The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to look far different next year with franchise legends Mike Evans off to San Franisco and Lavonte David opting for retirement. Regarding the latter, the Bucs still have work to do to get their linebacker room, both inside and outside, up to snuff, frankly.

GM Jason Licht pulled off a solid acquisition when he inked former Detroit LB Alex Anzalone to a two-year deal. Anzalone’s pass coverage will be a major boon to a group that imitated burnt toast far too often over the last couple of seasons. The depth in the room improved with the signing off veteran Christian Rozeboom as well.

But the work shouldn’t stop there. While Anzalone will man one starting spot, the Bucs still need to find who will line up next to him. And A to Z Sports draft analyst Tyler Forness has Licht tabbing Georgia LB Allen to do just that in his latest mock draft.

Buccaneers draft Georgia LB CJ Allen with pick No. 15 in latest NFL mock draft

“This one makes all the sense in the world,” Forness wrote. “Lavonte David just retired and was a standout for the Buccaneers for over a decade. Allen can come in and be a solid player right away with the potential to develop into something more. His intelligence and athleticism will play very well in Todd Bowles’ defense.”

I love the pick, and it’s one that would be in the top two or three of picks I would most love to see Licht make. Allen is a true, green dot, three down defensive leader. He could add juice and long-term stability to a position that, frankly, has been stagnant for years now.

Of course, Tampa Bay desperately needs edge rushing help. But to get a player who feels like a future standout in the middle of the defense, that’s a tough thing to pass up.

Speaking of pass rushing help…

Buccaneers add UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence in second round of mock draft

Lawrence might not project as a strong run defender at this point, but the upside on his pass rushing abilities are sky high, and that’s what Tampa Bay desperately needs more out of at this point.

He showed plenty of explosiveness as the NFL Combine, earning the top athletic score by NFL.com among edge rushers, thanks to a 4.52 40, 1.59 10-yard split, 40-inch vertical, and 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. He also has acceptable length and size for the position at 6-4, 253 pounds with 33 5/8-inch arms.

Lawrence has gotten some hype as a late first round pick, so if he was available all the way down in the middle of the second round, he should be one of the very top options for Licht and his staff to consider there.

In any event, a haul like this could go a long way towards helping the Bucs’ defense in both 2026 and for many years beyond.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

ESPN defends Jason Licht’s controversial free agency decision, but it’s not going to change anyone’s mind

Licht didn’t grab a top pass rusher during free agency and it upset a lot of Buccaneers fans, as it was a major need. ESPN recently defended Licht’s actions, but it’s not enough to move the needle, unfortuantely.

Evan Winter