Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were elated when the team signed Lavonte David this free agency, keeping him with the team that spent a second-round pick on him in 2012. As much as Bucs fans adore David, however, it'd be silly of them to think he's going to play for much longer.
The former Nebraska product is entering his 14th NFL season in 2025 and turned 35 years old this past January. He's certainly closer to the end of his playing career than he is to the beginning of it. That's why it wouldn't be surprising if the Bucs opted to find an official replacement for David in this year's draft.
That's what two of the three draft experts had Tampa doing in their latest mock drafts. David's career is coming to an end and that's why finding a linebacker that can offer what he has for so long makes perfect sense for the Buccaneers in this year's draft.
Finding Lavonte David's successor is Bucs' goal in mock draft roundup
Bleacher Report: Jalon Walker, LB (Georgia)
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report tied the Bucs to Jalon Walker out of Georgia, pointing out that Lavonte David and Anthony Walker Jr. aren't long-term answers at linebacker. What makes Walker appealing for any team is that he's versatile and there'd be no doubts that the Bucs could find a way to fit him into their defense.
CBS Sports: Jihaad Campbell, LB (Alabama)
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports also had the Buccaneers trying to find an eventual successor for David and his pick was Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. Campbell had over 100 tackles during his 2024 season with the Crimson Tide and had 12 tackles for loss. Throwing him into this Bucs defense would be a lot of fun.
USA Today: Shemar Stewart, DE (Texas A&M)
Nate Davis of USA Today stuck with the trend of having Tampa draft a defensive player but shied away from that player being a linebacker. Instead, he went with the Buccaneers bolstering their pass rush and taking Shemar Stewart 19th overall.
The sack numbers haven't been there with Stewart during his collegiate career but this is very much a situation where the stats don't tell the whole story. Davis said it best when he said "His talent suggests top-five pick, particularly after he tested just about off the charts at the scouting combine – 4.59 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical leap at 6-5, 267 pounds. His production (4½ sacks total in three seasons with the Aggies) suggests Day 3 pick." Let's hope if this were the pick that Stewart can add more sacks to his total.