The Bucs’ linebacking corps has been under the microscope this offseason. With the return of SirVocea Dennis from injury and no draft additions to a unit that struggled, it has become a point of interest for the team’s prospects for success in 2025. But one part of that unit that isn’t in question is future Ring-of-Honor member Lavonte David. Crediting David for his continued high-level of play, Pro Football Focus recently named him as one of their top-32 linebackers heading into 2025 as he enters his age-35 season.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David Ranked 22nd Overall

David comes in as a part of author Mason Cameron’s tier five backers. He writes, “David is another seasoned linebacker at the tail end of his career who continues to excel in the modern NFL. While his 67.9 PFF overall grade in 2024 was his lowest since 2016, he remains one of the most consistent run stoppers at the position, having posted a 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in eight consecutive seasons.”

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and Eagles TE Dallas Goedert – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

David’s ranking can be construed as both fair and curious depending on your point of view. PFF prides themselves on their grading. David ranked 21st in overall grade last year among qualifying linebackers at 67.9. But of the 21 players ahead of him on the list, five qualifiers earned lower grades than David last year including, Roquan Smith, T.J. Edwards, Nick Bolton, Frankie Luvu and Patrick Queen. And to add insult to injury C.J. Mosley, who is currently unsigned due to a significant neck injury. I think there was a pun there. It was unintentional unless you enjoyed it.

David was asked to rush the passer more in 2024 than in his previous time with head coach Todd Bowles. David rushed on 19% of passing downs last year. Over the previous five seasons that number was 11%. And while the change in usage helped him to an impressive 5.5 sacks it also coincided with a downturn in his coverage metrics. His coverage grade from PFF was a career low 56.9 and his 1.19 yds/coverage snap his worst since 2018. Field Vision gave David a coverage HAVOC rating of 73.4, which ranked 114th among linebackers.

And while he had a career-high missed tackle rate of 15.5% he still performed well as a run defender. His 8.9% run stop rate was his second-best since 2019 and his 2.7-yard average depth of tackle was in-line with his career average.

The 22nd overall ranking represents a precipitous fall off from where PFF had David this time last year. Ahead of the 2024 season they had him ranked 6th overall with Gordon McGuinness writing, “David, 34, is coming off his lowest season-long PFF coverage grade since 2015.

That being said, his 68.6 mark still ranked inside the top 25 at the position, and we only have to go back to 2022 to find him inside the top five, with his 88.0 PFF coverage grade placing second among linebackers.”

With now two consecutive seasons of declining coverage grades it looks like they feel like a drop-off is mounting. But that assessment may be a bit premature.

Got a throwback Lavonte David game in Week 15, about a month before he turns 35 years old.

If this is it for him, the level he’s still able to get to at the end is pretty remarkable. pic.twitter.com/7yoq0u3tNR

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) December 17, 2024

David is the latest Bucs player to receive recognition from PFF, joining among others, Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke.