Bucs Should Address Inside Linebacker
March 27th, 2024
Will he emerge?
Look, no one is a bigger fan of Bucs legend Lavonte David like Joe. For years Joe has been banging the drum for David that he’s the most underrated defender in the game..,.
As much as Joe likes David, does anyone expect a 35-year old linebacker to be playing at Pro Bowl-level? David turns 35 in January when the Bucs hope to be marching to a Super Bowl.
Sure, Joe hopes David is back in 2025, but it’s almost reckless to expect that. Sooner or later Father Time wakes up. He’s undefeated, you know.
And with Devin White having flown the coop for Philadelphia, the Bucs went from potentially having an elite duo as inside linebackers to maybe bottom-five if Father Time comes knocking early.
Even if David balls out, it wouldn’t be foolish for the Bucs to begin to prepare for life after David. And this is why Jenna Laine of ESPN believes the Bucs may be in the market to draft an inside linebacker next month.
Inside linebacker
Devin White’s departure didn’t come as a surprise considering with former fifth-round draft pick K.J. Britt taking over for White down the stretch and in the playoffs. General manager Jason Licht said Britt did a “phenomenal” job and said he “waited for his opportunity and he took advantage of it and thrived.” But coach Todd Bowles wouldn’t commit to Britt being the starter for next year right after the season ended. Of course, there’s also SirVocea Dennis, whom they drafted a year ago out of Pittsburgh, but he’s more so the future replacement for David.
Britt was fantastic against the run. Joe isn’t sure how well he did against the pass.
The SirVocea Dennis mystery is interesting. He started out in practice like gangbusters. He flashed a lot his first preseason game but had a hamstring injury. He then pretty much went into the witness protection program.
Most rookies the Bucs drafted and/or signed as an undrafted free agent contributed last year, except for Dennis. Did he suffer the hamstring from hell like Russell Gage?
As a result, Joe isn’t ready to anoint Dennis as David’s heir apparent. Joe needs to see production before knighting a player as the next-best thing.
Regardless, the Bucs are damn thin at inside linebacker. So yeah, Joe can see the Bucs drafting an insider linebacker in April.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:41 am
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:47 am
YES!
Biggest needs
MLB
EDGE
HB
CB
March 27th, 2024 at 12:51 am
Powers
Braswell
Trotter
Estime
very possible with some trading
March 27th, 2024 at 1:06 am
You hit the nail right on the head, we really have no depth in most positions, We lose Mike Evans to injury or Chris Godwin and there goes 2500 yards from our offense, we lose Chase McLaughlin and there goes a third of our points, Lose a starting offensive lineman or center, and We are sucking wind, defense is even in worse shape , Vita Vea goes down , David goes down , or any of our starting defensive backs, and We are in deep trouble, and we are already short pass rushers, for the “honor “ of winning the NFC South, we get to pick last in the Draft , doesn’t really matter , we don’t have the money to go after highly advertised talent , but the good news is there are a lot of good football players out there in smaller , less publicized schools, and there are still the preseason cuts to sift through , we might fill the vacancies but it’s going to take some intense searching creative selections and pure luck.
March 27th, 2024 at 1:34 am
If JTS isnt the edge rusher the bucs hoped for perhaps he could transition to traditional linebacker. He’s a good athlete complete with speed and size. Kinda like the mad stork back in the day…. Just sayin…
March 27th, 2024 at 1:48 am
I don’t think we’re drafting an edge. I really don’t. Center. WR, ILB, probably a Georgia Safety. Shoot I don’t even think guard anymore. Maybe QB, I think Chris Godwin will not be a Buc next year, sadly. Definitely special teams guys with the new rule. Look for a trade back or two
March 27th, 2024 at 3:46 am
Love your picks MadMax.
1 – Need a C unless one of the top 3 Edge rushers (Turner, Verse, Latu) falls to the Bucs. Unfortunately, I doubt JPJ will be there as Seattle, Pitt, Miami, Philly and Dallas all need a C and pick before Tampa. Barton may also be gone. I would be OK with Frazier in the 1st (especially if we trade back and get an extra 2nd or 3rd rd pick) or Van Pran in the 2nd.
2 – Need an Edge/OLB here. I like Isaac from Penn State. Braswell or Kneeland would also be strong picks. Robinson from both Missouri and PSU will be long gone.
3 – Lots of option here. I think the Bucs still need a G. I expect “a run” on TE, ILB and RB which are all positions of need. While the Bucs need a #1 TE, I believe they will address this in rd 6 or 7. So, I would go Mahogony or Poni at G, followed by Trotter or Gray at ILB. If the Bucs don’t believe they need a G, they may go WR here in this deep class. Wilson from FSU or Polk or McMillan from Wash.
4 – I’m holding off on power RB to here because I believe there are a number of players available — especially if the Bucs can get to the middle or early part of this round — even if they have to trade up. I like Estime. He’s more complete (especially in blocking) than Davis or Allen though I would be happy with either of them also as a #2 or #3 back. I also like a TE (FSU Bell) here.
6 and 7 – BPA probably WR, TE (speed or blocking) or CB.
Trading back – As the Bucs pick so late in every round, the Bucs should try to swap picks to even things out in any deal. For example: Trade Bucs late 1st rd for team X’s early 2nd, 4th and swap our late 3rd for their early 3rd. This could be a game changer in rounds 3 and 4.
Smoke screens – Misdirection or tactical deception to throw other teams off the Bucs plans.
Bucs picking a WR in the first or second round. Bucs believe in Palmer — though I wish we re-signed Moore as a #3 WR insurance policy.
Picking a S or CB on day 2. Bucs need for S is only for depth. Licht has too many starter/solid contributor holes to fill to worry about a #4 S or #4 CB early on in the draft.
Picking a QB – You just signed Baker to a 3-year deal. I know Trask only has a year left, but I highly doubt anyone will be looking for him as a FA next year and he could be a low cost easy re-sign. Bucs also like Wolford and could make him the #2 QB. This only blows up if Baker gets hurt and Trask plays “lights out”.
Bucs looking for a RT – Bucs like Goedeke and he’s still on his rookie deal so even though this is a deep T class, this isn’t happening.
March 27th, 2024 at 4:57 am
MadMax & Bucs Guy … Like the way you both think. I tend to believe that, for the most part, you get your best early-career contributors in Rnds 1-4. Those seem to be the guys also who earn 2nd contracts at a higher rate than lower round picks. Bucs front office & coaches have done a very good job in recent years IMO of (1) prioritizing NEEDS, and (2) evaluating potential picks by how well they meet those needs.
Seems that most JBFers (including myself) support drafting a Center & Edge in Rnds 1 & 2 (order of selection dependent upon BPA at the time?). Of course, if a player at some other position who we ‘just can’t pass up’ falls to us, I’d expect JL to pull the trigger. With 25 teams picking above us, hard to even predict what players will be there when we choose.
Bucs have lots of options in Rnd 3 with our 2 picks (MAYBE even a 3rd pick there if we trade out of our #26 slot to gain an extra pick?). More & more seem to be focusing on ILB & power RB in Rnd 3 because those are not currently positions of strength this year. Personally I think that the Bucs could survive quite well using Hainsey or Bredeson or Opeta at Left Guard ASSUMING that we gain a studly starting Center (either in FA, which is unlikely, or via the draft). And because of that, I think that JL will go the ILB & RB route in Rnd 3, and maybe add a Guard in Rnd 4 or later.
Rnd 4 is kind of a question mark to me. We NEED another TE, especially one that can block, but we could also use a Guard to develop. Or a WR3 type or a DT/DE or another DE/OLB. No one would cry though if we grabbed a CB or Safety in that slot. Lots of options there, and BPA will most likely rule the roost.
Later round selections IMO (Rnds 6 & 7 in our case) should always be BPA. Sometimes you get lucky.
March 27th, 2024 at 6:24 am
I like where the JBFers are here.
Edge or C G in the first. (I like Frasier more than JPJ)
In the 2nd I would take a WR. The draft is strong here. I know it’s not a pressing need. Could also take a corner of Tampa drops.
In the third I’m taking Van Pran if we didn’t already draft a center. I’m also looking for corners like Melton if we haven’t taken one.
If we haven’t traded our 2nd 3, that’s where I’d look at the top HBs or Mohammed Kamara.
I’m looking for LB like Gray in the 4th or HB if we haven’t drafted one already
March 27th, 2024 at 7:00 am
Dennis will bounce back. A bad hammy can easily ruin a rookie’s year. They don’t have room to miss practice time or be hampered with bad wheels.
March 27th, 2024 at 8:38 am
The two players I really liked from our last draft, which was a fantastic draft, were Dennis and YaYa.
Last year really was a mystery. But unless something horrible happened- I think That SirVocea is going to be a a Star for us. Really hope Im right about this one. This young man has game. Hope he makes the most of it.
He couldnt have a better Mentor
March 27th, 2024 at 8:39 am
Center first round, dominate the line of scrimmage
March 27th, 2024 at 9:49 am
I hope the team will also look at what areas a veteran may be cut after the draft and take that into consideration when making their selections.
Adding another middle linebacker for the future seems prudent. There might also be a young veteran available after the post draft cuts come who could add depth and contribute on the special teams.
Joe, you have been on fire for the last couple weeks and really are stepping up your game I’ve been in this Congress 15 years with quality of your articles. Thank you for job well done!!!
March 27th, 2024 at 10:08 am
Joe types,
“And with Devin White having flown the coop for Philadelphia,” – that’s wonderful imagery, and an appropriate descriptor lacking connotation. Well written!
March 27th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Payton Wilson
March 27th, 2024 at 9:23 pm
How about Dennis at MLB? I think he can make it work.