Buccaneers: Devin White on the cusp of making the Pro Bowl?

Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won big when they drafted Devin White in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he could be on the verge of greatness.

Devin White has quickly emerged as one of the top young defensive players in the NFL to start the 2020 NFL season. White currently sits atop the league in tackles, and he is continuing to build on his already-impressive rookie season.

The Buccaneers and White are in a unique situation as they can combine positive team success with a massively increased role in the media.

A media presence is key for individual awards in the NFL, and players who play for small-market teams have a much harder time cracking the roster for events like the Pro Bowl. Players like Lavonte David have been wrongfully neglected for years due to their presence in Tampa Bay, and all of that could change this year.

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David has jumped out to a hot start in his campaign for recognition at the end of the season after winning NFC Defensive Player of the Month, and White isn’t far behind.

White hasn’t popped in the turnovers or sacks categories yet, but he has been close. The second-year linebacker has more tackles than the NFC Defensive Player of the Month and is only a handful of sacks or interceptions away from reaching a new height.

Todd Bowles runs the perfect defensive scheme to help his players show up across the stat sheets. Antoine Winfield Jr. has two sacks already on the season, and a little bit of that coming White’s way could have him easily in the Pro Bowl conversation.

Devin White still has a long way to go before making his first Pro Bowl, especially with Bobby Wagner still in the NFC, but that does not mean the chances are zero. Wagner is playing on a team that is a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl, and White could easily be on the shortlist to join David in the Pro Bowl, assuming the current trends continue.