It is never too early to begin watching prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has made the draft the key cog in the machine for the Bucs in terms of roster building and transforming the team itself.
We are going to be covering every position in the draft, but not all of them will be the Bucs’ needs necessarily. But of course, anything is possible for a team, and if not, they will be drafted by a division rival that the Bucs see twice a year.
For this report, we will be discussing a linebacker prospect. The team has enjoyed the leadership and play of Lavonte David for years now, but that chapter may be closing soon. The team will need a linebacker to add to either play beside him or replace him, so this will be a priority position this draft cycle.
With that in mind, here is our report on Alabama’s Justin Jefferson.
Information
Justin Jefferson
Background
Notable Stats from 2025 (minus the Playoff)
Notable PFF Numbers from 2025 (minus the Playoff)
Skills
Player Summary
Justin Jefferson is not going to get the love that his teammate Deontae Lawson will and should, but he is worth your attention. Jefferson is a bit undersized for the position, but he plays with a heart that is well above most linebackers. As a result, he makes up for a lot of his shortcomings with the speed at which he attacks ball carriers, he uses his instincts to be in the right position, and it adds up to him being a good complement in the Crimson Tide defense. Jefferson would be a welcome addition to any linebacker group as they look for someone who can cover sideline to sideline and play with fire.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Justin Jefferson, Linebacker, Alabama
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
