ESPN names surprise offseason standout for the Buccaneers
The offseason is effectively over for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with sights now set on the start of training camp in less than a month. With that being said, there were some players who bettered their chances in the offseason of either making their respective teams or increasing their roles this fall. ESPN listed one […]
The offseason is effectively over for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with sights now set on the start of training camp in less than a month. With that being said, there were some players who bettered their chances in the offseason of either making their respective teams or increasing their roles this fall.
ESPN listed one player for each team who stood out in offseason activities. For the Bucs, that player was rookie LB SirVocea Dennis.
Dennis was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. He was the second Panther taken in the draft by the Buccaneers after DL Calijah Kancey in the first round. It was the first time since 1995 the Bucs took two players in the same draft from the same school, when the team selected Hall of Fame LB Derrick Brooks and CB Clifton Abraham from Florida State.
Dennis entered the post-draft team workouts with an ideal opportunity. The futures of both of the Bucs' inside linebackers are somewhat in doubt after 2023, as both Lavonte David and Devin White are set to be unrestricted free agents in March 2024. And for 2023, only KJ Britt and fellow rookie Jeremy Banks appear to be true competition for Dennis for the third ILB spot.
But opportunity is only as good as the player trying to secure it, and so far Dennis has done a good job attempting to seize it.
A rookie fifth-round pick known more for his pass-rushing ability than his coverage skills at Pitt, Dennis had two pick-sixes in offseason practices — one in rookie camp, then one off Kyle Trask in minicamp. He's battling with K.J. Britt for the third inside linebacker job behind Devin White and Lavonte David. For a defense that has struggled to get interceptions, it certainly got my attention. – Jenna Laine, ESPN.com
There's little doubt that Britt gives the Buccaneers a pass rushing option from the inside spot. Last season at Pitt, he totaled 7 sacks while earning first team All-ACC honors. His last three years, he totaled 15 sacks and 36 total tackles for loss. That type of up-the-field aggressiveness fits very well in Todd Bowles' scheme.
If he can prove to be adept in coverage, as he's shown flashes of during the offseason, then the Bucs might have found a valid long-term solution to their inside linebacker position.
Predicting Buccaneers’ most impactful rookie in 2023
Go ahead and book a big season for this kid, whom is already saying the right things.
Featured image via Buccaneers' YouTube channel
