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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Predicting team awards for 2019 season

By Cory Kinnan

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: O.J. Howard #80 celebrates with teammate Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: O.J. Howard #80 celebrates with teammate Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin White of LSU reacts after being chosen #5 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin White of LSU reacts after being chosen #5 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Devin White

This award was much more difficult to choose than anticipated as linebackers tend to have a difficult time winning rookie of the year awards. Well, until last year when Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts did so over the likes of safety Derwin James and pass rusher Bradley Chubb.

With that being said, a tight race between cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and Devin White will go to the horse riding linebacker from Louisiana State. The fifth overall pick in the draft by the Buccaneers, White has already landed a starting job and has practiced with the ones all mini-camp.

The Butkus Award winner from a year ago for the nation’s best linebacker, White tallied quite the career with the Tigers, with 114 total solo tackles, eight and a half sacks, and 28.5 tackles for loss. In 2018, White recorded 62 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Next to David, White should also be able to eat up large amounts of tackles as long as he maintains lane discipline, a trait he struggled with in college. White should lead the charge on the defensive side of the ball, quickly become the leader of the Buccaneers’ defense, and have the best chance to impact the team as a rookie.

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