It's been a long offseason already for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it's hard to argue that it hasn't been a successful one.
The Bucs spent most of free agency bringing back its own players, which meant new deals for key guys like Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Tampa Bay also cooked up a pretty decent draft class as well, which featured a handful of undrafted rookies who could follow in the footsteps of guys like Christian Izien and have an immediate impact.
One area the Bucs clearly spent a lot of time focusing on was defense.
Tampa Bay re-signed Lavonte David, brought back Jordan Whitehead in free agency, and franchise tagged Antoine Winfield Jr., with the idea being that he'll get a massive long-term deal.
Rookies like Chris Braswell and Tykee Smith will also be expected to make an impact, as Todd Bowles' defense looks like it's going to take a big step forward this season.
Updated Buccaneers depth chart after 2024 NFL Draft: Defense
Note: Rookies are bolded.
Buccaneers 2024 depth chart: Defensive Line
LDE | NT | RDE |
|---|---|---|
Logan Hall | Vita Vea | Calijah Kancey |
William Gholston | Greg Gaines | Mike Greene |
C.J. Brewer | Eric Banks | |
Lwal Uguak | Judge Culpepper |
Ahead of the offseason, the Buccaneers' defensive line was one of the best in the league, totaling 91 tackles for loss and 48 sacks, the sixth and seventh marks in the league, respectively. This was behind the solid play of star defensive tackle Vita Vea, as well as defensive ends Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall.
In the initial days of free agency, Tampa Bay re-signed defensive tackle Greg Gaines to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, and also re-signed defensive end Will Gholston to a one-year contract. The Buccaneers would later add a veteran presence by signing Randy Gregory for a year, and also secured two depth signings in Eric Banks and Lwal Uguak. That said, the Buccaneers did cut Shaq Barrett, who later signed with the Dolphins.
It wasn't until the draft that Tampa Bay added a game-changer to their line and Barrett's replacement by drafting Alabama's Chris Braswell with the No. 57 pick in the draft. Starting in 14 games, Braswell recorded 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one pass breakup, one interception, and three forced fumbles, and was named to the All-SEC Second Team for his efforts.
Buccaneers 2024 depth chart: Linebackers
LOLB | LILB | RILB | ROLB |
|---|---|---|---|
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | K.J. Britt | Lavonte David | Yaya Diaby |
Anthony Nelson | J.J. Russell | SirVocea Dennis | Chris Braswell |
Jose Ramirez | Vi Jones | DeLoach Kalen | Randy Gregory |
Markees Watts |
Of all the position groups, the Buccaneers' linebacker core experienced the most turnover and change this offseason. For starters, Tampa Bay chose to not sign middle linebacker Devin White to a contract extension, who signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with Philadelphia days after. Despite this, the Buccaneers did come to terms with veteran Lavonte David on a one-year, $9 million extension.
Excluding David, KJ Britt and SirVocea Dennis is expected to slot in and fill the void left by White. Britt, the No. 175 pick in the 2021 draft, has totaled just 54 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup in 45 starts; Dennis, the No. 153 pick in the 2023 draft, is set for his first full season in the NFL after compiling 232 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three interceptions in four seasons at Auburn.
Of course, it's worth mentioning the return of standout outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. As a rookie, Diaby was excellent for Tampa Bay, recording 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 17 games (seven starts). Between David, Britt, Dennis, and Diaby, the Buccaneers' linebacker core will be just fine even with the departure of White in free agency.