Just two Bucs have made Pro Football Focus’ 2021 list of the top 50 players in the NFL. Tampa Bay QB Tom Brady checked in at No. 7 overall, while LB Lavonte David snuck inside the list at No. 49.

In 2020 Brady defied age and logic, throwing for over 4,600 yards and 40 touchdowns. His ability to throw the deep ball made him a perfect fit in Bruce Arians vertical-based offense, especially out of the bye week. The Bucs won eight straight to finish the season and capture their second Super Bowl trophy. Brady was named MVP of the game.

As for David, it’s nice to see any major media outlet recognize him for the elite player that he is. The All-Pro linebacker finished the 2020 season with 117 tackles and 12 tackles-for-loss. David also intercepted a pass, broke up six others, notched two sacks and forced three fumbles. He’s the heart-and-soul of the Bucs defense, and they are lucky to have him around for at least two more seasons.

This marks the second straight year for Brady and David on the PFF Top 50 as Buccaneers. Last year Brady was ranked 24th and David 37th. In 2020 Chris Godwin (33) and Mike Evans (45) also made the list. The Bucs weren’t represented in the top 50 at all heading into the 2019 season, although Brady was No. 2 overall as a Patriot.

PFF also recently named David as the Bucs best value draft pick since 2006. Tampa Bay selected the Nebraska product with the 58th overall pick in the 2012 draft, the sixth linebacker off the board. David was part of one of the best linebacker classes ever, along with Luke Kuechly, Dont’a Hightower, Bobby Wagner and Demario Davis. PFF referred to David as “one of the most criminally underrated players…over the past decade”. Bucs fans would probably agree.