An intriguing trade hypothetical was recently proposed by Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, where one trade scenario was brought up for each of the 32 NFL teams. When it came to the Bucs, inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis was brought into the conversation.

Dennis is entering the fourth year of his NFL career, which means he is on the last year of his rookie contract. He’s coming off a season where he did get his first opportunity to start and recorded 101 tackles, three sacks and one interception in 16 games.

Does Trading SirVocea Dennis Work For The Bucs?

It was not the most ideal season for SirVocea Dennis, though. He was often beat to the outside and his pass coverage wasn’t as stout as we all expected it to be. This prompted the Bucs to make some significant moves this offseason and is also why he was listed as a potential trade candidate. Here is what Bleacher Report said:

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers retooled their linebacker corps. They signed Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom and selected Josiah Trotter in the second round of the draft.

Bills QB Josh Allen and Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

“Although Lavonte David retired and his absence will open up snaps, Dennis may still be behind Anzalone and Rozeboom on the depth chart. They’re both more experienced starters.

“Moreover, Trotter could be an early contributor.

“In his first year as a full-time starter, Dennis recorded 101 tackles (10 for loss), three sacks, five pass breakups and an interception, which are solid numbers while on the field for 94 percent of the defensive snaps.

“However, Dennis allowed three touchdowns and a 122 passer rating in coverage. Anzalone and Rozeboom are superior cover linebackers, and that will likely factor into the pecking order.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“As a two-down run defender, Dennis has trade value. The Buccaneers should move him with their upgrades in coverage at the position.”

Would The Bucs Consider Trading SirVocea Dennis?

The odds of the Bucs actually trading SirVocea Dennis would be low. Considering the lack of depth that the team had at inside linebacker last season, it wouldn’t check out for Tampa Bay to move a depth piece. With any trade conversation, it always comes back to what is the value in return? I don’t see anything more than a sixth or seventh round pick.

And if that’s the case, it’s better for Tampa Bay to hold onto Dennis.

The fact that the Bucs brought in Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom through free agency and Josiah Trotter via the draft shows that they were ready to revamp the room. But this is also comes after Lavonte David retired and they needed more players out of necessity.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Brian Collera/PR

Only Trotter is considered the true future of this team at the inside linebacker position. Anzalone will likely be the leader of the team this season, but he’s only on a two-year contract. Rozeboom is on a one-year deal, so it’s difficult to say that he is a long term answer. Tampa Bay will also have some battles between John Bullock, Nick Jackson and Javin Wright that could see one of them find a way on the active roster.

Dennis was once thought of as the future of the team, but that may not be the case anymore. But if Dennis can have a good training camp and preseason along with making some plays during the regular season, there wouldn’t be any harm and having him re-sign with the Bucs on a team friendly deal.

Nobody in that linebacker room has been in Tampa Bay’s defense more than SirVocea Dennis. While they presumably succeeded in finding an upgrade over him, having him spot start for a game or two if another player is out wouldn’t be detrimental to the team by any means.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

With the depth problems that the Bucs have had previously, keeping a room together would be good for Tampa Bay.