Jason Licht Endorses SirVocea Dennis As A Starting Linebacker
March 31st, 2025
SirVocea Dennis.
All you draft freaks laser-focused on Tampa Bay drafting an inside linebacker in Round 1 might want to throw your tablets in a garbage disposal and relax with a cold drink.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht put his foot down today at the NFL owners meetings and volunteered that Dennis is a starter and the Bucs believe his health issues are behind him.
Take that, Jihaad Campbell!
“I think he’s a very good starting linebacker in this league,” Licht said of Dennis, adding that he’s “super-intrigued” by what Dennis will deliver.
The Dennis injury was a crushing shot to the Tampa Bay defense last season, Licht added.
Joe remembers well Dennis’ hard-hitting play in the thrilling win at Detroit. But the then-sophomore inside linebacker walked off Ford Field injured and had shoulder surgery,
“That was a big blow to us, bigger than a lot of people knew when he wasn’t able to play for us last year because he was really coming on,” Licht said.
The GM went on to praise the explosiveness and smarts of Dennis, who enters his third season, as well as how well Dennis plays both the run and pass.
It sure sounds to Joe like the Bucs are banking on Dennis, and bought insurance by signing veteran starting inside linebacker Anthony Walker at Lavonte David’s request.
Joe can assure readers that Licht calling Dennis a “very good starting linebacker” was no coincidence.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:13 pm
They’re still drafting a ILB, but not Campbell.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:28 pm
It’s the time of year where GM’s will say just about anything to keep anyone from guessing who they have prioritized on their draft board.
That said, I’d love to see what kind of production we can get from a healthy ‘Dennis’. A third ‘season ending’ injury could lead to a very short career.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
This puts a CB at the top of the list in my opinion.
It was our thinnest position down the stretch.
Partially why the Redskins scalped us in the lone playoff loss.
A menaquinone could have played better than what we had at CB.
Get it done.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Dennis is a solid LB. He brought an energy and hard hitting to our defense that we needed. I knew we were in trouble once he went down foe the year and were stuck with what we had. I think no matter what they do in the draft he is our day 1 starter next to Lavonte. Still need depth and Walker helps with that but we have to draft another. Doesn’t have to be a premium pick though. I want DL to be our first pick follower by BPA at CB or DE the next 2 rounds. They really do need to draft a wr too imo. Evans is getting old and we need depth at the position. They have 3 at the moment we can trust but 1 is getting up there in age, another is as well and coming off a major injury and the other has shown glimpses but is also injury prone and has a small sample size. If any go down they have nothing else to fall back on.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Licht knows. Dennis is a good ILB. He also knows that shoulders can be tricky. Especially for linebackers. Expect us to get one early in the draft, another (maybe Stutsman) a little later, and follow up with an UDFA. Licht can fool Joe but he can’t fool me.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:45 pm
@FilthyAnimal
We’re drafting Bobby Boucher to be our new LB.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Smokescreen to other teams thinking we won’t draft an ILB. Dennis made 1 splash play in the Detroit game and now Joe thinks he’s a future ROH guy? Licht is talking him up to support Dennis’ ego, and to create confusion for other teams. Don’t forget that Bowles’ original plan was Britt playing run downs and SVD on passing downs…
March 31st, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Liar’s Poker
Licht could write the book he is so skilled at it.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:54 pm
My pre-Jason Licht press conference comment is aging really well this afternoon…
Erik with Pilot and Driver™ Says:
March 31st, 2025 at 11:52 am
This is the Year of LVD & SVD.
NOBODY WILL BEAT OUT SVD THIS YEAR IF HE IS HEALTHY
March 31st, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Dennis really played great last year, for the, what 2 games that he was healthy? That’s the issue with him. But if he can get healthy and stay healthy, he could be a quality starter in the NFL.
However I don’t see how it would affect possibly drafting Campbell – you need 2 starting ILB’s, and currently you got one guy you can rely on, David, and not much else.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:14 pm
Carson Schwesinger, Barrett Carter, Chris Paul Jr., Danny Stutsman, Jeffrey Bassa, Demetrius Knight Jr., Jack Kiser, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Nick Martin, and Kobe King are all available in later rounds. I would hedge my bet on one of thoes guys. Honestly, if it were me two of those gentlemen, personally.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Josh – I don’t watch college football, so I only know what I know from watching highlights and reading scouting reports, and everyone is extremely high on Campbell. In past drafts he’d easily be a top 10 pick, but the ILB position has been devalued, which is stupid, because we all saw how KJ Britt completely killed this defense last year. So if Campbell did fall to the Bucs, it seems like it would be a good pick – and I’d happily take him. Remember, the Bucs don’t win the Super Bowl with Devin White. You need speed and playmaking ability at ILB in this defense – OR you need someone that is like David and can make plays all over the field and shutdown opposing teams TE’s in the passing game (at least when Bowles isn’t stupidly having guys stand around in his trash super soft zone defense). Campbell, from what I’ve seen, is sort of a mix of David and White in that he can be disruptive, and is supposed to be able to cover as well. There’s a reason he’s so highly rated and talked about it, and I wouldn’t just discount the pick because of the position is considered devalued. In this defense, that’s not the case.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Joe … ‘The Dennis injury was a crushing shot to the Tampa Bay defense last season, Licht added.’
Huh? Dennis got a grand total of 104 def snaps in the first 4 games last season before he suffered his injury & was lost for the season. In none of those games was he the starter. That’s after getting 101 def snaps the year before.
o Washington game: 21 snaps … 1 sack, 1 TFL, 7 tackles
o Detroit game: 44 snaps … 0 sacks, 0 TFL, 11 tackles
o Denver game: 34 snaps … 0 sacks, 0 TFL, 4 tackles
o Philly game: 5 snaps … 0 sacks, 0 TFL, 0 tackles
Dennis made quite a few tackles (22) in his 104 def snaps, and against teams that did a lot of running. In coverage he was targeted 11 times, with 10 of those completed (90.9%).
Not sure that I’d call loss of that level of performance a ‘crushing shot to the Tampa Bay defense last fall’. After all, we did finish 10-7, we did win the NFC South.
I can see retaining Dennis for depth, but anointing him as our MLB starter and NOT drafting a true starter-capable ILB high in this draft is asking for trouble. BIG trouble. Draft the guy and let the 2 of them fight it out for starter. We can call it ‘Mayfield-Trask Round 2’.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:49 pm
We need another ILB no matter what.
Of course I hope he’s healthy, but I have a hard time betting on that given how his first 2 seasons have gone.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:10 pm
I’m not undervaluing the position, but I believe there is a lot of talent at linebacker available in the later rounds this year. A player with a 4.8 40-yard time can be just as effective as a 4.5 guy if he understands the game. Similarly, a 4.5 guy could perform like a 4.3 player with the right knowledge. This is evident in players like Stutsman. Additionally, Bassa was originally a safety who transitioned to linebacker, so he is only going to improve in his new position. I’ve also been impressed by Emmanwori, like some others here watching his tape and observing his raw athletic ability. The guy is a freak, and if he puts in the work, he will become a great football player. If you watch his film he seems to almost play LB in the nickel and dime packages as well…
March 31st, 2025 at 7:19 pm
This raises the likelihood that Licht is going to draft another defensive tackle at #19. I think, he’ll opt to finding another CB in the second round. Licht, after watching teams like KC and Philly dominate in the post season has learned that creating a super bowl teams means to building in the trenches. This often means using the first pick on OL or DL.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Later rounds, Knight, Chris Paul jr, or Bassa.
I say we get an impact D guy at 19 DB/DT and then an impact WR in the 2nd…hopefully Jayden Higgins is still there. Any other draft, he would def be a first rounder. Even if thats the only pick on offense we make, that would be super. Evans could get injured again and he might leave or retire after this year (hope not). And we still dont know how easy they have to be with Godwin’s recovery. Maybe he misses the first 3 or 4 games….i wouldnt rush it. Higgins is a bigger Godwin who can play outside and slot.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Agreed MadMax, probably an ILB in the 3rd or 4th Rounds.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:32 pm
@Rod Munch. I watch bama often as my preferred college team, Campbell benefitted from being on a very popular program full of NFL ready players. This years’ draft is weak at LB, not sure where this top 10 grade comes from but I’d also argue that his stock is actually higher this year being rated the top LB and supply/ demand similar to bad years for QBs. Rememver David was a 2nd rounder and actually there is only 1 to 2 LBs drafted in the first round LB that were worthy of a first round grade within the last 10 years. That is a shockingly low success rate. You can still find very good linebackers in later rounds BECAUSE of the fact they are DEVALUED. Schwesinger, Knight, Paul just to name a couple. Knight actually looks like a freak and is very intelligent, didn’t play for a huge program.like Bama but probably wpuld be more well known like Campbell if he did.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:38 pm
On a side note, also think Dennis passed the eye test. He was a machine on the field. Obviously needs to continue to grow and get better but he showed some flashes and highlight reel plays. BUT, I agree with others in this chat that he cannot be relied upon due to his injury history and they should be looking to add a linebacker or two in this years’ draft. One early rounds like 2nd or 3rd round and one later. Make Dennis earn the spot, handing him.the starting gig is the worst possible thing you could do when he hasnt proven anything.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Don’t forget they brought Deion Jones back too
March 31st, 2025 at 7:40 pm
With David and Dennis starting we can let Campbell heal, he’ll be a stud towards the end of the season and ready to take David’s place when he retires.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:41 pm
SirVocea is a darn good linebacker.
He just can’t stay on the field.
It’s been two years since he’s played a full season, and that was back when he was in college.
How well is he going to hold up once we get 2/3rds to 3/4ths into an NFL season?
I’d still like to see us draft an ILB in the first round.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Haven’t seen enough of Dennis to know how good, or bad he is. That’s the problem, 3 years, 104 snaps. Hope he can stay healthy, but counting on that shouldn’t be the plan. Bucs will draft an ILB, doesn’t have to be Campbell in the first round, but better hedge their bet.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:43 pm
When Dennis got hurt the wheels came off the bus in ’24, don’t need to know anymore. If he gets thru this season, we’re golden. NEED to draft Lavante’s replacement NOW
March 31st, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Ben … ‘This years’ draft is weak at LB’.
I’m of the same opinion Ben. I like Campbell, Stutsman & Schwesinger as MLBs, but that’s about it. All 3 should go in Rnds 1 & 2.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:51 pm
Let’s let Jason do his good work. I know we’re drafting BPA on defense. At least I think I know that. As has been said, find that middle DL beast that can spell/complement Vita while building LB and secondary depth. Everyone knows what our pass defense was/wasn’t last year. The mission is to fix it.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:55 pm
Dennis did pass the eye test last year flying around with good read and recognition. Wondered who this player was with Dennis on his jersey until I thought it out. I like Campbell but the better play may be DL until next rounds to see who’s there. Also the UDFA’s, Licht and CO. always seem to find a gem there
March 31st, 2025 at 9:16 pm
Anthony Walker should get a shot. He’s a proven vet who had an off year solid in coverage. However they need to see what they have in Dennis.
March 31st, 2025 at 9:19 pm
If is a word that has been stretched to appear like a twelve letter word with this guy.
March 31st, 2025 at 9:37 pm
The scheme and fit are crucial factors, and that’s the interesting part about the draft. A player might have All-Pro potential, but if they end up on the wrong team or in an unsuitable system, it may not matter. We’ll see, for example, if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is as underwhelming as we as Bucs fans believe, or if he’s simply a 4-3 defensive end who shouldn’t be dropping into coverage, except perhaps once per game to throw off the offensive line. He might be terrible, or he might have 10+ sacks in Cleveland—that’s the funny thing about the draft. Personally I like Bassa for the Bucs, Stutsman as well and Nick Martin late. He’s a slightly more athletic (faster, stronger coming out of college) Lavonte David clone (size, weight) coming off a knee injury, or he would go way earlier. He should be available as a 7th-round flyer pick, and could be the answer to losing David long-term, in my opinion. Just like Sir Vocca-Dennis that is if he can stay healthy….
March 31st, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Smoke and mirrors. Just hear me out while yes maybe SVD can be a starting ILB we don’t know about his availability yet. Like if he can stay healthy. So there’s that question but the other part is SVD replaces LVD one day when he hangs his cleats up you still need another ILB to play next to SVD. So this is why I think the Bucs still draft Campbell.
March 31st, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Of course we need to draft another ILB. It doesn’t matter how healthy you think Dennis may be. Lavonte won’t be around forever. SVD still has to prove it, and nobody backing them up is a starting caliber LB. How high the priority is is a secret inside the walls of OBP.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:14 pm
If Mike Green or Ezeiruaku will be the pick at 19 if they aren’t off the board. We can get a quality ILB somewhere in rounds 2, 3, or 4 that can eventually replace Lavonte or compete to be the first backup with Walker and Jones.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:45 pm
@alabama Bucs fan
War Eagle.
Exactly.
OL and DL in the 1st round.
Like Philly and KC.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Availability is the greatest ability. Guy plays well when given the opportunity, but it’s always hurt. We can’t back on him and a 36 year old. I’m sorry
April 1st, 2025 at 12:05 am
Disruption > Reaction. Always.
Drafting a non-pressure player (LB, safety, corner) over a trench dominator? That’s bad math, bad process, and bad football.
🔥 Pressure Changes Everything
* Pressure cuts QB accuracy by 25% and doubles turnover risk.
* Sacks = drive killers. Just 20% of drives convert after a sack.
* Even a hit while throwing drops series success to ~33%.
💥 Pass Rush Is Stable; Coverage Is Volatile
* Pressure production is consistent year-to-year.
* Coverage success swings wildly—one weak DB ruins the chain.
* Coverage is a weak-link system. Pass rush is strong-link—one monster changes games.
🧠 Draft Realities
* EDGE/3T hits = foundational impact (Bosa, Garrett, Parsons).
* CBs have highest bust rate in Round 1 (~64%). Off-ball LBs often overdrafted.
* Most elite defenses are built around pressure, not coverage.
📈 Team Case Studies
* Lions (2020): Drafted CB Jeff Okuda—no pass rush, defense collapsed.
* Lions (2022): Drafted Aidan Hutchinson—pressure rose, defense stabilized.
* Cowboys (2021): Missed on CBs, drafted Micah Parsons—defense exploded.
* Bucs (2020 SB): 52% pressure rate on Mahomes, zero TDs allowed.
⚔️ Final Word
Coverage needs pressure to hold. Pressure doesn’t need perfect coverage—it creates chaos regardless.
April 1st, 2025 at 7:32 am
Pass on jihaaaad. Dennis will shine, we just need a back up MLB in the 3rd or 4th