Nobody blocked Rueben Bain Jr. First-year Buccaneers defensive coordinator Larry Foote didn't mince words. "Off the film, if you had to bet, he's going to be a star."
That's a bold assessment for a rookie who hasn't taken a regular-season snap yet. But if you watched even a minute of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' voluntary OTAs this week at the AdventHealth Training Center, you'd understand why Foote said it.
The Miami edge rusher, selected 15th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been a persistent problem for Tampa Bay's offensive line since the start of organized team activities. Bain's get-off is explosive and his hands are violent. Competing against the Buccaneers' starting tackles, including three-time All-Pro Tristan Wirfs, Bain's dominance is notable.
While history shows that many top first-round edge rushers take time to adjust, Tampa Bay's defensive staff are seeing something different.
"Nobody could block him. That was expected," Foote said. But in the NFL, expected and easy are not synonymous.
Bain is part of a broader defensive overhaul orchestrated by general manager Jason Licht during the 2026 draft. After key veteran departures and a dip in pass rush production in 2025, the Buccaneers sought a youth injection and energy boost that Bain embodies. Yet, Bain isn't the only rookie drawing praise.
A Linebacker Bringing Old-School Physicality
Linebacker Josiah Trotter, taken with the 46th overall pick, carries a recognizable name in Philadelphia, where his father, Jeremiah Trotter, played for over a decade. But Josiah is forging his own path in Tampa Bay's pewter and red.
Foote, defensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles, highlighted Trotter's potential.
"He can strike those guys. He's the definition of that Mike linebacker," Foote said.
In an era where linebackers must often cover extensively, Trotter brings throwback physicality. He attacks downhill with speed, plays with strong hands, and embodies the collision nature still present in football.
The Mike linebacker spot has seen rotation since Devin White's departure. Veterans like Alex Anzalone have provided leadership, while SirVocea Dennis has shown flashes but neither has firmly secured the position. With range and instincts, Trotter stands a good chance to start Week 1 if his progression continues.
"I think night and day," Foote remarked about Trotter's growth between OTA sessions. "It raised the bar in that room."
Depth Chart Battles Heating Up
Trotter isn't the only linebacker making waves. Bain, while primarily an edge rusher, offers versatility. "He's a vet. You can line him up all over the place," Foote said.
Such versatility is key in Bowles' defense, known for disguised pressures and multiple looks. Bain can rush from either side, play standing in a two-point stance, or put his hand in the dirt, boasting pass-rush moves that often take rookies into their second year to develop.
Foote also praised Bain's "juice and motor," qualities that contribute to his early success.
However, run defense will dictate the number of snaps he ultimately plays. Tampa Bay allowed too many yards per carry last season, ranking 22nd in that category--a vulnerability in a division featuring standout rushers like Bijan Robinson and opponents who emphasize zone running schemes.
Run-game coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Caldwell emphasized the focus on physicality.
"We're hoping that it's a mindset for us to get back to being a physical front," Caldwell said. "He's a guy that can come downhill, use his hands, and he's a physical presence inside."
Caldwell's remarks referred in part to rookie defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart, a 340-pound fifth-round pick from Clemson. Capehart plays with power, eating double teams and holding his ground to relieve pressure on teammates like Vita Vea.
"The room is really the way you want it to be," Caldwell summarized.
That defensive tackle room combines veterans like Vea, Calijah Kancey, A'Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches with Capehart, who provides a much-needed true nose tackle rotation, strengthening Tampa Bay's run defense.
Versatile Secondary Pieces
The 2026 draft extends beyond the front seven. Fifth-round cornerback Keionte Scott has drawn positive attention for his flexibility.
Defensive backs coach Rashad Johnson called Scott "a chess piece," a nod to the multiple roles he can fill.
"Keionte gives us that chess piece to be able to move him around," Johnson said.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Scott may not be the largest cornerback, but his instincts and ball skills stand out. In a secondary already featuring star safety Antoine Winfield Jr., boundary corner Zyon McCollum, and up-and-comer Benjamin Morrison, Scott adds valuable flexibility as an interchangeable piece in Bowles' disguise-heavy defense.
Mental acuity is also key, and Johnson praised Scott's "mental capacity," an important trait for a complex defensive scheme.
Offense and Special Teams Contributions
Third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst from Georgia State hasn't made as much noise in OTAs--partly due to the depth at wideout. Chris Godwin remains a centerpiece of the passing game, with 2025 second-round pick Emeka Egbuka firmly established as WR2. Jalen McMillan and slot specialist Tez Johnson, who caught 28 passes with five touchdowns last season, also command time.
Hurst is expected to contribute initially on special teams but has a high ceiling. Standing 6-foot-2 with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, he offers contested catch ability and red-zone upside. The Buccaneers view him as a developmental X receiver with potential to challenge for a starting role by the 2027 season.
Along the offensive line, fifth-round guard Billy Schrauth of Notre Dame is working with the second unit. While still refining his pass protection against quick interior rushers, Schrauth brings run-game toughness aligning well with coordinator Zac Robinson's wide-zone scheme.
"You gotta have your hair on fire to run to the ball," Caldwell remarked about the defensive line's mindset--aptly applying to Schrauth's relentless effort.
Patience with Some Developmental Rookies
Not every rookie is expected to be an immediate impact player. Sixth-round tight end Bauer Sharp from LSU, a former NAIA transfer who played only one season of FBS football, is raw but possesses the athletic tools, including 4.58 speed at 242 pounds.
"He's a young person. He's very young," Caldwell noted. "The ceiling is high."
Sharp likely won't contribute significantly in 2026 but developing him into a reliable No. 2 tight end behind Cade Otton by 2028 would be a triumph for Tampa Bay.
Looking Ahead: A Defense Rebuild in Progress
Tampa Bay is quietly rebuilding its defense after a 14th-place finish in points allowed last season, with Antoine Winfield Jr. playing at an All-Pro level. The pass rush produced 39 sacks, but only 22 came from the four-man rush; the rest came on blitzes, underscoring the need for a stronger line presence.
This year's rookies--Bain, Trotter, and Capehart--are injecting youth and versatility, speeding the process of rising competition.
"We really wanna get the best guys on the field at the end of the day," Caldwell said. The promising first impressions from these rookies make that easier.
What to Watch This Season
OTA performances are early and contact limited, but flashes like Bain winning reps against a player of Wirfs' caliber, Trotter's confident communication and positioning, and Scott's fluid positional movement underscore positive momentum.
Foote summed up the rookie promise well: "There's a lot more room for him to grow."
If these rookies are this advanced as of early June, the Buccaneers could field a significantly improved defense come September. Though Tampa Bay enters the season as +5000 long shots for the Super Bowl, this draft class could shift expectations.
The NFL's history is filled with rookie classes that altered a franchise's trajectory, and 2026 might be that year for the Buccaneers.
The true test will begin when training camp opens this July.