The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers vs. 49ers: what to watch for in week one matchup

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Ryan Jensen #66 hikes the ball to Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Ryan Jensen #66 hikes the ball to Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 09: Benny Snell #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is wrapped up for a tackle by Mike Edwards #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Devin White #45 during the first half of a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 9, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 09: Benny Snell #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is wrapped up for a tackle by Mike Edwards #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Devin White #45 during the first half of a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 9, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Devin White and Mike Edwards set to start defensively

Not only did the Buccaneers move on from McCoy, but the team as a whole also experienced a great deal of turnover. Part of this turnover has led to the Buccaneers starting two rookies on the defensive side of the ball, and they will get thrown right into the fire in their first professional football game of their career.

More from The Pewter Plank

After the Buccaneers made Devin White the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Arians and company were ecstatic with the leadership capability and the athletic ability of the 2018 Butkus Award winner. White has seen every single first team rep at inside linebacker for Bowles and his 3-4 defensive scheme; expect to see that 4.4 speed flying all over the place.

The Buccaneers’ secondary posted close to a lead worst in passing statistics allowed, and to remedy this, Arians and his team took three defensive backs on the second day of the draft. Out of second rounder Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, and Mike Edwards, only the Kentucky safety has seen himself atop his position on the depth chart.

Edwards is one of Bowles’ favorites to deploy on the defensive side of the ball, and with the lingering injury of Justin Evans, he will start next to last year’s sixth rounder Jordan Whitehead. Look for numbers 34 and 45 in the pewter and red as they make their debut at Raymond James Stadium.

Home/Bucs News