Scott Smith: LB Nakobe Dean

In my first mock draft of 2026, which was posted last week, I gave the Buccaneers Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at pick number 15 in the first round. The more draft content I consume through podcasts and other mock drafts, however, I’m starting to wonder if Styles will actually still be on the board when the Bucs are on the clock. Either way, it sure seems like a position the Bucs will want to address in some manner on draft weekend in April.

That said, I don’t think any hopes of landing a linebacker in the draft should preclude the Buccaneers from also seeing if free agency can provide an option. I would argue (as I did in this Roundtable) that simply by the number of linebackers the Bucs currently have under contract for 2026 there is a need for multiple additions to the group. That will be particularly true of David decides to close out his marvelous career after 14 seasons.

Fortunately, while this may not be the most exciting class of potential free agents there are a number of intriguing linebackers who could hit the market from the Devins Bush and Lloyd to Philly’s Nakobe Dean, the Chiefs’ Leo Chanel and the Falcons’ Kaden Ellis. Of that group, the one I personally find most interesting is Dean, who the Eagles drafted out of their defensive farm system, the University of Georgia in the third round in 2022.

Dean admittedly had some unfortunately injury luck during the run of his initial NFL contract. He missed 12 games in 2023 with foot injuries and then sustained a patellar tendon injury in the 2024 playoffs that caused him to miss about half of last season. But he was a full-time starter in 2024 and got some Comeback Player of the Year votes after tallying 128 tackles, 3.0 sacks and one interception on one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Coming out of Georgia in 2022, Dean was considered a speedy and well-rounded linebacker prospect who tackled well, was a very strong blitzer and had good man coverage skills. He lasted until the third round almost certainly because, at 5-11 and 229 pounds, he was considered somewhat “unsized.” I don’t think that would be a concern for the Buccaneers, who got decades of Hall of Fame-caliber linebacker play from supposedly undersized prospects Derrick Brooks and David.

I think the Buccaneers could really use the infusion of speed that Dean would bring to the middle of their defense, and I’m certain Todd Bowles would take advantage of his elite-level blitzing skills. Pair him with another linebacker from the draft with strong coverage skills and you could go a long way towards correcting the issues the Bucs’ defense had covering the middle of the field in 2025. Of course, like almost all the free agents we see on top-50 lists in February, he could re-sign with his current team before ever hitting the market. If he does make it to free agency, though, I’m hopeful that the volume of ‘backers available to teams could make it easier to strike a deal that is palatable to both the player and the team.

Brianna Dix: RB Kenneth Walker III

I thought about Devin Lloyd, who was a playmaker on the Jaguars’ defense including a pick-six of Patrick Mahomes, but since Scott chose a linebacker, I opted for another position group considering how deep the 2026 draft class is at off-ball linebacker. If money was no option, in terms of value, I would take Seahawks’ running back Kenneth Walker III. He rushed for 1,027 yards during the regular season in 2025 and was named the Super Bowl MVP.

In March, Rachaad White is an unrestricted free agent and Sean Tucker is a restricted free agent. The Bucs need to bolster the room and find the missing link to a one-two punch with Bucky Irving. Walker has the build to handle a full workload and runs with impressive body control. He finishes runs with power and possesses elite one-cut talent and understands how to adjust the tempo of his runs. With short-area quickness and burst through the hole, he would elevate the Bucs’ running back room.

Irving is elusive and can make defenders miss with rare lateral cuts and panoramic vision of the angles linebackers will take. Having a larger back in the room like Walker would help create additional opportunities for Irving to exploit as Walker pounds between the tackles. Walker could take on the goal-line and short-yardage situations and would add another element to the Bucs’ ground game. Sure, defense is an overarching need for Tampa Bay – notably at inside linebacker and edge – but the club needs an ignitor at running back to help Irving spark the running game in 2026. Walker has more straight-line speed than expected for his size and has the burst to beat defenders to the edge. He is a physical back that gives his all on the field. Having another weapon for defenses to have to account for would bode well for the offense and his incorporation would help open up play-action.

Gabriel Kahaian: LB Devin Lloyd

I’m taking a similar approach to Scott by targeting another member of the 2022 draft class to add depth in the linebacker room. Like Bri mentioned before, I have my sights set on Devin Lloyd.

Lloyd blossomed into the Pro-Bowl linebacker the Jacksonville Jaguars envisioned when they selected him in the first round four years earlier. He has always been an excellent run defender, but Jacksonville elected to decline his fifth-year option heading into last season. Lloyd put it all together in a breakout 2025 season, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. He took major strides in his pass coverage abilities, securing five interceptions and defending seven passes, along with a 99-yard pick-six. His 81.1 coverage grade ranked third out of all eligible linebackers on PFF in 2025. Additionally, Lloyd is effective as a pass rusher with both his speed and athleticism, providing an air of unease before every snap. Even if Lavonte David decides to return for another season or the Bucs target a rookie in April, the addition of Lloyd would inject a jolt of energy into the front seven that could pay dividends for years to follow.

Skeptics may note that Lloyd’s production came in a contract year, raising concerns about committing around $18 million per year based on a single dominant campaign. If you take a look at his trajectory, Lloyd has steadily improved every year he has been a pro. I see no reason why he could not replicate last season’s success in Todd Bowles’ system and provide a long-term answer at the MIKE position. If I’m spending big on one player, Lloyd is my guy.