Buccaneers’ rookie class at the bye: Who has produced for Tampa Bay in 2026?

Through the midpoint of the 2026 season, the Buccaneers are sitting third in the NFC South at 3-6, while the Panthers hold first place at 3-5. In their annual bye-week check-in, Tampa Bay pointed to multiple first-year players who have turned early snaps into measurable production.

Inside linebacker Josiah Trotter has been the most consistent rookie presence on defense, logging 452 defensive snaps (82.18%). He leads Tampa Bay with 70 tackles this season and has produced in each of his first eight games played, with the team noting that his tackle volume has already climbed to franchise-best territory for the first nine career games played.

Nickelback Keionte Scott has taken ownership of Tampa Bay’s nickel role, appearing in 349 defensive snaps (63.45%). The team reported Scott is tied with Caleb Downs for the most defensive stops (14) among rookie defensive backs, and it described his speed-and-urgency style as central to how he closes plays near the line of scrimmage.

On the defensive front, first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. has recorded 248 defensive snaps (45.09%) while continuing his NFL learning curve. Tampa Bay’s review credited Bain with a sack against Aaron Rodgers in Week Six, and it listed his totals at 10 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, and a pass defensed.

The Buccaneers also highlighted tight end Ted Hurst III and rookie Bauer Sharp as part of their offense and special teams rotation. Tampa Bay said Hurst has 168 receiving yards on 11 catches with a touchdown, while Sharp has been used primarily as a blocker on offense and has logged 65 offensive snaps (11%), along with 166 special-teams snaps (67.76%).

Not every rookie has seen the field yet. Tampa Bay reported that fifth-round selections DeMonte Capehart and Billy Schrauth have not logged any snaps in 2026 and have spent time on the inactive list, indicating depth value without on-field production so far.