What Keionte Scott Does the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Athletic Testing

Scott tested like an elite athlete during the pre-draft process. Sporting a well-defined physique (5-foot-11, 193 pounds), Scott posted a blistering 4.33 40-yard dash (equally impressive 1.53 10-yard split), which might make him the fastest Buccaneer on the roster. That speed shows up everywhere, from propelling himself when triggering downhill and blitzing to pursuit in the run and pass game. He jumped excellent numbers as well, hitting marks of 34” in the vertical and 10-foot-3 in the broad jump. Overall, his Relative Athletic Score of 9.70 placed him in the top 100 cornerbacks for RAS since 1987.

What Type of Player Is Keionte Scott?

He took a while to find his fit, but Scott’s 2025 season provided the window into his NFL future — and Jason Licht gazed through it to see a perfect fit in Todd Bowles’s defense. Scott is a savvy hellraiser who plays with infectious energy as a run enforcer and blitzer. He has the uncanny ability to both slip blocks or take on receivers and running backs head on to impact plays behind the line of scrimmage. He’s extremely talented at rushing the passer, as evidenced by his whopping FIVE sacks as a cornerback, which Bowles will be positively giddy about. The quick twitch, hot motor, and change of direction ability make him a reliable screen defender and run pursuer, as he showcased a knack for snuffing out the ground game before it could even get started. His intelligence and decisiveness shine as rare gifts, as he seldom guesses about what’s happening or where a play is going to go. That all said, Scott is a 25-year-old rookie with one season of truly exceptional production, and that came in a pretty specialized role. Scott has smooth foot but tight hips, which creates liability when working backwards and limits his downfield potential.

Conclusion

The Bucs might envision Scott as former Bowles favorite Deone Bucannon at worst and Texans nickel Jalen Pitre at best. They both gained notoriety as STAR defenders who bounce between nickel, linebacker, and safety spots. If it works out, Scott will continue to bulk up a typically immovable run defense, which Tampa has deeply committed to improving after a down 2025 season. His A+ football character and demeanor continue the energy revitalization as well, which matches up with other draft picks Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter. What do you think, Bucs Nation? Let us know below.