Keionte Scott May Be Better Than You Think
May 1st, 2026
So Matt Miller of BSPN thinks out of the top 46 players drafted, based on convoluted criteria he hatched, the Bucs had three of the best picks, steals and fits in last week’s draft.
The highest on Miller’s board, as you can see here, was Bucs nickel corner Keionte Scott, who Miller was a big fan of entering the draft.
23. Keionte Scott, S/CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 4-116)
My final overall ranking: No. 46Scott somehow fell to Round 4 despite being ranked as a top-50 player on my board. But Tampa Bay picked up the best blitzing cornerback in the draft and a player with starting safety or nickel cornerback traits. Scott’s initial position will be settled in camp, but the Buccaneers announced the selection with him listed at safety. If that’s where he plays, he will likely align opposite Tykee Smith while allowing Antoine Winfield Jr. to be a bit of a rover. There is also an option where Scott replaces Jamel Dean at outside cornerback — something he did at Auburn before finding success in a hybrid nickel role after transferring to Miami.
Stop it! Scott was a mediocre corner at Auburn. Maybe. He’s a nickel corner. Not outside corner, but nickel corner.
And from there, Bucs coach Todd Bowles will use Scott to blitz heavily and to wrap up ballcarriers in the middle of the field.
Scott really does have a nose for ball behind the line of scrimmage. Last year, he had 13 tackles for loss at The U.
@thenevinshapiroshow Keionte Scott is teaming up with a familiar face in Tampa Him and Rueben Bain on the same defense is not a site that other teams want to see They did it in college and they’re prepared to do it again in the NFL Is Tampa gonna be a problem for teams next year? What will the Buccaneers record be? Comment above👆🏻♬ original sound – The Nevin Shapiro Show
May 1st, 2026 at 9:10 am
Hes a dawg and a ball hawk. Please use him accordingly
May 1st, 2026 at 9:13 am
When you play in the 4-2-5 as much as we do, having a nickel that can tackle, cover the first 2 levels of the defense, plays with physicality and bring pressure as a blitzer in the box, you have a player like Scott that is as valuable as a 3rd ILB.
Can’t wait to see how he gets used in-scheme and I’m thinking Scott is going to play that gray area like Whitehead and what we thought we’d get out of Keanu Neal in ’22 or Deone Bucannon back in ’19. The latter made a name for himself after being drafted by the Cardinals and going from safety to playing LB in a hybridized role. Prowling the box, covering the flats, and erasing YAC opportunities on screens.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:25 am
Keionte Scott will be a 25 year old rookie
He’s not as raw as a young guy like Josiah Trotter
Scott is well traveled, dude been around
He knows the game of football, he’s not a spring chick
He will be able to step in day one
May 1st, 2026 at 9:34 am
just put him in position to do what he does best!!!!
i think he’ll be used like SMB…but Scott is more physical…he’ll cover the slot wr and blitz from the nickel
GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2026 at 9:39 am
This guy is Really going to get a chance to have a Big Impact on improving that Putrid Pass Defense. There are going to be what 7 New players on D? Can do nothing but Help. Love the Miami guys attitudes addition to this lifeless Defense. Go Bucs!!
May 1st, 2026 at 9:42 am
Bowles is the DB whisperer
May 1st, 2026 at 9:48 am
This guy looks to be the real deal. He is sorely needed in th Bucs secondary, I know that. I hope he can start at nickel. That means Parrish will move to one of the outside corner positions. I don’t believe either McColumn or Morrison are starting caliber corners. I still think we need to get one more corner that can start. Yes I hope Scott is the real deal!!
May 1st, 2026 at 9:50 am
Scott will be the nickle there is no denying that but you stop it joe he absolutely could develop into an outside corner just like your crush parish is looking to do.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:51 am
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘When you play in the 4-2-5 as much as we do …’
Do we really play a 4-2-5 or do we play a 2-4-5 WBL? I guess it comes down to ‘Is an OLB a DE or is he a LB?’ Personally I think that’s been our problem: Bowles has been putting only 2 DLinemen on the field far too often. And then we wonder why our pass rush sucks. And oh ya, why our Run Defense gave up 4.3 YPC last season, far too many explosive runs, and why our RedZone TD Percentage Allowed ballooned to 69.8%.
Winn Dixie gave us the answer: ‘Where’s the beef?’ We weren’t big enough and we weren’t nasty enough. And oh ya, we weren’t numerous enough up-front. Took this coaching staff 4 years to figure out that losing beastly DLinemen like Suh is detrimental. This idea of ‘going light’ (drafting DLinemen like Hall & Kancey instead of true beasts like Suh) doesn’t work IMO unless your DLine has enough beef to compensate. Ours didn’t, and our defense has gone downhill these past 2 years especially.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:52 am
He ran a 4.33. He’s an elite athlete.
Josh Parrish will start at outside CB.
Scott will get the chance to start at nickle.
Morrison will backup Zion and Parrish.
We are still very thin at CB.
I really hope we find 3 more corners.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:52 am
Joe, you forgot to mention his 5 sacks.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:54 am
Keionte Scott could be a better SS than Nickel.
I’m not really sold on Tykee Smith at SS
He left too many plays on the field last season
He missed too many tackles
May 1st, 2026 at 9:59 am
Honestly…he reminds me of John Lynch a little.
He’ll have to do more than blitz, otherwise teams will know a blitz is coming when he’s on the field. I can see him playing as a nickle…and as a safety at times.
He may not be an edge guy, but he is a pass rusher.
This kid, as he develops, may become one of the best. He has room for growth, so he’s going to need some developmental time, but I agree with Lakeland…Scott wil contribut day one.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:01 am
The U is all about nassty, and we got two of their top defenders that will show that on the field.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:04 am
I agree Defense Rules
The 4-2-5 was our weakness
It left us too thin up front with Vita and an undersized DT
And we had undersized OLB, especially Hassan Reddick
And undersized ILB, both LVD and Dennis
Small Safeties, we were too small and weak
But with our new additions to the defense
I think a 4-2-5 will be a more efficient defense
For both, against the run as well as against the pass
May 1st, 2026 at 10:08 am
A 4-2-5 defense with Keionte Scott as the ” Rover”
It’s a versatile defense, capable of showing different looks
May 1st, 2026 at 10:14 am
Teacherman Says:
.”I really hope we find 3 more corners”
That would be 7 corners, when 6 is normally the number.
Currently, the projected opening day roster would be something like this:
Offense (23–24 Players)
Quarterbacks (2): Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning
Running Backs (3-4): Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker, Josh Williams
Wide Receivers (6-7): Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, David Sills
Tight Ends (4): Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Bauer Sharp
Offensive Linemen (8-9): Tristan Wirfs (T), Ben Bredeson (G), Graham Barton (C), Cody Mauch (G), Luke Goedeke (T), Ben Chukwuma (T), Elijah Klein (G), Dan Feeney (G), Billy Schrauth (G)
Defense (26–27 Players)
Defensive Line (5-6): Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Nash Hutmacher, DeMonte Capehart
Outside Linebackers (5-6): Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., Chris Braswell, Anthony Nelson, Mohamed Kamara, David Walker
Inside Linebackers (4): Josiah Trotter, SirVocea Dennis, Alex Anzalone, Christian Rozeboom
Cornerbacks (6): Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott, Josh Hayes, Chase Lucas
Safeties (4-5): Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Miles Killebrew, J.J. Roberts
Specialists (3 Players)Kicker: Chase McLaughlinPunter: Riley DixonLong Snapper: Evan Deckers
All of this is very subject to change at the moment, of course. For example, if Scott replaces one of the safeties , they could save a 6th CB spot to use on another position if the need to.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:26 am
The defensive draft picks and the defensive free agents signings
Are more of a fit for the 4-2-5 defense than a 2-4-5 defense
Rueben Bain plays better with his hand n the dirt
Josiah Trotter is a solid 4-3 MIKE, he’s a run stuffing MIKE
His strength is blitzing the QB, shooting gaps
Keionte Scott strength is playing close to the LOS (Rover)
Blitzing the QB, shooting gaps, covering RB and TE
May 1st, 2026 at 10:47 am
“Do we really play a 4-2-5 or do we play a 2-4-5 WBL? I guess it comes down to ‘Is an OLB a DE or is he a LB?”
It’s lends to the plurality of our defense, DR.
We get too caught up on the positional designation of the guys on the LOS. That’s why I push back on the “is it a 3-4 or a 4-3” because one or two personnel changes it can be either. Bring a 3rd DLmen on the interior with 5 men on the LOS, it’s our Bear front with an actual 0-tech over the center.
Our OLBs function as OLBs AND DEs, but technically the player positioned inside of our OLBs play the role of DTs. Vita isn’t lining up over the C on a consistent basis, but positionally is regarded as a nose tackle. Sometimes Vita shades the outside shoulder of a guard to cap control and in pass situations may line up head on with the guard to push the pocket.
I believe our lapses in our historically sound run defense, is that we haven’t had the juice at LB to help direct traffic partly because we haven’t had 2 interior 2-gappers or “beef” as you refer to it. Let’s be clear, I’ve been agreeing on needing to get bigger on the inside to help, but I think with the addition of guys like Anazlone and especially Trotter, we’ve revitalized our the psychality and athleticism at off-ball ILB.
The majority of Keionte Scotts’ snaps at Miami where out of a 4-2-5 alignment, which allowed him to see the field on 58%(561 reps) on a Miami defense that played 1,005 snaps.
The beauty of a 4-2-5 and having a big, physical nickel like Scott is you don’t lose what you’d have in a 3rd off-ball LBer in a tradtional 4-3 in run support and you can get that extra defender that can play support in the box while helping contain any route concept designed to breach the 2nd level.
Exactly why Bowles told Scott he’d fit in our scheme like a glove, because we’ll be asking him to do exactly what he did at The U out of the same alignment. Kind of helps straighten out w/e learning curve Scott would have transitioning to the pro game. Still, with new teammates and a higher level of compeition as a pro there’ll still be a curve, but in my opinion Scotts’ got the tools to transtion as well as Jacob Parrish did.
4-2-5 isn’t a “weakness” it’s a reaction to NFL offenses running spread/rpo-style offenses that gained their popularity for the better part of the last 2 decades.
May 1st, 2026 at 11:10 am
Of all the additions to our team since the season ended, I’m most excited about seeing Scott play, and Bain is a very close second.
Scott is selfless and vicious. In his highlight reels, I saw take on multiple blockers, including O-linemen, in order to allow others to make the tackle.
THAT is a football player!
May 1st, 2026 at 11:21 am
Scott is the real deal. Excellent tackler, and he wraps up. So do Bain and Trotter
May 1st, 2026 at 11:22 am
“Of all the additions to our team since the season ended, I’m most excited about seeing Scott play, and Bain is a very close second.”
Same, loved the Bain pick, but Scotts’ my favorite. It’s like we called up ACME co. and ordered human dynamite
May 1st, 2026 at 11:31 am
I remember when the Bucs drafted T. Smith.
I felt the same way then as I do now. We got Scott in round #4. That is a steal of a deal my friends.
I’m a Canes fan and I can’t believe the Bucs got two of my favorite players…
Awesome.
May 1st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Keionte Scott is a (Rover)
He’s a hybrid SS/SLB/CB, all in one
He don’t belong 20-25 yards upfield covering a WR
He belongs close to the Line of Scrimmage
Blitzing the QB, shooting gaps, covering crossing routes
That’s where you get his best play, his highest production
I think Todd Bowles will be running a 4-2-5 defense the majority of the time
May 1st, 2026 at 11:45 am
He fits Todd’s defense perfectly. The fact that he’s played basically every position except on the DL is going to work in his favor. Can’t wait to see him line up as a LB on sneaky blitzes
May 1st, 2026 at 11:54 am
“I think Todd Bowles will be running a 4-2-5 defense the majority of the time”
We already do and did in Tykees’ rookie season.
Did it with Parrish last year, and we’ll run it as much with Scott.
Parrish had the 8th highest snap share of our total 1,044 snaps last season playing 741(71%) defensive snaps on top of 127 special team snaps. That’s alot for rookie, let alone a “part-time” nickel back.
May 1st, 2026 at 11:55 am
He’s the perfect nickel and can play S as well.
Lakeland mentioned Tykee not playing well. Completely disagree with that. I think an argument can be made Tykee was the best player on defense last year. AW jr, on the other hand, was slow to diagnose plays, took some terrible angles and missed tackles the last 2 years.
I think AW Jr needs a big year this season or it might be time to find his replacement and get rid of that huge cap hit.
Maybe Scott becomes his replacement.
May 1st, 2026 at 11:59 am
Got some extra time on my hands this week, wife is out of town, me and the dog are on brocation. So, some of my extra time has been spent reading more articles and commments on Joe Buc. Lots of football knowledge on this site. I appreciate the thorough defense breakdowns by WBL, DD and others. And the opening day roster projections by Bonzai.
May 1st, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Tykee Smith probably was the best player on our defense last year
But that’s not saying much
I really think every player on our defense could have played better.
May 1st, 2026 at 12:08 pm
So we have a 4.33 running linebacker/safety hybrid. Beautiful. Exactly what we need against great TE’s or speedy RB’s like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs!
May 1st, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Tykee Smith is a dawg!!!!…plyed most of the season with a bum shoulder
his play dropped off after injures just like baker lol….
GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Until the scheme changes, this pass defense is going to get LIT UP every week!!!
SEVEN YEARS of this SADDDDDD Pass defense, nothing is going to change. The middle of the field is wide open
9 months until Todd Blows REIGN OF TERROR on this franchise is OVER!!!!
May 1st, 2026 at 12:40 pm
813bucboi
But he didn’t play good last season
Just as the team didn’t play good
Every player was part of the stench
May 1st, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Bowles’ defense is much more effective with great players executing it and a pass rush.
May 1st, 2026 at 12:55 pm
If dude is a great blitzer, then Todd won’t have dude blitz because he asks him to do “other things.”
May 1st, 2026 at 1:30 pm
“If dude is a great blitzer, then Todd won’t have dude blitz because he asks him to do “other things.””
No LBer anywhere at any level of football is a “blitz only” LBer, gotta try a little harder next time.
May 1st, 2026 at 1:46 pm
“Do me a favor Keionte, go ahead and blitz straight into the middle of the OL” – Toad Bowels
May 1st, 2026 at 2:42 pm
WBL maybe not but Parsons is close to doing that?
May 1st, 2026 at 3:03 pm
I doubt he’s better than I think, because I think he’s gonna be a long time starter.
Unless he’s a head case or uncoachable, this guy will lock up at least our nickel spot.
I think he might be able to play outside, even though he struggled outside before he got to Miami.
He’s fast, he’s fluid, and he’s a willing hitter.
A great pick
May 1st, 2026 at 3:08 pm
“WBL maybe not but Parsons is close to doing that?”
Parsons isn’t an off-ball linebacker, at least not for 2-1st rounders and the money he makes, which reflects his value as an on the ball edge rusher. Atheltic enough to play off ball, but nah no off-ball backer does just 1-thing.
May 1st, 2026 at 3:12 pm
FFS
The base def is a 3-4
Stop all 2-4-5 or 4-2-5 nonsense
May 1st, 2026 at 4:56 pm
if he comes in and unseats morrisson or parrish from jump, that’ll be interesting…because those 2 were high round draftees last season…
will morrissey be the new braswell this year…?,,,that is the question
May 1st, 2026 at 6:28 pm
“The base def is a 3-4
Stop all 2-4-5 or 4-2-5 nonsense“
When the nickel plays 70% of the snaps; your “Base” defense is whatever keeps him on the field.