Bucs’ Best Bets At Inside Linebacker
Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: LSU ILB Devin White
White is an alpha male leader and a culture changer, and that has tremendous appeal for a Tampa Bay defense that has struggled to form an identity over the years and become a good unit. White is a load at 6-foot-1, 241 pounds, running a 4.42 at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was the fastest time for any linebacker in Indianapolis. The 2018 Butkus Award winner was mega-productive for LSU, recording 133 tackles in 2017 and 123 tackles last year to go along with 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception over the past two years combined.
The Bucs covet White, who interviewed with the team at the NFL Scouting Combine and visited One Buccaneer Place in early April. He’s the front-runner for the No. 5 overall pick. Unless Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams or Kentucky outside linebacker Josh Allen slips to the fifth overall selection, it’s a safe bet to assume that Tampa Bay will draft White there, or perhaps trade down a few spots and try to get him with a later pick and acquiring another draft pick or two in the process.
Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: N.C. State ILB Germaine Pratt
Pratt is a big, fast, well put together linebacker at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds and running a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. Pratt began his Wolfpack career at safety before moving to linebacker during his junior season. Tampa Bay wants to add speed to its defense, and if the Bucs pass on White or Michigan’s Devin Bush in the first round, Pratt would be in the mix later in the draft.
Pratt totaled 235 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, six sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown at N.C. State, including 104 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior. Pratt has the ability to play all three linebacker spots due to his coverage ability, and can star on special teams as a rookie. Pratt could be an option for the Bucs in the fourth round.
