Will The Next Derrick Brooks Continue The Succession Of Standout Bucs Linebackers?
March 30th, 2026
Pitt LB Kyle Louis.
Early in his career, Lavonte David was often called the next Derrick Brooks. He was that man.
Brooks was famous on and off the field. A total terror on the field — just ask Tory Holt’s ribs — and off with all his charity work.
David was as fierce and also charitable. Brooks and David were the pinnacles of professional football players. But the two never really had a direct connection in the sense that there was a three-season gap from when Brooks last played for Tampa Bay and David snapped on the chin strap for the Bucs.
Now that David is retired, might the latest next Brooks be selected by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht?
Joe is a huge, huge fan of ESPN draft analyst Louis Riddick. The guy is so smart and always brings a fresh observation to player analysis.
Riddick is a former NFL defensive back (played for Bill Belichick and Nick Saban in Cleveland) and was a scout and later personnel executive under Howie Roseman in Philadelphia.
Also a personnel suit under Roseman was Jason Licht. So it wouldn’t shock Joe if Licht might have a similar eval of an ACC linebacker.
Joe gives Riddick a bit of slack because he is a big-time Pitt homer. That’s where he played and went ot college. But for Riddick to throw around the name of a Bucs legend, a Hall of Fame linebacker, with the following college linebacker got Joe to pay attention.
Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis is expected to be a second-day draft pick. The crowd at WalterFootball.com actually has Louis ranked as the No. 3 off-the-ball linebacker behind Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.
Louis is known for his speed, his pass coverage skills and his “dangerous” ability to blitz. Louis ran a 4.53-second 40 yard dash at the combine. Compare that with David who ran a 4.65 40 at his combine. Brooks was reported to have run a 40 in 4.45.
In the last two seasons for Pitt, Louis has 24 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 10 sacks.
Some 24 tackles for loss in two years sure sounds like David.
If a guy like Riddick thinks Louis is the next Brooks, Joe’s antennae are at full extension.
(In the video below, Louis is No. 9.)
Going to keep saying it…in a world where everyone wants a “comp”, this young man is gonna be like the great LB Derrick Brooks. ✍🏾 https://t.co/QRhgXrR7vX
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 29, 2026
Are we sleeping on Pitt LB Kyle Louis in the Draft? 🤔
Since 2024:
182 total tackles
31 TFL/no gain (1st)
10 sacks
50 QB pressures (1st)
6 INTsRun def grade: 85.4
Passer rating when targeted: 56
Coverage grade: 83.1
pic.twitter.com/x0PfpVp0se— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 19, 2026
March 30th, 2026 at 5:28 am
A couple of JBFers mentioned Kyle Pitts in other articles, and I was impressed on looking at several of his draft profiles. Looks to be too under-sized (6’0″ & 220 lbs) to be a MLB, but he looks like a solid potential replacement for LVD or maybe as a Safety down the line.
Two of the ‘strengths’ that impressed me the most were: (1) ‘Runs with receivers like a CB in man coverage; and (2) ‘Can burst and grab anything that is in his area’. That’s exactly what we need much more of in this defense.
I’d still prefer to draft a beastly NT/DT in Rnd 1 then a starting ILB in Rnd 2 because I think that’d make the most difference to improving this year’s defense IMO. BUT … if no suitable NT/DT is there (high quality Vea replacement down the line), wouldn’t mind at all drafting an ILB & a CB OR even 2 ILBs in the Top-2 Rnds. That’s where the TALENT sits in terms of being starter-capable right now, and I think that’s what we need right now.
March 30th, 2026 at 5:31 am
Hmmm, how about Kyle LOUIS instead of Kyle Pitts. (Actually though, wouldn’t have minded signing him either).
March 30th, 2026 at 5:31 am
Sounds like he covers too good for a Todd Bowles defense.
March 30th, 2026 at 5:37 am
Hey Defense Rules,
Drafting a NT/DT would make little difference this season. Vea, Kancey, and even Robinson will be out ahead of him. DT would be so dumb. But if it’s the best player on the board, I’m in.
We have a major gaping hole at ILB next to Anzalone. We need depth/starter at L edge.
March 30th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Love the tape-He is fast and can cover.
March 30th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Kyle Louis would be perfect for floating in and out of the box, and giving us that athleticism in the middle that our defense needs.
Moneybacker/$LB!!
March 30th, 2026 at 8:13 am
We heard the same do do about another Pittsburgh LB Dennis. Not buying the hype.
March 30th, 2026 at 8:23 am
ILB maybe Licht should draft 3 who knows how many will be misses. He has given no effort into this position. White and Dennis were failures except for two seasons, David was not his pick. Licht hasn’t proven he can pass rushers or inside linebackers
March 30th, 2026 at 8:26 am
and he rushes the Passer? Hmmmm
March 30th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Put him on tbe board
March 30th, 2026 at 8:40 am
Cosmo … ‘Drafting a NT/DT would make little difference this season. Vea, Kancey, and even Robinson will be out ahead of him. DT would be so dumb. But if it’s the best player on the board, I’m in.’
We lost Gaines & Hall, but added Robinson. And we have Elijah Roberts from last season (6’4″ & 295 lbs). We’re still down ‘one big guy’ (Gaines replacement). And folks forget that Gaines was Vea’s ‘rotational buddy’. Vea got a career-high 763 def snaps last season, while Gaines added another 369 def snaps (our defense logged a total of 1044 def snaps, which is about what Vea & Gaines got together).
Plus Vea, Robinson & Kancey will all be free agents next season. Yup, just about our whole DLine. Vea will be 32 next season; Robinson will also be 32; and Kancey, unless he stays on the field this year, will be gone. Bucs desperately NEED to grab a beastly NT/DT to rotate in with Vea (and Robinson) and possibly replace 1 or the other next season.
March 30th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Agree wit DR, a DT/NT is first on the list if one is available and worth a 1st round selection. Need players in the rotation especially with the Flroida heat and possible injuries!
March 30th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Did someone just compare SVD to Louis, just because they played at the same school? Talk about some lazy crap. Geez
Dennis was a late 5th round pick. Louis is a 2nd rounder, only due to his size. If he was 2 inches taller and 10 lbs heavier, he would be a first round lock.
His production and play making ability to very evident on tape. No comparisons at all.
March 30th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Lets stay away from Pitt and Washington players. There are a lot of other D1 programs…
March 30th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Absolutely don’t want Kyle Louis. CJ Allen, Rodriguez or Hill if Styles isn’t there at #15 (don’t expect him to get past 10).
March 30th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Something tells me JL is going to shock the world AGAIN and draft Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon TE. If not, he will trade back into the early 20s and what ever team drafts at 15, will select Sadiq. I’d be ok with either scenario.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:01 am
He may not be done growing yet. I love the undersized Brooks lit people up all the time because his mass was lower to the ground but really just a good football player. The measureables only get ya so far, the heart comes out on film.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Don’t want a runt ILB from Pitt. He’s 220 at 6’1″ which means he’s really 6ft 200lbs. No thanks!
March 30th, 2026 at 9:30 am
“We lost Gaines & Hall, but added Robinson. And we have Elijah Roberts from last season (6’4″ & 295 lbs). We’re still down ‘one big guy’ (Gaines replacement).”
Elijah Simmons & Jayson Jones, that’s 2 really big guys especially considering Gaines was just depth and special teams.
It’s not that dire, it’s important, but not more important than addressing areas we need more bodies and talent. Namely, ILB & CB
“Don’t want a runt ILB from Pitt. He’s 220 at 6’1″ which means he’s really 6ft 200lbs. No thanks!”
An inch shorter than Lavonte.
13lbs lighter than Lavonte.
Probably a half step quicker than Lavonte.
Bigger hands than Lavonte.
Does everything we’ve been needing in the middle of the defense, the Anti-KJ Britt
Sit this one out.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Hodad:
Bet you were upset when the Bucs drafted that “runt” LBer from FSU that was 6’0 225lbers.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:21 am
Actually we need 2 Inside Linebackers
Anzalone is a bridge guy, he’s good for a few years at most
CJ Allen is a natural Mike LB, was calling the defense at Georgia as a true freshman
He will be a day one starter, when l see him, l see a 21 year old Hardy Nickerson
But, we also need an off ball linebacker, Kyle Louis can be the man
He’s the best coverage linebacker in this draft
But he has to be coached up to be a 3 down linebacker
I wish we could draft CJ Allen and Kyle Louis
March 30th, 2026 at 10:26 am
All I know is Dennis was hyped as the next Brooks also, guess what, there’s only one Derrick Brooks. Dennis wasn’t it, and my guess is this kid couldn’t hold his jock strap either. Keep drinking the kool-aid.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:29 am
“Bet you were upset when the Bucs drafted that “runt” LBer from FSU that was 6’0 225lbers.”
For what it’s worth, Lavonte David is only an inch taller and 13 pounds heavier than Louis. Louis is probably a step faster and as good a cover LB there is in this entire draft class.
182 total tackles, 24 TFLs, 10 sacks, 6 Ints, 10 PBUs and 3 forced fumbles in the last 2 years/24 games?!
Yea, we could use some of that in Tampa.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:33 am
I hate this time of year because it’s when everyone discovers your favorite players you thought your team could get in the 3rd round. Now you realize it’s no longer realistic.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:38 am
All those numbers are meaningless. Does he have Derrick’s drive? Heart? Durability? Leadership skills? Draft comps are stupid. It takes years to be DB55. If even took Derrick years to be DB55.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
There is no next Derrick Brooks just like there is no next Mike Evans.
And if DB55 had been unfortunate enough to endure the Bowles Experience, he would never have made the hall of fame or any other hall.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
If he’s that good, why wait.
March 30th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Draft players not needs. Looks like an excellent player to me
March 30th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Why do t you draft Allen, Rodriquez or Hill. If you can’t then get Golday.
March 30th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Even Todd gets it that we need to get bigger. Insisting on an undersized LB does not seem like the plan, especially with all the choices available. Are you trying to sabotage Todd? Doesn’t he have enough issues?
We need to draft 2 ILB, DT, and a corner early. It would be great if the PS guys grew up during the off season, but usually you get the quality guys from the draft. We have several other holes to fill along with quality depth to add everywhere. You have a lot of work to do JL.