Outside linebacker: Noah Spence
Is the Noah Spence hype real for once? Every year that Spence has been in the league, he has shown up to camp looking impressively in shape, but has failed to show up on the field. This year, however, Spence has been a rocket all over the field.
In fact, as a result of Spence’s strong start to camp, he has been listed as a starting outside linebacker on the Buccaneers’ first depth chart released early this week. Him and Carl Nassib will get the first crack with the first team tonight, and with the injury to Jason Pierre-Paul set to sideline him for a good chunk of the season, the Buccaneers need these two to step up.
Spence is entering into his contract season after being virtually benched by former defensive coordinator Mike Smith a year ago. After a solid rookie season in 2016, Spence has not had a successful season yet; could 2019 be the year Spence finally bursts onto the scene?
Hopefully we can see Spence bulldoze Pittsburgh offensive linemen like he did Donovan Smith in practice a couple weeks ago. With Bowles now at the helm defensively, Spence may finally have the right coordinator and system to make a gigantic leap this season.