Josiah Trotter continues impressive start
Trotter has arguably been Tampa Bay's most impressive rookie through two games. After recording 10 tackles, a sack, and a pick-six in his debut, Trotter followed it up by leading the Bucs in tackles for the second consecutive week. He finished with 11 combined tackles against Cleveland despite missing some time with a shoulder injury. Tampa Bay held the Browns to only 44 rushing yards and 1.9 yards per carry. PFF gave Trotter a 73.8 grade on 48 defensive snaps, the second-highest defensive grade on the team behind Tykee Smith. Through two games, his 76.2 overall grade ranks 10th among qualified linebackers, while his 78.5 coverage grade ranks ninth.
Rueben Bain Jr. still searching for his breakout game
Bain did not record his first career sack against Cleveland and has produced only two pressures
through his first two NFL games. PFF has him at a 42.5 overall grade through two weeks, including a 47.6 pass rush grade and 43.5 run defense grade. He has played 76 defensive snaps. That is obviously not the immediate production Tampa Bay hoped for after Bain entered the league following a 2025 college season in which he earned a 92.8 PFF grade and led all FBS edge defenders in pressures. Two games are nowhere near enough to make a judgment on a rookie edge rusher, but getting Bain going has quickly become something to watch.
Ted Hurst continues getting opportunities
Hurst remained involved in the offense against Cleveland, catching two passes for 27 yards, including a 21-yard reception. That brought his season totals to five receptions for 63 yards through two games. He also had an opportunity to make the biggest play of the afternoon. With Tampa Bay attempting to score the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield targeted Hurst on a fade in the end zone. Hurst was tightly covered and could not secure the catch in heavy rain.PFF has Hurst at a 57.4 overall grade and 56.1 receiving grade through two games. He has been targeted 10 times, showing that Tampa Bay is already comfortable giving its third-round pick legitimate opportunities within the offense.
Keionte Scott remains heavily involved
Scott continues to carve out an important role in Tampa Bay's secondary. After starting in the slot and playing 73 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 1, he recorded five solo tackles against Cleveland. Through two games, Scott has nine solo tackles. PFF has given him a 69.2 overall grade, including an impressive 82.8 run defense grade that ranks eighth among qualified cornerbacks. His 64.5 coverage grade is 40th at the position. Scott's physicality was one of his biggest strengths coming out of Miami, and that has translated early. While there will naturally be growing pains in coverage for a rookie defensive back, Tampa Bay clearly trusts him enough to keep him involved immediately.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers' rookie report: week 2
