The Bucs are poised for a full reset at an entire position group this off-season. That is according to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus. Locker recently put together a list of the biggest roster decision facing each team in the NFL. And according to Locker, the Bucs have a quite a bit to think about regarding their linebacker room.
“The Buccaneers face daunting decisions regarding several free agents, including Chris Godwin, but none feels more delicate than Lavonte David.
The 35-year-old led the Buccaneers in defensive snaps last season, but elements of his play started to fade. His missed tackle rate rose from 7.2% to a career-worst 15.5%, and his PFF coverage grade dipped to a career-low 56.9. It doesn’t help that fellow starter K.J. Britt (45.5 PFF overall grade) also struggled last year and that J.J. Russell (69.2 PFF overall grade) is also a free agent.
General manager Jason Licht has excelled by keeping his players, but he’s also a cutting-edge executive who can predict decline. Whether to keep David, let alone still make him the centerpiece of Tampa’s defense, is a tough, heartfelt call. There’s a real chance that the Buccaneers could have two new starters over the middle.”
Bucs Linebackers Struggled Last Season
Bucs ILB K.J. Britt – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
While not a one-for-one correlation, there is signal in the play of the Bucs linebackers and the team’s struggles to cover the middle of the field. Tampa Bay allowed a 78.6% completion rate, 9.0 yards per attempt, 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns on targets of 0-20 air yards over the middle of the field in the regular season.
While Lavonte David is still an intelligent player who still played at a relatively high-level last year at a position with few top-tier players, the drop-off from his normal level of play was noticeable in 2024. At 35, David is entering an age that few linebackers can maintain the athleticism necessary to continue to play in space. I have no doubt the Bucs will welcome him back with open arms if he decides to give it a go for an unbelievable 14th season. But the chances of him improving are slim-to-nil.
I don’t see Tampa Bay looking to reunite with K.J. Britt. The team found out the hard way what happens when you have a lack of speed and fluidity at both linebacker spots. And if David returns they cannot afford to run it back.
They are high on third-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis, but he has been injury-plagued since entering the league in 2023. Britt’s missed tackle rate climbed from 8.3% in 2023 to 14.1% in 2024. His ability to be a sound, run-stuffing tackler was his calling card, but his rate was seventh-highest among qualifying linebackers last year.
J.J. Russell had an up-and-down season as a fill-in for Britt when he was out with a mid-season injury. He later took over for Britt as the team gained more faith in him. Russell was an improvement over Britt with better missed tackle and stop rates while moving better in coverage as well.
Bucs Offseason Options
Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photo by: USA Today
As PFF’s Bradley Locker notes, the Bucs have options to reset the room. This is an oddly deep free agent class as the position. Zack Baun is coming off of a stellar season in Philadelphia. Tampa Bay could have interest in Seattle’s Ernest Jones or San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw as well.
The team could also look to find a player for a specific role or skillset. Tyrel Dodson is an interesting name with good speed and a career 23.7% pressure rate. Todd Bowles’ system works best when one of his linebackers can work downhill with quick twitch and good burst. Dodson has that ability and has shown solid coverage instincts in the past.
The team could also use the draft to get younger and more athletic at the position. While this draft class lacks a top-tier first-round pick, there are plenty of athletic options that could be available on day two or early day three. UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa and Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr. would all fit the bill.
Whatever route the Bucs take, Locker is right. Big decisions await Tampa Bay as it relates to their linebacking corps.
