How To Fix Tackling? Draft Good Tacklers.
March 27th, 2026
Texas ILB Anthony Hill.
Joe likes to mock and throw rocks at the PFF Tribe. It’s largely because of their dumbarse grades and their arrogance. It’s as if they invented the game and can never be wrong.
(If the PFF Tribe had it all figured out like they believe, some NFL team would have bought Cris Collinsworth’s outfit out decades ago.)
Joe can tell you NFL people roar with laughter over these dumbarse grades, specifically their offensive line grades, which are a howl. LOL
But when it comes to stats, “this Joe” very much respects the work of the PFF Tribe. Grades (subjective nonsense) are one thing. Stats (usually black-and-white) are another.
One stat the PFF Tribe compiles is missed tackles. And the PFF Tribe also compiles stats for colleges. So the following is pretty cool.
Daire Carragher of the PFF Tribe documented which inside linebackers in the draft have the fewest missed tackles. (Yes, Joe realizes missed tackles are subjective.) The man with the fewest is a wet dream of Bucs fans but Joe doesn’t think there is a snowball’s chance this guy is on the board when the Bucs pick.
That would be Ohio State’s Sonny Styles.
Now the inside linebacker with the second-fewest missed tackles is Texas linebacker Anthony Hill. And a man who makes tackles is Joe’s kind of defender.
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill’s draft stock isn’t as high as we thought it would be at this time last year, but he still projects as a Day 2 selection with lots to love, including his tackling ability.
Another sensational combine tester, Hill took a clear step forward as a tackler in his final season at Texas. Some subpar outings as a coverage defender have kept his draft stock from encroaching on first-round conversations, but whoever drafts Hill can feel confident they’re getting an “A1” tackler.
Hill … missed just three of his 63 tackling attempts (4.5%), a marked improvement from his 18 missed tackles a year ago. In the run game, Hill is quick to get up close to the line of scrimmage and get active, as proven by his average depth of tackle of just 2.4 yards on rushing plays. He may not stand out as the most physically imposing linebacker, but Hill can pack a punch against NFL caliber offensive linemen and make key plays.
Joe thinks we can all agree that last year the Bucs were a poor tackling team. How that happens with a defensive-minded coach, Joe’s not sure. But it happened.
So what’s the best way to cure this malady? Bring in guys who already display a knack for tackling. This Hill, who only missed three tackles in 2025 playing in the SEC no less, knows how to tackle.
More Anthony Hill boosting here:
Game film of Hill during Texas' 14-7 loss to Ohio St in Wk 1 of 2025 pic.twitter.com/2M5TyTXbgO— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 24, 2026
March 27th, 2026 at 9:03 am
So many articles (rightfully) are calling out needs like fixing tackling, edge rush, line backers, and secondary… yet some commentators want to just focus on Baker. You have no credibility. Zero.
March 27th, 2026 at 9:14 am
wouldnt mind him as a 2nd round pick at all
GO BUCS!!!!
March 27th, 2026 at 9:23 am
JBF … ‘Hill … missed just three of his 63 tackling attempts (4.5%), a marked improvement from his 18 missed tackles a year ago.’
I’m definitely becoming paranoid when it comes to the Bucs. Hill did great this past season (only 3 missed tackles) but HORRIFIC the previous year (18 missed tackles). Doesn’t his previous year concern anyone else?
I’ve seen Joe & other JBFers question whether our newest Edge, Muhammad, is really any good because prior to last year’s 11 sacks (as a part-timer) he’d only had middling results. So why give Hill a pass on his previous years?
Other questions need the drive the train. WHY did he improve so much in 1 year? (was it because he worked his butt off, or because the competition was weaker or because his coach moved him closer to the LOS). And how about his Pass Defense? I’m more concerned about that than anything else. (Opposing QBs often throw against us 70%-80% of the time if our pass coverage sucks).
Styles & Reese won’t be there when we pick at #15. But Georgia’s CJ Allen (6’1″ & 230 lbs) might. And so might Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriquez (6’1″ & 237 lbs). The reality is though that any of the 3 … Hill, Allen or Rodriquez … would be a MAJOR advancement over what we now have. And I think there’s a very good chance that whoever we draft will end up being LVD’s replacement for at least the next 2 years (until Anzalone retires).
March 27th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Well, anyone they draft better be a good tackler because Lord knows they won’t get coached how to do it here.
Ridiculous that the most fundamental and basic part of being a defensive player is not taught by Bowles and his Band of Loser assistants.
Bowles does not teach. Does not motivate. Does not strategize. I know this how? Results on the field.
March 27th, 2026 at 9:39 am
Yes Joe , it seems tackling has been a problem with this defense for a few years now. One does have to scratch their head at this considering we have a defensive HC. I mean this can be easily addressed, it is not rocket science. When the Bucs played the Patriots here in Tampa I was amazed and envious how how the Patriots tackled. I kept saying why can’t we pursue and tackle like that. While not be ing a Bowles detractor, I have lost faith. I mean tackiling does not seem to be addressed as it is an ongoing problem that gets talked about every game every year , but nothing changes. Then, no apparant care for the EDGE GUY needed. At LB we were told Dennis was going to be incredible and he liked the depth at the position?? . Add the fact that apparantly he believes our starting corners are actually good enough to start and you just go, ok Yes I see why ME left. Sorry , but , I can get over the aformentioned along with 3rd and 28. A defensive coach with so many problems on defense and thinking players that could not start on other teams are incredible. Yes, I have lost faith in Bowles and LIcht at this point.
It is hard to be a fan right now
March 27th, 2026 at 9:43 am
Bowles is the bottom of the barrel in teaching fundamentals, devising schemes based on the opponent, game day decision making, having players improve from season to season, etc.
You know and I know once he’s finally fired nobody will hire him as a HC again in this league.
Last season he was fully exposed as a miserable failure. And 2026 will be no different.
March 27th, 2026 at 9:51 am
We don’t tackle to the ground in practice. 69 players on the team and Coach said he couldn’t run a practice during the season because he didn’t have enough players. Soft coach=soft players.
March 27th, 2026 at 9:55 am
And get a rugby coach in here. Those guys and gals know how to wrap up.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Tackling should be taught at the high school level
Most guys are poor tacklers, not from a lack of teaching, but a lack of effort
When Ray Lewis was at Kathleen High in Lakeland, he rarely missed tackles
And his play continued to the Hurricanes and Baltimore Ravens
He never forgot how to tackle, and he never loaf while making a tackle
These Bucs players gives zero effort, loafing, giving up on a play, laziness
March 27th, 2026 at 10:20 am
You teach players to tackle, coaches do that in Pop Warner
When they reach the NFL, tackling shouldn’t be an issue
You can’t blame everything on the coaching staff
You need to hold the players accountable at some point
.
The players should be giving an opportunity to play, to make plays
But if they are not making plays, they should be replaced
The Bucs are notorious for holding onto their garbage draft picks
That’s why we have a problem with our roster every year
March 27th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Styles, Allen, Rodriguez or Hill at ILB picked in the 1st or 2nd rd would be a very good move. No on Golday and Lewis because neither can cover.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Like I been saying for the last 3-4 weeks….
Sean Sullivan also said it in his podcast and it supported my thoughts…
Primary goal is to move up and snag Sonny Styles. He will revamp that LB core and could very next in line of incredible linebackers…
If not:
Round 1 -> Akeem Mesidor (edge)
Round 2 -> Anthony Hill Jr (ILB)
Been watching Hill play for the last 3 years at Clemson. This kid constantly flashes and is an old school tackler…
Round 3 -> Try to get Michael Trigg (TE). If he gone, go for DT or CB
March 27th, 2026 at 10:38 am
I really hope the first 4 rounds we go all defense. This team needs a lot of help on that side of the ball.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:48 am
C.J Allen only missed 20 tackles in his 1,600 snaps at Georgia
That comes from effort, taking the correct angle, and wrapping up
It’s easy for a ILB to miss tackles in space against a speedy RB
That’s where the effort, football IQ comes into play
March 27th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Football 1 … ‘Yes, I have lost faith in Bowles and LIcht at this point. It is hard to be a fan right now’.
BucU … ‘Last season he (Bowles) was fully exposed as a miserable failure. And 2026 will be no different.’
Bucs were incredibly disappointing in the 2nd half of last season, to all of us. We started off 6-2 in the 1st half, so all we had to do was win THREE of our last 9 games to finish 9-8 and make the playoffs (every NFL South team ended with a losing record). But we blew it and finished just as bad as the rest.
Was it Bowles’ fault? From my many years as an Air Force pilot in some great fighter squadrons I figured out quickly that the guy at the top of the organization takes the hit IF the unit doesn’t perform to expectations. He’s the one in the best position to PREVENT that from happening, so he ends up going down with the ship.
I also learned however that in reality it’s never JUST 1 man who’s responsible. In the case of the Head Coach, he’s not the one who blocks, not the one who tackles, not the one who throws passes or defends passes or runs or catches. He’s not even the seasoned field leader responsible for getting other (usually younger) members aligned properly. As the DC, Bowles calls the plays to be sure, but execution requires so much more than JUST calling the perfect formation as we all know.
I say all that because Todd Bowles won’t be the one who keeps us from winning the NFC South this season. IF we’ve got the TALENT (yup, the horses) we’ll have a winning season. IF not, then we won’t. But not just the starting TALENT; the DEPTH also. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL.
How well we draft later next month will determine how well we fill our remaining starting holes & increase our depth. After that it’s just getting these guys to ‘gel’ as a TEAM. We already know that our offense, IF healthy, can be potent. Our defense, IF healthy, SHOULD be able to improve from our #20 ranking last season. Our Special Teams I’m confident will be a LOT better than they were last season.
I have no idea what our final 2026 record will be (neither does anyone else BTW). On looking at our 2026 schedule, I can figure out that we play 9 teams here at home and 8 teams away. The 9 teams we play here at RayJay had a 78-74-1 record LAST season; 5 teams had a winning record, 4 teams had a losing record. The 8 teams we play away had a combined 63-72-1 record LAST season; only 2 teams had a winning record, while 6 teams had a losing record.
Bucs SHOULD have a favorable 2026 schedule (7 teams had winning records last season while 10 teams had losing records). It’ll be interesting to see if we can capitalize on that to win the NFC South crown and MAYBE do some damage in the playoffs.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:55 am
I wouldn’t blame them for picking the highest rated LB on their board with their first three picks in the draft. Thats how horrible the roster is at that position right now.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Just like sacks, Lovie Bowles doesn’t think tackling is important. This has been an ongoing problem for YEARS, since the days of Devin White, the tackle missing machine, yet he was trotted out there as the starter game after game. It’s been tolerated, so that’s what you get.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:00 am
BucsFan81 … ‘I really hope the first 4 rounds we go all defense. This team needs a lot of help on that side of the ball.’
Me too. But I’ll hold my breath every time it’s our turn to pick because Jason has this uncanny ability to try to ‘out-think everyone else’ when it comes to priorities. You know, like by drafting a kicker in the 2nd Rnd?
March 27th, 2026 at 11:03 am
More Buckeyes please
March 27th, 2026 at 11:21 am
This whole tackling thing is ridiculous
We were taught to tackle at 7-8 years old
But now this Bucs fanbase is blaming the coaching staff
For not teaching 22-30 year old how to tackle
It’s ridiculous, it’s makes zero sense, it’s out of touch with reality
Guys are coming into the league, 24-25 years old with children
And they don’t know how to tackle????
This is insane, to say the keast
March 27th, 2026 at 11:24 am
I’m calling Sadiq and then Hill.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Give anyone time under the tutelage of The Genius, and they’ll learn how to take bad angles and whiff just like those who have regressed before them. If edge rush isn’t important because they’re asked to do other things, then tacking must not be very important either, given how that essential skill has devolved over the last four seasons.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:32 am
If you’re going to pamper these guys like this
They don’t need coaches, they need BABYSITTERS
March 27th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Hey DR,
Off-topic of this post, but I thought in year’s past you had mentioned you are ex-Air Force pilot and you just reaffirmed it. One, as an ex-Army medic, thank you for your service; and Two, have you ever checked out Max Afterburner on you tube? He’s an ex-fighter pilot and his YT vids in this current conflict are absolutely awesome. It’s mostly his enthusiasm of the content matter and of course, he loves him some acronyms. 🙂 Anyway, have a great day DR and I appreciate your posts!
March 27th, 2026 at 11:38 am
“You can’t blame everything on the coaching staff
You need to hold the players accountable at some point“
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
March 27th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Football is a sport that requires practice and repetition. The players were complaining last year about the lax walk through practices. The NFL restricts the number of padded practices particularly at the end of the season. Something was definitely missing from the Bucs routine. They came out flat in most of the games. Coaching anyone?
March 27th, 2026 at 11:42 am
The talent on the 2025 Bucs with a McVay or a Shanahan or a Reid or a Harbaugh or an Arians or a Tomlin or even a McCarthy (not to mention many others) was good enough even with injuries to be 11-6 at least. Look what Vrabel did in New England. Look what Coen did in Jacksonville. Ben Johnson in Chicago.
The Bucs suffer from poor coaching. Have suffered from bad coaching. Experts who know football have called this out. The players don’t know what they’re supposed to do or how to do it, so there isn’t any way for them to “play fast without thinking.” Hence, they suck.
And will continue to do so as long as Licht and ownership continue to ignore results.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Anthony Hill Jr. is the pick
March 27th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Bucfan1988
Hill is from Texas. Who were you watching at Clemson?
Hill will most likely be gone by our 2nd round pick at 46. Dallas and others looking at him.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
We need some defensive players that’s for sure but 1.15 is a weird place to pick one based on *value*. I vote we take BPA whoever that is. We may need to move up in the second round to land Hill or Rodriguez. I’m hoping we can trade down in the first since we really need several defensive players and have already proven the 5th round is too late to pick a linebacker.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
D-Rok … ‘have you ever checked out Max Afterburner on you tube?’
Thanks D-Rok, just checked it out. Very interesting. I’d love to know where he’s getting all those videos of Iran & elsewhere.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Oh and D-Rok, you guys (medics) had it a lot harder than we did (they actually paid me to fly fighters, when in actuality I woulld’ve paid them). Nothing but total respect what medics did in combat. Y’all were awesome.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
If we can somehow trade back from #15
*Move off #15 → gain extra Round 2 pick
Late 1st—EDGE Cashius Howell (Age: 22)
* Falls on arm length (Licht won’t care)
* Physical edge setter + pass rush juice
* Todd Bowles gets a real presence
Note: Forces protection adjustments
Round 2—ILB Anthony Hill Jr. (Age: 20)
* 3 missed tackles (SEC, 2025)
* Comp: Bobby Wagner
* Day 1, 3-down starter
Note: Never leaves the field
Round 2—ILB Jacob Rodriguez (Age: 22)
* 7 forced fumbles (FBS leader)
* 86 athleticism score
* Playmaker—coverage is coachable
Note: Turnover generator
March 27th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
I love when non math people mock statistical analysis. The “Subjective nonsense” is where the math breaks into a useable number. Sabermetrics works in a more obvious way for baseball because players spend a lot of game time in statistical isolation. In football its much more of a complicated set of variables. What kind of blocking scheme? What percentage of passing plays vs running plays? What kind of blocking scheme does the team favor for run plays? Is the player immediately left or right strong or weak?
This is still early days for deep football statistics. Baseball stats have been a data rich environment for decades. Football has not. It’s going to take time to get it to the point that baseball has been for decades.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Defense Rules. You have a good feel for the team. As good as anybody. And, I’ve been mad at Bowles, but for a different reason than you. I prefer a more aggressive approach. Like when we were losing to Buffalo by 5 points this year and had 4th and 3 past midfield with 5 minutes to play. Allen was circumcising our defense all night and we punted. They ate the 5 minutes and scored. I was good with firing him that night. He is respected by all and probably as good an x o defensive coach out there. DR. Since you recommended McDonald I’ve been learning more about him. I like him and Rodriguez more than anyone in the draft. Baby fat 325 pound kid with a baby face anchoring Ohio State DLine. Expert splitting double teams and collapsing pockets. Specializes in tackles for loss! Academic All Big 10! This baby will be 345 pounds in a couple of years. Anyway DR. Imagine having a couple of players like those 2. Reckon Bowles would look better? DR. Would we rather throw 41 touchdowns to 16 picks(+25) or 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions (+14)? That is my problem with Coach Bowles. If we can get 2 bada$$ front seven starters he’s gonna look alot better. But he won’t win the big ones unless he gets more aggressive.
March 27th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I forget who mentioned it, but I get horribly jealous watching other teams with great defenses tackle too I’m always like: why can’t we tackle or cover like that? I can think of way too many times that we would have someone in our grasp 5 or 10 yards deep in the backfield only to have him escape only to be caught again and escape again. Sometimes they’d escape a 3rd or 4th time. That’s not just our guys missing tackles. That’s pure unadulterated lack of effort and desire. Before the bye Baker would carry the whole team on his back with sheer effort and maniacal desire. Then even he just lost hope. When White, Evans, and Dean left they sure didn’t let the door hit them in the butt on the way out. LVD was chivalrous about it, but I don’t think he wanted to come back to this pity-party of a team either. Everybody simply quit. The fish stunk from the head down. The BUCS are perfectly capable of tackling for the most part. Except for SVD. They just didn’t care. Eventually that rubbed off on the offense. The tackling on kickoff coverage might as well have just grabbed their ankles instead
March 27th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
D.R. Says:
“Styles & Reese won’t be there when we pick at #15.“
Agree, so trade up!
For the first time in your life, Mr. Licht, take a chance and trade up!
Tired of trading back to acquire draft picks. Draft picks for what? To stay at .500?
Can we please, for once, jump off the conservative train and make a splash when we do?
March 27th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Basics, too funny!!!!!
I was reading something about Clemson right before I typed my comment.
Didn’t even realize I put Clemson for Hill’s college tape 😂😂😂!!
Not awake today yet…
Yesssss, Hill was a stud LB at Texas
March 27th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Badbucs, not basics…
Thanks for catching my screwup
March 27th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
I know this was about ILB but the entire backend has been looking like they have no clue how to make a tackle. I played mostly offense and even I figured out how to make a form tackle before my second season. Some of it is coaching and some is want to. If all you want to do is grab and poke at the ball? I question both. Throwing yourself at someones legs is not tackling either BTW. Wrap up!
I once saw Batman Wood jump over a block and cut around another while pushing the RB out of bounds for a minimal gain. I was standing on that sideline about ten yards away. For a man that size to do that still amazes me.
Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Hill Jr. Is a Must in this Draft
March 27th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
garro- Super cool, man! We could use a Batman Wood or 10.
March 27th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Think many of you would agree that the Texans have the best defense in the league, and Will Anderson Jr. is a major reason why …
So, how did Houston get this man beast?
They TRADED UP 9 SPOTS TO GRAB HIM! That’s how.
But the people here, and Licht for that matter … “Trade back, trade back …”
Do you enjoy losing? Seems that way. You’ve been brainwashed into thinking that always trading back is a good thing.
News flash: It’s Not!
It’s for those who fear taking chances, and think .500 is a good thing.
March 27th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
According to the PFF tribe,
Lavonte David – 19 missed tackles
Christian Rozeboom — 19 missed tackles
SirVoc Dennis- 14 missed tackles
Tykee Smith –11 missed tackles
Alex Anzalone –7 missed tackles
March 27th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Whoa. I didn’t realize we had more missed tackles than any other team in the league. I figured the number was high but that’s just absurd. Diaby, Dennis, and (surprisingly!) Tykee Smith were the worst offenders. We *must* fix that. Even if it means benching players that don’t wrap up.
March 27th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
I remember getting pissed at Zyon after watching him simply dive at ball carriers and try to hit them with his shoulder 2 plays in a row last season. Think he got lucky and it worked but c’mon!
March 27th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
When Houston traded up to draft Will Anderson
They had 12 draft picks, they trade 3 of then, that left them with 9 picks
And they traded their next season first and third
The problem with the Bucs, they never have draft capitol
They don’t trade players, most of them don’t have trade value.
And the ones that do have trade value, they let them walk in free agency
When they’re old and gray
March 27th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Thanks for the compliment, DR!
March 27th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
Trade up for Reese or Styles, or trade up for Hill Jr in Rd 2.
JL must go get this guy if we dont get Styles or Allen
March 27th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
We need a superstar at ILB from this draft period.
March 27th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Little bit. But remember, this guy is 21. If anything, Hill cutting down (significantly) on missed tackles suggests he was either coached up or he learned to tackle properly and produced.
At the end of the day, isn’t that what you want a college kid to do, learn and improve?
March 27th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Exactly right @Lakeland
You have to have the ammo to pull the trigger on a trade. We got nothing for Hall and JTS and we’ll get nothing for Braswell. Nothing for Dean and Evans. No one is spending ’27 picks for ’26. Licht has rapidly fallen into “what have you done for us lately ” territory. Superbowl is ancient history. We’d love to move up for Styles. Oops, nothing to trade.
March 27th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
This is a very key draft for this Franchise similar to when we got Sapp and Brooks.
Fact is our 2 biggest holes in D are Edge1 and ILB1.
They are right there, just have to move around on board.
Do these 2 and we can be ok until CB, TE, and backup Oline are solidified, so we can burn a 3rd rounder and a first next year. Jason Licht … go get our Edge and ILB. Do it for Tampa.
They are right there. Move up twice. Go f@@@@@ get them lol