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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: NFC South linebacker rankings

By Michael Horan

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last, but most certainly not least. Objectively speaking, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the more entertaining pairs of linebackers in all of football with Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. David has been the heir apparent to Derrick Brooks at the weakside linebacker position since he was drafted back in 2012. His sixth and latest was one of his best as he earned a 94.2 rating form Pro Football Focus – their second highest grade for any linebacker in the league.

Related Story: NFC South cornerback rankings

Impressively David managed this grade and all-around terrific season despite not registering a sack or interception for the first time in his career. His 101 tackles were most on the team, just a few more than…you guessed it – Kwon Alexander. In Alexander’s third season as a pro he registered 97 tackles, along with a career-high three interceptions. He didn’t grade out tremendously well and his missed tackles still are something of a problem, but the Buccaneers are far from worried.

One of last season’s most pleasant surprises came from Kendell Beckwith, a fourth-round rookie out of LSU.

The Buccaneers looked to Beckwith for help when Alexander went down with a hamstring injury, and the rookie answered the call. Registering 73 tackles as both a middle and strongside linebacker. Beckwith suffered an ankle injury in a car accident, but should be ready for the season.

Devante Bond and rookie Jack Cichy provide the Buccaneers with some potentially solid depth. Both are young and inexperienced, but the Buccaneers are eager to continue developing Bond and Cichy was a quality prospect at Wisconsin before suffering a knee injury. Keep an eye on both players in training camp.

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