Todd Bowles Talks Rookie Speed, Says Keionte Scott Can Play Safety And Linebacker
May 3rd, 2026
Todd Bowles
Joe already shared that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles says rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain will play all across the defensive front.
As for fourth-round pick rookie cornerback Keionte Scott, Bowles was talking on SiriusXM NFL Radio like Scott will have all kinds of responsibilities.
“Well, I know he is a nickel, but I think he can play corner and safety as well,” Bowles said. “I was super excited to get him. I was extremely happy when he was sitting there for us. I think he is a heck of a football player.
“He plays some linebacker, some nickel, some safety, some corner. He can do quite a few things and he is one of the few guys where you say he runs a 4.3 [40-yard dash] and you can see it on the tape and on the film. He plays like that. And he is very physical, he is very heady, he is very fundamentally and technically sound. We think we got a heck of a football player, so we can’t wait to get him in there and see what else he can do.”
Man, Bowles has some big hopes, dreams and expectations for Scott. Joe gets that Scott played six years of college ball and will be 25 on opening day, but he’s still a rookie.
If he can master nickel and use his speed on special teams, Joe will be ecstatic.
May 3rd, 2026 at 8:41 am
I just hope he does not confuse the poor kid. Let him settle in at nickel. Moving guys around has not worked so well with others. We definately need him at nickel so Parrish can move to the outside hopefully replacing McColumn or Morrison.
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:07 am
Let’s not use him on special teams. SVD can do that now that he’ll be riding the pine (IF he makes the team) I’m sure we are not done in FA and maybe add yet one more veteran ILB ( or after rosters are trimmed)
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:08 am
If Morrison finds his way this year ( it took Barber around year 3) and Parrish continues his upward trend and god willing Winfield plays like the stud we drafted, the secondary could be a real force this year with the addition of Scott! The now hopefully fierce pass rush will make them even better! Now the middle of the field is still the biggest concern, but even that group has been improved, Blows has no excuse if the defense as a whole craps the bed again, if so he will be let go…and rightfully so
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:16 am
Last year with SVD, RBs and TEs killed the Bucs. With Keionte and Anzalone, we have much better coverage guys.
Trotter and Roseboom could be a liability in coverage, and opponents will likely target them, just as SVD was attacked last year. Playing Trotter and Rosie on early downs will just lead to teams passing on early downs.
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:17 am
I’m not sure if most people realize just how good this kid could be in this scheme. I’ve seen a lot of talk about Bain as potentially DROY. Well I think we have 2 legitimate candidates. Imagine this young fella goes out there and gets something like 5 Sacks, 3 INTs, A nice amount of TFLs and a few forced fumbles/recoveries.
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:30 am
Yep! Got a Hybrid….I wanted that last year with Emmanwori! Then trade up in the 2nd to get Schwesinger…..Welcome aboard to what I saw that was needed a year ago
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:30 am
He’s not a Nickel back
He’s a Rover, there’s a huge difference between a Rover and Nickel
May 3rd, 2026 at 9:32 am
But seriously, everything falls into place, and we wouldnt have been picking 15th this year and Bain falling to us…..so its all good….ish played out properly.