The 2026 NFL Draft is nearly 10 months away, but that doesn’t mean the Vikings aren’t looking ahead behind closed doors. One analyst is already looking ahead, seemingly along with the team, because the scouting process never stops.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jason Licht is on a heater when it comes to the NFL Draft that if he were in Las Vegas would have him banned from the Casino. After a rough start to his tenure in Tampa Bay, he has seemingly found his footing in player evaluation and hasn’t looked back.
Advertisement
When it comes to next year’s draft, though, he has to face a reality no one wants to: life after Lavonte David. The team didn’t draft a linebacker this year when many expected it. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema laid out the plans they could have next year when the draft rolls around.
“Franchise legend Lavonte David could be entering the final year of his NFL career in 2025. Drafted in the second round in 2012, he has been a cornerstone for every iteration of the Buccaneers’ defense since. The team likely has faith that SirVocea Dennis, who missed all but four games last season due to injury, can be a starter next to David this season and perhaps take over next year. But they will still need to eye another linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay’s off-ball linebackers combined for just a 62.1 PFF overall grade in 2024, and that was with David in the fold.”
The 2026 linebacker class looks a little deeper than usual as the position makes a comeback in the college ranks. A lot of the players have better coverage skills than in years past, an underrated aspect of David’s game, so this could be why the Bucs punted on drafting one in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What is one position the Bucs need to watch for the 2026 NFL Draft?