Pewter Report analyzes each position’s strengths and weaknesses in Tampa Bay, as the Bucs attempt to three-peat as NFC South champions.

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Outside Linebackers

Next up are Tampa Bay’s inside linebackers, a group that features two of the league’s most athletic ‘backers in Lavonte David and Devin White. When they’re on top of their game, the tandem of David and White form one of the most formidable duos in the NFL. While David turned 33 this offseason, he’s still solid and actually grades out higher than White, who turned 25 this offseason.

White wanted a contract extension this offseason, but the Bucs refused and he requested to be traded. The team denied that request and is making White play on his fifth-year option. He’s set to be paid $11.706 million this year, which is a substantial raise and pays him in the top 12 linebacker salaries in 2023.

David was re-signed for one year at $4.5 million, which is an absolute bargain considering he made $12.5 million the year prior. The Bucs lack proven depth behind these two veteran starters, but there is promise in a couple of rookie inside linebackers.

The Strength of Bucs ILB: Experience And Blitzing Ability

Bucs LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Devin White is one of the best blitzing inside linebackers in the league. He had a career-high nine sacks during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2020 and was tied for second on the team last year with 5.5 sacks.

Lavonte David is also adept at blitzing, notching three last year to give him 29 for his Bucs career. David shines in coverage, but it’s been a while since he’s been a playmaker against the pass. Tampa Bay would love for him to return to that type of player for one last hurrah in 2023.

While David is on a one-year deal, White is playing out his fifth-year option and he’s unhappy about it. White wanted to be traded in the offseason to a team that would pay him between $18 million and $20 million per season, but his inconsistent play is standing in the way. White held out during the OTAs, but showed up for the mini-camp yet didn’t practice. Will he participate in training camp, or will he become a “hold-in?”

The Bucs also spent a fifth-round pick on SirVocea Dennis, who notched 15 sacks at Pittsburgh, including seven last year as a senior. While Dennis’ ability to get after the quarterback is appealing to a Todd Bowles defense that loves to blitz its linebackers, the Panthers star is also sneaky good in coverage. He had a pair of pick-sixes during this offseason in OTAs and the mini-camp.

Dennis has the chance to unseat K.J. Britt as Tampa Bay’s No. 3 inside linebacker. He has an incredibly high football I.Q., good athleticism and solid instincts. Britt has proven himself to be a solid special teams contributor, but has struggled on defense, especially in coverage where his lack of athleticism has shown up in the preseason and during Week 18 last year when he got extended playing time on defense.

Tampa Bay also hopes it has a gem in undrafted free agent Jeremy Banks, who hails from Tennessee. He had less sack production in college than Dennis, but he did flash with a 5.5-sack season for the Volunteers in 2021. Banks has plenty of upside and very well could crack the 53-man roster with a good camp.

Best-Case Scenario at ILB

White sucks it up and plays during his fifth-year option instead of holding out during training camp, and has a great year that enables him to get paid what he’s looking for either in Tampa Bay or elsewhere in 2024. David continues to outrace Father Time and plays well, while Dennis develops into a starting-caliber backup capable of replacing either White or David next year. Banks making the team — or at least the practice squad — and getting a chance to learn and develop could be a help for the Bucs’ future.

The Weaknesses of Bucs ILB: Lack of Experienced Depth

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

If Devin White decides to hold out this year and not participate in practices or play in the games over a contract dispute, it would leave the Bucs short on experience at the all-important Mike linebacker spot. Granted, Lavonte David could don the green dot on his helmet and make the defensive calls while either rookie SirVocea Dennis or KJ Britt started alongside him.

But the Bucs are short on experienced depth behind David and White. Veteran Kevin Minter is long gone, and K.J. Britt’s primary experience in the NFL is on special teams. Rookie SirVocea Dennis is a promising young talent with good instincts and playmaking ability, but he lacks experience. J.J. Russell is in the same boat, although he was on the practice squad last year. Banks is talented, but he isn’t a lock to make the roster.

Worst-Case Scenario at ILB

The worst-case scenario is that White holds out or David gets injured and the Bucs have to start an inexperienced linebacker like Dennis or Britt in a pivotal year for Todd Bowles. His defense is run by the two linebackers as the Bucs play a great deal of nickel defense, and White and David will be counted on to make a bunch of plays in 2024.