When looking at the Bucs’ defense, there is plenty of room for optimism as the team heads into training camp later this month. There are areas of concern, however; the biggest being at inside linebacker. Head coach Todd Bowles thinks otherwise, but that does not dismiss understandable doubts after the contributions Tampa Bay received from the position last season coupled with the lack of a notable upgrade.
Bucs ILB Room Ranks 25th In The NFL
Before the season, Pro Football Focus has been hard at work ranking players at every position. They have moved on to position groups, with the Bucs inside linebackers ranking 25th. This is what Dalton Wasserman had to say about the state of the inside linebacker room.
Lavonte David is still a stalwart in Tampa Bay. His 77.6 PFF run-defense grade last season was his best since 2017. He’s slowed down in coverage but continues to adeptly lead the unit.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
There are questions about who will complement David. SirVocea Dennis is a solid coverage player but has played only 209 snaps in his career. Veteran Deion Jones logged just 18 postseason snaps for Tampa Bay last season. Anthony Walker Jr. struggled to a 48.0 PFF overall grade in Miami in 2024, though he has played better in the past.
All of what Wasserman has to say here is accurate. Ranking them 25th does not mean Tampa Bay is void of talent at the position, but there are notable question marks about how each of them will play. At 35 years old, David is nearing the end of his career and father time does catch up to everyone. LVD should still be viewed as a solid starter until he proves otherwise, but even the team’s best linebacker is not guaranteed to provide the production everyone has expected from him over the last 13 seasons.
Dennis fared well in limited action last season, but the saying that “the best ability is availability” rings loudly when discussing the 2023 fifth-round pick. While the organization would look to see him prove himself as a long-term starter, staying healthy would be the biggest benefit he can provide to the room above all else.
Outside of David and Dennis, the depth is a bit murky as we stand in early July. Jones was solid — in the smallest of sample sizes after being a late-season addition. Can he prove to be anything more than a third or fourth linebacker? He is going on being four years removed from being a full-time starter, so trouble might arise if pressed into extensive action.
Walker is in a similar situation but has managed to make 20 starts over the past two seasons with the Browns and Dolphins. As the likely third linebacker, he can start in a pinch but will need to show noticeable improvement in coverage.
There Is Still Reason To Believe In Bucs ILBs
With all of this being said, do not completely discount the Bucs inside linebackers. As long as the position is led by Lavonte David, it is like having an Allstate insurance policy, as the team is in good hands with a veteran leader who is aging gracefully and still shows a knack for turning back the clock. Should SirVocea Dennis overcome his injuries, he looks every part of a solid coverage linebacker and willing tackler.
Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Off the field, Dennis is well-spoken, and his football intelligence is apparent. He has all the intangibles to be a key piece going forward. Deion Jones and Anthony Walker might be glossed over as their best football is likely behind them, but that does not mean either linebacker cannot be a spot starter or hold down the position with the experience they possess. In Jones’ case, he has the edge learning Todd Bowles’ defense, while Walker is every bit an energetic leader.
Who knows? In a room that is looking for someone to step up, even undrafted free agents John Bullock and Nick Jackson have a chance to stick and play their way up the depth chart.
The picture is not bleak but does need clarity.
Bowles believes the position is one of the deepest on the team.
“Defensively right now, I like the depth of where the inside [linebackers] are right now,” Bowles said last month.
To return to a being a top defense in 2025, the Bucs inside linebackers will need to exceed expectations and prove doubters wrong.