Buccaneers: 2019 draft class best since Brooks, Sapp in 1995

Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 10: Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks off a pass intended for Trent Sherfield #16 of the Arizona Cardinals on November 10, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This was rookie Deans first NFL interception. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 30 – 27. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 10: Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks off a pass intended for Trent Sherfield #16 of the Arizona Cardinals on November 10, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This was rookie Deans first NFL interception. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 30 – 27. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)

White showing he’s every bit the dominator

After getting back into the lineup, White soon started making big plays: Interceptions, sacks, scoop and score fumble recoveries. In one game he tracked down Seattle Seahawks’ running back Chris Carson 60 yards down the field and punched the ball loose, causing a fumble that went out of bounds; this stopped a sure touchdown run. He earned Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for November, and stopping the “bust” claims in their tracks.

More from The Pewter Plank

I made a prediction to a big Bucs fan about three weeks ago that White would win Defensive Rookie Of The Year honors and was quickly shot down, and told I was dreaming. While it might still be a dream, barring injury, he still has a good chance of winning the award and bringing home the hardware for the pewter and red.

There is no doubt that we haven’t seen anything close as to how good Devin White is and can be. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching him grow and get better; there is a very good chance he could be as good as Derrick Brooks was.

More stars than just White in this rookie class

Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Mike Edwards, all three have been impressive at times this season as well. Dean and Murphy-Bunting especially have drawn praise for their coverage skills and their contributions to the defense in this their rookie campaigns. From what has been displayed thus far, expect at least one of them, maybe two, to become a very reliable star in the defensive backfield.

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