back up in round 5? Yes, please.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Agree with Todd … Pass. This is the year of the Linebacker. Plenty of good ones to choose from. No need to reach.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:51 pm
“Weaknesses: In his two years at Nebraska, (he) had some issues taking down stronger running backs and tight ends in the open field. Often had to hold up the ball carrier and wait for help tackles. Struggles to get off blocks at times.”
THAT was Lavante David’s draft assessment 14 years ago
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I think Anthony Hill Jr is the best fit for us
He has the size, length, speed, skills and experience
He can rush the passer, play the run, cover TE and RB
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:57 pm
They need to trade up for Styles. Otherwise, trade back.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Anthony Hill is a young dude, turned 21 in February
3 year starter for the Texas Longhorns
250 Tackles, 138 Solo
17 Sacks
3 Int
8 FF
4 PD
He’s 6’3 238 lbs, probably a better Edge than most of these Edges
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Boettcher we don’t draft him
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
And Anthony Hill Jr
31.5 TFL, the guy is super quick getting in the backfield
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Boettcher is a late round gamble pick – like 5th or 6th round. I like the kid from TCU there – Elarm- Orr. 4.5 Fast and one of the best tacklers. Hill is 1st or 2nd round, not near the same tier as Boettcher.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Good to know all the college prospects who can get drafted, come to the Bucs and make us wish for Daquan Bowers.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Badbucs,
We don’t need a project ILB
And we don’t need to draft multiple ILBs, too many holes to fill
We need to go after the best then focus on other needs
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Round 4? No. 6? If we haven’t already hit the position (which would be malpractice) then sure.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Y’all are funny. When you are drafted in the middle of the 5th round, you’re trying to find someone who immediately plat ST and has a chance to develop into a starter. He also would provide better depth than SVD or atleast competition to the LBer group.
5th round or later, absolutely worth a look.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:30 pm
If we’re gonna draft a LB later on (which I’d also consider) I’m not drafting him. I’m considering somebody like Jack Kelly Aiden Fisher Isaiah Smith AJ Pena Tre Freeman & a couple others I’m probably missing. Pena Freeman & Smith might go undrafted. They should be drafting a LB within the first three rounds. If they don’t do that then they really are idiots. Either Allen Hill Golday Rodriguez Trotter or Louis because I doubt Styles will be there.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Being mean doesn’t help if you’re not big and fast. Average size and slow reactions don’t impress me. Over the past few years, it seems to me that the Bucs like to draft undersized players, especially for their positions, and the wonder why they’re always hurt.