It’s never too early to start looking at 2026 NFL Draft prospects. General manager Jason Licht has used the draft as a key cog in the Buccaneers’ roster construction and team transformation.
We’ll cover every position in the draft, but not all positions are necessarily a need for the Buccaneers. Of course, anything is possible for a team that, if not, gets picked up by the Buccaneers’ biannual division rival.
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In this report, we’ll discuss the linebacker prospects. The team has enjoyed the leadership and play of Lavonte David for years, but that chapter may soon be over. The team needs a linebacker to complement the play around him or replace him, so that will be a priority position this draft cycle.
With that in mind, here’s our coverage of BYU’s Jack Kelly.
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Jack Kelly
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Height/weight: 6-1 3/8, 242 pounds.
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Previous school: webber state university
background
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High School All-District Second Team
Noteworthy Statistics Starting in 2025 (minus playoffs)
Notable PFF Numbers in 2025 (excluding playoffs)
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PFF running defense rating: 65
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PFF Pass Rush Grade: 77.7
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Missed tackle rate: 22.4%
Skill
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Positional versatility, able to play in midfield and on the edge
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Fly around the field within coverage
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Good coverage
Player summary
Jake Kelly has some outstanding pass-rushing ability compared to most linebackers hanging around the middle of the field. In my opinion, if he struggles in the middle of the field, he can always be a pass rusher. That being said, he’s good at roaming the midfield as he has the speed to get from sideline to sideline and attack the ball carrier out of the backfield. If he can diagnose the game better, he’ll be golden. For now, the bottom line is that he’s a depth safety with potential to be a pass rusher, but his ceiling is much higher.
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This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
