Bucs pass-rush setup for success with Miami duo from NFL Draft

By selecting Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott, Tampa Bay is bringing in two defenders who aren’t just familiar with each other; they’ve already proven they can create chaos together. As teammates at Miami, the duo developed a natural feel for attacking protections from multiple levels of the defense, something that could translate quickly into Todd Bowles’ system.

Scott racked up five sacks in 2025, an eye-popping number for a defensive back, and a lot of that production came working off Bain’s presence on the edge.

While Bain was doing the heavy lifting by drawing attention with his power, burst, and relentless motor, Scott consistently found ways to capitalize. Whether it was timing a blitz off the edge or slipping through a crease created by Bain occupying blockers, the two played off each other in a way that stressed offenses snap after snap.

Bain projects as an immediate tone-setter on the defensive line. Despite the ongoing talk about his “short arms,” his production and play style speak louder as he wins with leverage, bend, and effort, forcing offenses to account for him.

That attention is exactly what can unlock opportunities for others. Enter Scott, who uses his instincts and 4.33 speed to roam the field and fly into the backfield

Todd Bowles has built his defense on pressure from everywhere, and Scott fits that identity perfectly. He’s not just a coverage piece, he’s a weapon. Having already shown he can produce as a blitzer and having done so alongside Bain, who typically lines up on Bain's side of the field, gives the Bucs a unique advantage. There’s already a rhythm there. Scott knows how Bain rushes, when he tends to win, and how to time his own attacks to take advantage of it.

Instead of two rookies learning how to coexist, the Bucs are getting a pair that already understands spacing, timing, and how to manipulate protections together. That can accelerate their impact in a defense that asks a lot of its players, mentally and schematically.

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This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs pass-rush gets a shot in the arm from the NFL Draft