While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received somewhat positive news concerning their star wide receiver this offseason, they still don’t know what their star linebacker will decide about his NFL future. Lavonte David, no matter his decision, will be one of the biggest stories to follow in the NFL this offseason. Another one will be who his potential replacement would be should he decide to hang it up. One report says that an underrated Lions player may be the answer.
According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, even if David does not retire and comes back to the Bucs, Alex Anzalone would be a perfect fit for the team. Throughout his career, he has proven to be an adept inside linebacker talent that multiple teams have relied upon. Whether it’s the New Orleans Saints or the Detroit Lions, Anzalone has consistently impressed throughout his NFL career.
A Veteran Fit in Todd Bowles’ Defensive Scheme
“Anzalone is quick to key the run, and Bowles is one of the best at scheming his linebackers on pressure stunts. Tampa Bay can add another productive veteran on defense here. Anzalone had 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in Detroit last season”, Bowen wrote of Anzalone’s skill set. If he can be someone who benefits from Todd Bowles’ scheme, chances are the Bucs will thrive at the linebacker position at the very least for the next few years.
Short-Term Stability With Long-Term Flexibility
Still, the question of age concerning Anzalone comes into play. At 31 years old, he is only five years younger than Lavonte David. If the Bucs want to remain in win now mode, they may have a better shot of finding younger talent through the draft. Still, the benefits of signing someone like Anzalone are high risk, high reward.
Anzalone should be cheaper than several options on the open market due to his age and could be viewed as a bridge starter at the position no matter what happens with the Bucs. By drafting a younger player, Anzalone could start for the next five years or so before officially ceding the role.
For the Lions, it would be a tough move, but one that could at the very least recoup some money on a player that is quickly losing value. Right now, Anzalone is only valued at 6 million dollars annually, so any price the Lions could fetch could be useful. On the other side of the coin, for the Bucs, as they are known for being frugal, they won’t have to break the bank to get a player like Anzalone on board.
There could be other teams to look out for when it comes to Anzalone, such as the Jets, who have his former defensive coordinator as their head coach. However, when it comes to best fit and best deal, the Bucs are firmly in position to be the frontrunners for his signature. Anzalone would love playing in a Bowles style system and could potentially extend his career.
No matter what, Anzalone could be the perfect puzzle piece for the Bucs in the short term.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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