In Joe’s mind, the Bucs need three new inside linebackers.
Draft two, sign one free agent or draft one and sign two free agent linebackers. Or, hell draft three or sign three free agent linebackers. However Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht wants to work on the math.
No matter how you slice it, the Bucs’ inside linebackers group needs a major overhaul.
Even if Lavonte David comes back (Joe’s not betting a nickel that will or won’t happen), should David be a part-time player at this point in his career, given how each week he had to have a knee drained of fluid?
Simply put, SirVocea Dennis, unless it is leaked he was hiding a major injury last year, is not a starting linebacker in the NFL, that’s all there is to it.
Given how bad the Bucs are at inside linebacker, if you have already written off David, Bradley Locker of the PFF tribe thinks Jags inside linebacker, a free agent, should be targeted by the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Devin Lloyd
The Buccaneers ended the 2025 campaign in unfavorable fashion, losing seven of their last nine games. The team’s defense was certainly liable, especially a poor linebacking corps.
Whether or not Lavonte David returns, the team cannot simply return the same crop next year. Lloyd’s well-rounded skillset could be affordable for Tampa, as the team can clear over $83 million in cap space via several restructures.
Given how Bucs coach Todd Bowles covets takeaways, this Lloyd may be Bowles’ kind of guy. Last year Lloyd had five picks (including a 99-yard house call) and a fumble recovery.
Lloyd will turn 28 in September.
Joe cannot imagine the Jags letting this guy hit the open market. But if they do, Licht needs to pounce on this guy ASAP while the free agency dinner bell is still ringing.