The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have found their next wave of defensive stars, with two rookies already generating buzz as early candidates for NFL Rookie of the Year honors. ESPN recently highlighted Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott as players to watch, and for good reason—both are stepping into roles that could see significant playing time right out of the gate.

Let's start with Bain, a pass rusher who joins a defensive line led by Yaya Diaby. The depth chart behind Diaby is still taking shape, which means Bain has a clear path to starter-level snaps. His versatility to line up both on the edge and inside on passing downs gives him the kind of volume that edge rushers need to pile up sacks and make a strong case for the award.

Scott's path to recognition looks a bit different, but it could be just as promising. As the team's projected slot corner, he'll be in the thick of the action in Todd Bowles' defense. Slot corners get targeted early and often, which translates into plenty of opportunities for tackles, pass breakups, and the occasional game-changing play. His impact will come from consistent involvement rather than highlight-reel matchups.

What ties these two together is opportunity. The Buccaneers drafted both players with the expectation that they'd contribute immediately, and their roles are already set up for success. For a team looking to reload on defense, having two rookies in the Rookie of the Year conversation before the season even starts is a promising sign for what's to come.