Operation Inside Linebacker
April 24th, 2026
Georgia Bulldogs inside linebacker C.J. Allen.
There is no debate. The Bucs entered the 2026 NFL Draft determined to draft an immediate starter at inside linebacker.
And Joe is rather confident that guy is coming tonight in Round 2, which kicks off at 7 p.m.
A CBS Sports second-round mock draft published after last night’s opening round has the Bucs picking University of Texas linebacker Anthony Hill.
There is no linebacker prospect in this draft who has produced as much as Hill over the course of his career. He has stepped up as a pass rusher and has the athleticism to play sideline to sideline.
The Bucs are sitting with the No. 46 overall pick, the No. 15 selection of Round 2.
Lots of Bucs fans are aching for Texas Tech inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who CBS has coming off the board in a hurry to the Bills at No. 34 overall. He seems like a tremendous, do-it-all player. Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen also seems like a can’t-miss prospect, not a Pro Bowler but a sound, strong and NFL-ready starter. CBS has him mocked to the New York Jets at No. 44 overall.
Will Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager trade up for any one those three linebackers? That’s Joe’s big question of the day.
It’s a safe bet Licht might weep in a quiet corner if he has to cough up a fourth-round pick to make it happen. Licht loves his draft picks. Fifth-round? Joe could see Licht stomaching that very easily.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:19 am
Rodriguez may very well fall. Most have him slotted around 45-50. Allen as well. Golday and Hill might be special as well. In 2012, we drafted what was left in the second round between Bobby Wagner, Mychal Hendricks, Zach Brown, and Lavonte David… it worked out pretty well for us. I think the closest player to David might be Rodriguez.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:19 am
i like all 3 options Hill, Allen and Rodriguez…
but if M.Thomas or McDonald are still on the board you grab one lol…
simple as that
GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 10:20 am
They should be able to move up 5-10 spots with a 5th rounder. Let’s see how it shakes out…
April 24th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Of course would be preferable to not trade up, but Hill Jr is one of those key players u cant miss on if you get this close. If there’s any inkling of intel a team b4 us might prefer Hill Jr., JL has to go get him
April 24th, 2026 at 10:23 am
He has rare traits that #55 and #54 also had for us
April 24th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Go get!
Let the chips fall where they may afterwards….
Sleep easy knowing that you 100% percent are not compromising!
April 24th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Joes…. Help me understand why the noderantion of my posts, misspelled to jump the filter.
Why Joe why?
April 24th, 2026 at 10:29 am
ILB. G. RB. S. TE.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:38 am
If we can get a stub linebacker, it would mimic the 1995 Draft of Sapp and Brooks hopefully!
April 24th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Licht needs to do whatever it takes to get 2 picks in the 2nd round (with the exception of giving away any 2027 picks). Any combination of LB/DT/CB we can come away with in the 2nd will all be huge contributors to us getting back to where we need to be defensively
April 24th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Isn’t 46th the 14th selection?
Regardless, there are several LB prospects there…..I’m quite sure if we want a LB we will get one…..we could also use a CB.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:43 am
ILB, CB ….
April 24th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Can he play corner? Are we just going to neglect the CB position and dumpster dive in the 3rd and 4th for a starter?!
April 24th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I would love the see the Bucs take McDonald in the 2nd if he is there, though I wouldn’t shed a tear if we drafted a LB. I just like the thought of rotating in D-lineman in waves.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:46 am
Fortunately, there’s LOTS of good corners in this draft.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:46 am
Round #2:
BPA – ILB/CB/IDL
Round #3
BPA – ILB/CB/IBL/TE/WR
April 24th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Front to back on D! If MacDonald or Mason are there, run to the podium. JRod, CJ Allen, or Hill is not. Front to back. Football 101.
A stud D line – stud front 7 is way more important than CB imo. Big, ugly, nasty. Put fear in the QB. Make them dread coming here – like the Sapp/Brooks days. That is how you win. Right Seattle!?
April 24th, 2026 at 10:51 am
LOL
IDL – not IBL…
April 24th, 2026 at 10:51 am
I am ecstatic about Bain! I would stand pat with Rd 2 spot. Someone will be there. I am hoping Lee Hunter is the pick but I have a feeling he will be long gone. Would love him there and get LB in 3rd.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:57 am
we could still use another corner
April 24th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Quick, need some ai photos of Jrod AND Hill with a bong mask on, lol (just kidding)….
hmm, if we stay and both are gone, then take Allen….if he’s gone too, get that Guard Pregnon or S Mcneil Warren (hes a beast and perfect for slot corner at times)
April 24th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Idc about the mocks they are normally way off. We need this guy Rodriguez bad if we can land him in the 2nd and a sound DT in the 3rd this may very well be Lichts best draft
April 24th, 2026 at 11:05 am
I think Anthony Hill Jr is the best fit to play along with Anzalone
That’s what you want, the best player that will help you win now
Hill can play inside or outside, he’s a stud
As much as I like CJ Allen, Hill will be better with the Bucs
Hill can play in space, coverage skills are good, pass rushing skills are great
Plays sideline to sideline, good tackler
April 24th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Yep, gotta go best DT or ILB available……
If Kayden McDonald somehow slides, then snag him….
If not, def ILB pick here…
Just gimme either Allen, Hill Jr, or Rodriguez…..
MUST HAVE ONE OF THEM!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 11:08 am
It’s a shame that Hill Jr was wearing a bong mask with Jamel Dean the night before a 1 o’clock game, where is that pic
April 24th, 2026 at 11:10 am
You cannot go wrong with JRod, Allen or Hill.
Let me start something too:
OPERATION AJ BROWN! Trade an existing player and a future #1 pick.
I think he’s an excellent match with Baker and he’s barely used the last two years in PHilly. No risk it no biscuit, DO IT Jason.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:16 am
“Can he play corner? Are we just going to neglect the CB position and dumpster dive in the 3rd and 4th for a starter?!”
Dumpster dive? That’s a little too much cheese on that one boss.
Jacob Parrish
Tykee Smith
J-Mac
Bucky Irving
Yaya Diaby
Cade Otton
Rachaad White
All these guys were “dumpster dive” picks? C’mon now.
2 CBs went last night.
Players like Colton Hood, Jermod McCoy(first round talent), Avion Terrell, Brandon Cisse, Keionte Scott, and not to mention a sleeper like Charles Demming. All available, just enjoy the process. 1 of 7 rounds in the books and as it stand we’ll pick a CB before the end of business tomorrow afternoon/evening.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Alex Anzalone is 6’3 240 lbs
Anthony Hill Jr is 6’3 240 lbs
We need to get bigger and stronger
And Hill fit the bill, and he has 4 51 speed
Hill should be our pick
April 24th, 2026 at 11:23 am
If McDonald is around at 46, the Bucs have to draft him. Vea isn’t getting any younger.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Trade whatever it takes to get McDonald DT and the Bucs best rated ILB and call it a night and a year and whatever you paid in the future.
Two second round picks tonight and order pizza and beer.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Tacario Davis, Julian Neal, Will Lee and David Igbinosun are all 2-3 round CBs with size and speed Todd loves. Most likely grabbing one of these guys in round 3
April 24th, 2026 at 11:29 am
“OPERATION AJ BROWN” ?
Nothing like paying to put a pouting malcontent on the sidelines to boost morale.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Hill, Rodriguez and Allen were the guys I had targeted for a second round LB, and I think any of them would be a huge upgrade over what we have now.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:31 am
“If McDonald is around at 46, the Bucs have to draft him. Vea isn’t getting any younger.”
Caleb Banks re-injured a foot he’d already injured during the CFB season at the combine, and still got picked before McDonald. Why? Because Caleb Banks when healthy can play the run as well, and push the pocket better than McDonald.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:33 am
“Tacario Davis, Julian Neal, Will Lee and David Igbinosun are all 2-3 round CBs with size and speed Todd loves.”
Give me Neal/Davis from this selection, and we’ll be right on our way.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Yes , AJ Brown. Averaging 85 receptions per year last 4 years with a team that has an inaccurate QB and wants run not throw.
Was George Pickins a malcontent in Pittsburgh? How’s that working out in Dallas?
April 24th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Well, if all 3 LB’s we want are gone, and G Pregnon is gone, i got us
Mcneil warren (S/slot CB)
Trotter (LB)
Nwaiwu (G)
Devon Marshall (CB)
Dontay Corleone (DT)
Caden Curry (edge)
April 24th, 2026 at 11:50 am
Last year was the year
Dude could have had a year under 54
April 24th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Hill or McCoy, should be the pick…. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Imagine if…what if
We draft Ohio Dt McDonald, because we do not know or can predict Kancey health.
Diaby, Vita, McDonald, and the rotation of Bain/Kancey
Let Muhammad Nd all those other guys stay ready
Draft an ILB
All good
April 24th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Hopefully some of these ILBs can slide I honestly like several options here. Once we get to around pick #40, it would probably cost the Bucs a 5th and 6th to move up which would still save their next two rounds. Go get your guy if he slides! Go Bucs!
April 24th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Whichever one of them has an IQ of 185, draft him.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
SOMEhow, SOMEway, we need to add another pick in the 2nd (higher) and get one of those 3 ILB’s, as well as McDonald
April 24th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
It’s a passing league. I want a ILB who can cover.