Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht was asked at the NFL Scouting Combine to identify a young Bucs player who stood out to him last year. Licht praised first-round pass rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and second-round quarterback Kyle Trask earlier in his press conference.

But he went in a different direction for this particular question.

“I’ll single out two – K.J. Britt and Grant Stuard for the roles that we drafted them for and to play on special teams, I thought they did a fantastic job. They’ll continue to grow as position players as well. We think K.J. has a really good chance to be a good linebacker, as well as Grant in some sort of role on defense at some point. The way they brought their energy every day. I thought the entire team benefited from just the way they carried themselves.”

The Bucs used two Day 3 draft picks on a pair of linebackers to help Tampa Bay’s special teams last April. Britt was drafted in the fifth round, and Stuard was the final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Not only did they make the team, they made a big impact.

Bucs ILB K.J. Britt – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Stuard led the Bucs with 12 special teams tackles and a forced fumble. He also had 15 tackles (eight solo) in limited playing time on defense. Britt was fourth on the team with five special teams tackles. On defense, Britt notched 12 tackles (seven solo) and a tackle for loss. He also had a pass defensed and a QB hit during his rookie campaign.

The Bucs kept five inside linebackers on the roster last year. Devin White and Lavonte David were starters, and reserve Kevin Minter was the special teams captain. It will be interesting to see if Tampa Bay re-signs Minter, who will be 31, this year. Britt, well built at 6-foot, 235 pounds, could be ready to move into the top reserve spot and replace Minter.

Stuard is smaller at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds. While he may be a bit faster and more sudden than Britt, his lack of size may limit him to a role covering kicks and punts. But he should make the team as a special teams ace once again in 2022.