Deontae Lawson On Day 2?
February 19th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe listened to a linebacker today who sounded a lot like a Todd Bowles/Jason Licht kind of prospect.
Five-year Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson was a guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio and he talked a lot about playing for former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, being humbled as a five-star recruit out of high school and then raising his game and leading his team as a two-time captain — and through injury.
Considering the Bucs’ serious need at inside linebacker, Lawson sounded like he could be one of the Bucs’ next “I Am That Man” candidates at the position.
In-house NFL.com film guru Lance Zierlein has yet to publish a range on where he thinks Lawson will be drafted, but Zierlein did describe Lawson as follows:
Lawson is twitchy and covers ground quickly when scraping to the football or knifing inside to disrupt as a run blitzer. His quick flow and pursuit is countered by a lack of play recognition/patience that can place him in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s much better at slipping blocks than he is at taking them on. He has the reactive agility to become an above-average open-field finisher, but his wrap-and-drive fundamentals run hot and cold. Lawson’s athleticism shows up in man coverage and when expanding his zone influence. …
The word “twitchy” stood out to Joe. Talk to folks at One Buc Palace without microphones and cameras, and you’ll hear them say the team needs more twitchy players on defense — and that Lavonte David has lost much of his iconic “twitch.”
Lawson is billed as a smart player. He was the on-field playcaller for the Alabama defense, and he confessed to winning the team’s “good guy award,” as voted by media that covers Alabama.
He’s also an emotional guy. It sounded like he got choked up on radio when asked where and with whom he will watch the NFL Draft. Lawson said he’ll just be with those closest to him who helped him along the way.
Joe has seen most draft gurus place Lawson as a Round 2 or Round 3 pick.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
I think DT and ILB have to be the top two picks after signing a big time FA edge rusher.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
We know Bowles excellent scheme requires versatility and interchangeability, valuing those traits over tackling and pass coverage skills. No need to worry, Bucs will draft players who will play every position, fortifying the confusion and chaos philosophy. If Lawson can line up everywhere on the field, maybe he’s a Buc. It doesn’t matter how well he plays where he lines up because the QBs are too confused to execute. As we have seen on 3rd and 28, and 4th and 14.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
I’m pretty sure Jason will pick the best college punter with the first draft pick.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Nikhai Hill-Green, Lawsons’ teammate at Bama selected as our 2nd ILB selection would be getting us somewhere. I like Lawson, even more so if Howell falls in our laps. Hell, I’ve seen 7 round mocks we with Cashius & Hill jr as our first 2 picks, I’m with that type of behavior.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
See if the Falcons will trade James Pearce for Teddy Bridgewater plus some extra shoulder pads and footballs.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Another Alabama linebacker? Maybe he can motivate Brasswell
February 19th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
This is become hopeless. They will prolly resign Bilgewater too.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
I have previously labeled Lawson as play style fit for Bowles system, along with CJ Allen out of UGA. Either would slot in nicely.
I’m all for signing 2 ILB in FA…Or Sign a ILB in FA & draft an ILB…Or draft 2!
Regardless, the Bucs need 2 ILB that are starting caliber for the 2026 roster.
FA fits: Nakobe Dean-PHI, Leo Chenal-KC, Micah McFadden-NYG, Germaine Pratt-IND
February 19th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
After seeing how Braswell is turning out I’d say no. We probably just flip a coin on draft day & then just pick somebody. That’s probably how they draft.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Braswell provided a more in 2025 for his 2nd rd coin playing 25% of D snaps than Reddick did playing 50% of snaps for his $14M.
Plus, it’s hard to rush the passer when your asked to drop into coverage all the time so a S or CB can blitz, as is Bowles specialty.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Harold Perkins.
February 19th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
a lack of play recognition/patience that can place him in the wrong place at the wrong time. Better at slipping blocks than taking them on? above average?open field finisher? wrap-and-drive fundamentals run hot and cold? What in the heck are we talking about here? No. No. No…NO!!
February 19th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Any player drafted by Licht and coached by Bowles will underachieve, and
/or miss half the season with a hamstring injury. But once they played and get burned they will blame it on the complicated scheme and boredom. It’s a Bucs life.
February 19th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
Caught that interview today as well. Sounds like a sharp kid who loves football and has his head on straight. Im sure if JL picked him in round 2, Bowles would screw him up and then everyone would blame JL on another defensive player missed.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
The Butkus award winner for the nation’s top linebacker also won the Bednarik award for the nations top defensive player. His bio shows his strengths as every aspect of the game. He started his college career as a QB. Unparalleled play recognition and leadership qualities. Most turnovers both interceptions and fumbles in the freaking nation. He’s been rocketing up everybody’s draft list to now some are predicting day one. Bowles seems to get along with QBs. How about ex-QBs? I’ll bet Jacob Rodriguez and Bowles could help each other. If we let this kid go we should line up the entire scouting department and flog them. With a bullwhip.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Change twitchy to violent ,and we might have something
February 19th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
I think edge and OG should be the top 2 picks.
Oh the topic of ILB, we might have the right guy on the roster already.
Johnson lacks the strength to play OLB, but he has a great noce for where plays are going. Move him to ILB.
I know, it’s not the flashy move fans like to see, but it could work out.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:25 pm
The part that stood out to me was “pursuit is countered by a lack of play recognition/patience that can place him in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
Sounds like a “perfect” fit for the current Bowles defense, if status quo is the goal.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:40 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
Hill-Green didn’t even receive a combine invitation.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
What’s ideal? Trade back 5 slots and still get DE Howell + and extra pick. Use that and the #46 pick to trade back into the late 1st round to get CJ Allen ILB.
What happened the last time the Bucs did something like this and got 2 x Def players in the first round? Sapp and Brooks. I think that turned out pretty good.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
The ILber I really want is Rodriguez. Just a flat out ball hawk with INTs and a master at punching the ball out.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Bonzai says:
“Johnson lacks the strength to play OLB…”
Who the hell is Johnson?
February 19th, 2026 at 9:24 pm
“Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
Hill-Green didn’t even receive a combine invitation.”
That’s because he’s 24-25 lol
He’ll be at the Bama pro day, cheap and ready to play 😅
February 19th, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Or maybe a punter? Licht is bold and savvy in the draft room!
February 19th, 2026 at 10:16 pm
I like Jacob Rodriguez a lot. He always seems to be near the ball. Golday could be had in the 3rd possibly. He’s not the fastest guy but he’s plenty fast enough to cover Tight ends and he hits the hole like a freight train.
My 3 round mock is as follows
1 Howell
2. A.J. Haulcy
3. Rodriguez
February 20th, 2026 at 1:18 am
Yep, ive been saying it….him and Josiah Trotter look good if we miss on Styles
February 20th, 2026 at 3:47 am
It’s time Licht stops drafting Bowles more willing accomplices and starts drafting the most pro ready defensive talent. Let Bowles tailor his scheme to the talent he has. He can’t fail any worse than he did in 2025. He spent last offseason in his “lab” revamping his scheme and we all saw the results. Please try letting the talent be the defensive emphasis a la the Texans. Ryans’ scheme is simple but dominates because of the draft capital they have devoted to their front seven.
That said Lawson is a well-rounded prospect who I think can start week one in 2026 but his injury history has me concerned he won’t make it to the bye week. He has second round tape but I wouldn’t draft him until the third based on his injury history.
Nakobe Dean in FA is another player whose play is fantastic but he is unsignable due to injury expectations. He has missed as many games Jamel Dean in his career. Nakobe was drafted three years after Jamel. I’m all in on drafting the LBs the Bucs need and using FA money and first round picks on proven pass rush.
Anthony Hill Jr is the most dynamic and pro-ready LB in this draft. Reese is raw and Styles is soft. I’d take Hill Jr at 16 but I’m aware he is being mocked later. I don’t think he makes it past the Cowboys at 20 if they don’t get Styles at 12. He has the nasty that the other bigger talents ahead of him lack and his production is almost without compare. Pairing him and Lander Barton from round three in the middle of the Bucs defense could set for a good long time. Hill Jr can start and Barton can be the pass coverage specialist the Bucs have been needing for too many years. CJ Allen and Lawson are more than welcome to join the Bucs as well.
Trotter is going to have a fine NFL career elsewhere hopefully. Getting busted on in coverage is one of the things he does best. He is a control the line of scrimmage prototype but the Bucs need dynamic players in the middle to compensate for the static, stale scheme.
Jacob Rodriguez is too short, small and slow for the NFL. Plus that mustache of his on its own has him clean off my board. Undraftable. I don’t care how many times he watches ‘Rudy.’
February 20th, 2026 at 6:33 am
“” Lawson sounded like he could be one of the Bucs’ next “I Am That Man” candidates at the position.””
I think we need a new catch phrase on the wall inside 1 Buc Place.
February 20th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Hopein1hand. Shame on you. The greatest middle linebacker in history had a mustache that put JRods peach fuzz to shame. And your narrative on his measurables not being up to standards for the NFL show that your analytical skills are sorely lacking. Go back and watch some JRod film. And then go watch some old Dick Butkus film. You’ll never look at a mustache the same way. I promise.
February 20th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Noclue4u..
I don’t think Rodriguez gets out if thec2nd round. Just too productive and teams will fall in love with him in interviews. The guy just gets it.
Hopein2hand..
Go watch 2 or 3 Rodriguez games and get back to us. He can cover, he can tackle and he is the best ballgawk LBer in the draft. He has mastered the art of punching the ball out. He plays hard, is smart and can play in any scheme.
February 20th, 2026 at 10:53 am
Fanofdabucs. If you’re a fan of knocking the ball loose watch some Butkus tape. He’s the best in league history at knocking, punching, and ripping the ball loose. Old school football players seemed better at that art than these newer players.
February 20th, 2026 at 10:54 am
By the looks of it our defense is in the same shape as the GM.
Soggy to say the least.
February 20th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
I’ve watched a lot of games featuring Rodriguez and he sure is fun to watch but his lack of length will be his prime downfall to spot starter/special teams ace. Dick Butkus wasn’t tackling Josh Allen nor Derek Henry nor was he covering modern NFL TEs. Lee Hunter, Romello Height, David Bailey and then Rodriguez are the Texas Tech players that mildly excite me. Lee Hunter would be welcome to join the rotation but not before round three. Same with Height who has a future in the league but it’s like he doesn’t know there is this thing called run defense so he is a multi year project. Same with Bailey, who obviously will be going way earlier, he is young with crazy upside but fresh out of high school raw. The Bucs don’t build pass rushers or even DBs anymore so I’m down on this group of Texas Tech talent who besides Rodriguez, all need a lot of coaching up.
If you want to watch someone who knows how to punch the ball out like no other- watch Akeem Mesidor. He sends balls flying out like blocked punts. He and Bain are both going to be limited by their lack of length as well but not as definitively as the mustachioed one. They are both phenomenally fundamentally sound/well coached prospects so, more than either edge rusher, Jason Taylor is the addition to the Bucs I want to see building the skills of what the Bucs have, draft and otherwise acquire for the front 7 to be as technically sound and balanced vs run and pass as this year’s Miami defense was.
Lander Barton has a lot of quality film to watch. He’ll be one of the best performers in the NFL out of this crop of LBs. He has potential Emmanwori-level impact with his size and athleticism. I don’t think he’ll ever be a pass rushers threat but he can cover anyone and lay the wood. I like players that come in as freshmen and just start wrecking stuff and don’t quit straight through draft day. Anthony Hill Jr, Dylan Thieneman and Lander Barton are three from this class that fit that criterion. They are all welcome and high on my board. Middle of the defense becomes its strength instantly if the Bucs can pick up this trio on day two.
February 20th, 2026 at 7:42 pm
Just relax and have some drinks everybody. It won’t matter who the players are. All pros, hall of famers, current guys, free agents, new draft picks. We have the secret to getting 7 or 8 wins, maybe.