The Bucs are poised for a full reset at a whole place group this low season. That’s in keeping with Bradley Locker of Professional Soccer Focus. Locker just lately put collectively a listing of the most important roster determination dealing with every staff within the NFL. And in keeping with Locker, the Bucs have a fairly a bit to consider concerning their linebacker room.
“The Buccaneers face daunting choices concerning a number of free brokers, together with Chris Godwin, however none feels extra delicate than Lavonte David.
The 35-year-old led the Buccaneers in defensive snaps final season, however parts of his play began to fade. His missed sort out fee rose from 7.2% to a career-worst 15.5%, and his PFF protection grade dipped to a career-low 56.9. It doesn’t assist that fellow starter Okay.J. Britt (45.5 PFF total grade) additionally struggled final yr and that J.J. Russell (69.2 PFF total grade) can be a free agent.
Normal supervisor Jason Licht has excelled by holding his gamers, however he’s additionally a cutting-edge government who can predict decline. Whether or not to maintain David, not to mention nonetheless make him the centerpiece of Tampa’s protection, is a troublesome, heartfelt name. There’s an actual likelihood that the Buccaneers might have two new starters over the center.”
Bucs Linebackers Struggled Final Season
Bucs ILB Okay.J. Britt – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas not a one-for-one correlation, there’s sign within the play of the Bucs linebackers and the staff’s struggles to cowl the center of the sector. Tampa Bay allowed a 78.6% completion fee, 9.0 yards per try, 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns on targets of 0-20 air yards over the center of the sector within the common season.
Whereas Lavonte David continues to be an clever participant who nonetheless performed at a comparatively high-level final yr at a place with few top-tier gamers, the drop-off from his regular stage of play was noticeable in 2024. At 35, David is coming into an age that few linebackers can keep the athleticism essential to proceed to play in house. I’ve little doubt the Bucs will welcome him again with open arms if he decides to provide it a go for an unbelievable 14th season. However the possibilities of him bettering are slim-to-nil.
I don’t see Tampa Bay trying to reunite with Okay.J. Britt. The staff came upon the arduous approach what occurs when you could have a scarcity of velocity and fluidity at each linebacker spots. And if David returns they can not afford to run it again.
They’re excessive on third-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis, however he has been injury-plagued since coming into the league in 2023. Britt’s missed sort out fee climbed from 8.3% in 2023 to 14.1% in 2024. His means to be a sound, run-stuffing tackler was his calling card, however his fee was seventh-highest amongst qualifying linebackers final yr.
J.J. Russell had an up-and-down season as a fill-in for Britt when he was out with a mid-season harm. He later took over for Britt because the staff gained extra religion in him. Russell was an enchancment over Britt with higher missed sort out and cease charges whereas shifting higher in protection as properly.
Bucs Offseason Choices
Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photograph by: USA At present
As PFF’s Bradley Locker notes, the Bucs have choices to reset the room. That is an oddly deep free agent class because the place. Zack Baun is coming off of a stellar season in Philadelphia. Tampa Bay might have curiosity in Seattle’s Ernest Jones or San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw as properly.
The staff might additionally look to discover a participant for a selected position or skillset. Tyrel Dodson is an attention-grabbing title with good velocity and a profession 23.7% stress fee. Todd Bowles’ system works finest when one among his linebackers can work downhill with fast twitch and good burst. Dodson has that means and has proven strong protection instincts up to now.
The staff might additionally use the draft to get youthful and extra athletic on the place. Whereas this draft class lacks a top-tier first-round choose, there are many athletic choices that could possibly be out there on day two or early day three. UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa and Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr. would all match the invoice.
No matter route the Bucs take, Locker is true. Massive choices await Tampa Bay because it pertains to their linebacking corps.
