Buccaneers Predicted to Land ‘Monster’ Off-Ball LB as Lavonte David Successor

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t had to worry about the inside linebacker position for a long time with Lavonte David holding down the fort, but those days are unfortunately numbered with the Bucs great entering his age-35 season in 2025.

NFL news and analysis site Pro Football Network suggested a new potential David successor during a July mock draft that was shared with Heavy, predicting that Tampa Bay would spend their 2026 first-rounder on Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.

“With Lavonte David nearing the end of his career and playing on a one-year deal, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a long-term answer at linebacker,” the writers of Pro Football Network reasoned. “Georgia’s defensive leader, CJ Allen, could be that solution and a significant boost for Tampa Bay’s defense.”

“Allen is on the smaller side at 6’1″, 235 pounds, but he’s a monster off-ball linebacker,” the NFL site continued. “He’s an elite, rangy, and physical athlete, making him a great defender in both the pass and run. His football IQ and instincts allow him to lead a defense and react to plays in a very short amount of time.”

Feels Likely That Buccaneers Must Draft Eventual Lavonte David Replacement

When a player of David’s magnitude finally retires or leaves an organization, it’s hard to fill such a void in free agency because comparable talents aren’t typically found on the open market.

For that reason, it feels like the Buccaneers must draft David’s eventual replacement, and Allen sounds like an ideal candidate on paper. Considering his on-field skillset, but also his locker room leadership and football acumen.

Let’s say Tampa Bay does go this route next April, drafting the Georgia star. In an ideal world, David returns for one final season and passes as much wisdom as he can down to the rookie, preparing him for a world without the soon-to-be 14-year pro.

Can SirVocea Dennis Eliminate Linebacker Need With Breakout 2025 Campaign?

Of course, we’d be remiss to talk about the future of the Bucs’ linebacker position without mentioning staff favorite SirVocea Dennis.

ESPN Tampa Bay beat reporter Jenna Laine highlighted Dennis as her “biggest surprise” of OTAs and minicamp on June 30, and head coach Todd Bowles has talked up the former fifth-round pick on more than one occasion, too.

“The Bucs only caught a glimpse of Dennis due to a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4, and the middle of the field was quite vulnerable last season as a result,” Laine wrote with ESPN.

Adding: “But he had one of the most impressive offseasons of any Bucs defender. ‘First day of OTAs, made one of the best plays I’ve ever seen a linebacker make,’ linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said [of Dennis].”

“Dennis moved across the field to jump a route on a Baker Mayfield pass for an interception,” Laine explained, quoting Walker one last time.

“He’s special, man,” the veteran linebacker told reporters. “Very cerebral and knows the game very well. Can really do everything on the field as a pass dropper, a blitzer and a run defender.”

While it’s always nice to earn the praise and respect of a veteran player at your position, or your head coach, Dennis still has to prove he can stay healthy and contribute for an entire season. If he can do that, and perhaps even break out in the process, it’s possible the Buccaneers won’t target a long-term solution at linebacker after all.