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Will The Next Derrick Brooks Continue The Succession Of Standout Bucs Linebackers?

March 30th, 2026

Pitt LB Kyle Louis.

Early in his career, Lavonte David was often called the next Derrick Brooks. He was that man.

Brooks was famous on and off the field. A total terror on the field — just ask Tory Holt’s ribs — and off with all his charity work.

David was as fierce and also charitable. Brooks and David were the pinnacles of professional football players. But the two never really had a direct connection in the sense that there was a three-season gap from when Brooks last played for Tampa Bay and David snapped on the chin strap for the Bucs.

Now that David is retired, might the latest next Brooks be selected by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht?

Joe is a huge, huge fan of ESPN draft analyst Louis Riddick. The guy is so smart and always brings a fresh observation to player analysis.

Riddick is a former NFL defensive back (played for Bill Belichick and Nick Saban in Cleveland) and was a scout and later personnel executive under Howie Roseman in Philadelphia.

Also a personnel suit under Roseman was Jason Licht. So it wouldn’t shock Joe if Licht might have a similar eval of an ACC linebacker.

Joe gives Riddick a bit of slack because he is a big-time Pitt homer. That’s where he played and went ot college. But for Riddick to throw around the name of a Bucs legend, a Hall of Fame linebacker, with the following college linebacker got Joe to pay attention.

Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis is expected to be a second-day draft pick. The crowd at WalterFootball.com actually has Louis ranked as the No. 3 off-the-ball linebacker behind Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.

Louis is known for his speed, his pass coverage skills and his “dangerous” ability to blitz. Louis ran a 4.53-second 40 yard dash at the combine. Compare that with David who ran a 4.65 40 at his combine. Brooks was reported to have run a 40 in 4.45.

In the last two seasons for Pitt, Louis has 24 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 10 sacks.

Some 24 tackles for loss in two years sure sounds like David.

If a guy like Riddick thinks Louis is the next Brooks, Joe’s antennae are at full extension.

(In the video below, Louis is No. 9.)

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4 Responses to “Will The Next Derrick Brooks Continue The Succession Of Standout Bucs Linebackers?”

  1. Defense Rules Says:
    March 30th, 2026 at 5:28 am

    A couple of JBFers mentioned Kyle Pitts in other articles, and I was impressed on looking at several of his draft profiles. Looks to be too under-sized (6’0″ & 220 lbs) to be a MLB, but he looks like a solid potential replacement for LVD or maybe as a Safety down the line.

    Two of the ‘strengths’ that impressed me the most were: (1) ‘Runs with receivers like a CB in man coverage; and (2) ‘Can burst and grab anything that is in his area’. That’s exactly what we need much more of in this defense.

    I’d still prefer to draft a beastly NT/DT in Rnd 1 then a starting ILB in Rnd 2 because I think that’d make the most difference to improving this year’s defense IMO. BUT … if no suitable NT/DT is there (high quality Vea replacement down the line), wouldn’t mind at all drafting an ILB & a CB OR even 2 ILBs in the Top-2 Rnds. That’s where the TALENT sits in terms of being starter-capable right now, and I think that’s what we need right now.

  2. Defense Rules Says:
    March 30th, 2026 at 5:31 am

    Hmmm, how about Kyle LOUIS instead of Kyle Pitts. (Actually though, wouldn’t have minded signing him either).

  3. Smoke Porterhouse Says:
    March 30th, 2026 at 5:31 am

    Sounds like he covers too good for a Todd Bowles defense.

  4. Cosmo Says:
    March 30th, 2026 at 5:37 am

    Hey Defense Rules,

    Drafting a NT/DT would make little difference this season. Vea, Kancey, and even Robinson will be out ahead of him. DT would be so dumb. But if it’s the best player on the board, I’m in.

    We have a major gaping hole at ILB next to Anzalone. We need depth/starter at L edge.

 

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