Buccaneers Pick Linebacker SirVocea Dennis In Round 5
April 29th, 2023
It seems Bucs general manager Jason Licht liked more than just his first-round pick when he watched all the film of the University of Pittsburgh defense.
With their first pick of Round 5 this afternoon, the Bucs selected Pitt inside linebacker SerVocea Dennis.
He’s a small LB at 6-1, 226 pounds but he’s known for his speed and for being explosive into gaps. Joe’s been reading he’s a solid tackler. So his bio smells like that of a potential special teams ace.
On the ESPN broadcast of the draft, former NFL defensive back and personnel executive Louis Riddick called Dennis “slippery” when he blitzes, and that’s why he had 11 sacks last season.
“He is really good on the stunts, he’s smart as heck … with “tremendous instincts,” Riddick said before explaining Dennis is Todd Bowles kind of player, moldable into different roles on defense.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Quickly looking at various scouting reports, very much a player in the style of White, but obviously without the top end workout numbers – but not bad either. He wasn’t asked to play in coverage in college, so that’s a wildcard, but he probably has the speed/quickness to cover lower end backs and second TEs, but maybe he develops and gets better.
But he’s another undersized defender who is sudden, and produced in college.
I like the idea of the pick, you need ILB depth, badly, and this gives you a guy who, at worst, should be a stud on special teams.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Dennis had plenty to smile out after having a fantastic day and impressing many scouts during the day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds, hit an incredible 41.5 inches on the vertical jump and 10-foot-5 on the broad jump.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Only missed 4 tackles last year had 94. Should be a good back up to learn behind LVD. Solid pick
April 29th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Deva White better ball out this guy can rush the qb the same as him in the 3-4 scheme
April 29th, 2023 at 2:43 pm
White’s replacement after this season.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:43 pm
@ Rod
Sounds about right. Worst case scenario this guy will be a special teams demon…
April 29th, 2023 at 2:43 pm
Don’t know much about him but Pitt fans wanted him and he is ranked on the top 10 LBs on PFF
April 29th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
They say he is a good vocal leader
April 29th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Lesser athletic but much smarter version of D white
April 29th, 2023 at 2:46 pm
Corey Trice S might be worth our next pick…
April 29th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
They say he is a good vocal leader
Tenor or bass?
April 29th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Sounds like his coaches in college didn’t ask him to do much in coverage, and at the senior bowl he didn’t really look all that good in coverage. Of course if he never did that in college, then that would make sense. That’s why, at first, I was thinking he was more of a guy who plays in the mold of White. His workout numbers, however, show a guy that should be able to do well in coverage, and his tape, according to what I’ve read, says he’s very agile.
He’s also a good interior rusher from what I’m reading, even though he’s undersize, he has great quickness and movement that lets him get around blocks / shed blocks. But against big offensive lineman he can get be taken completely out of the play. No problem, that’s where someone like Vita can occupy guys.
Anyways, the more I see, the more I like. He’s a 5th rounder, so who knows, maybe he doesn’t even make the team, but it sounds like they got a guy with the traits needed to play the same position as David.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
A year under David he’ll be ready to take over. Good backup, and ST player this season.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Smart inside linebacker…. Already a improvement
April 29th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Thank you, solid hitter!!!
April 29th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Wonder if Calijah Kancey had any say so about this pick. He said during his interview that it would be nice if one of his Pitts teammates could be drafted to join him with the Bucs.
April 29th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Nice depth piece.
Hard to hate the pick with Diva spouting off in the media & David a 1yr tender.
April 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
@ Dooosh
I agree. Tice is 6’3″ and has a very high RAS…
I would be happy with that pick.
April 29th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Man, I am loving these names lol….
Go Bucs!
April 29th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Bucs going small and fast?
April 29th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
How does one pronounce SirVocea. “Sir VŌCH ee uh”?
April 29th, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Sir vah see a
April 29th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Good value and has upside to be a borderline starter at some point.
April 29th, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Kancey is way bigger but he is way faster. Kool. Just an observation and I like the pick. Been some successful undersized LBs.
April 29th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Plus 11 sacks ain’t too shabby.
April 29th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Answering my own question, it’s pronounced “sir-VOSS-ee-yay“
April 29th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
His 40 time might be deceiving – Keep in mind the guy had a high ankle sprain coming out of the Senior Bowl – which isn’t too long before the NFL combine. It might’ve worked against him to run the 40 if he was still affected by it.
April 29th, 2023 at 9:28 pm
His draft profile sounds like they are describing DWhite
Off ball LB that struggles taking on blocks and seeing gaps in run game – but excels at the blitz…hmmmmm