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.