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.