Get An Inside Linebacker Who Can Cover
February 4th, 2026
Inside linebacker blues.
Joe’s going to get in trouble typing the following sentence. Blame the caffeine. Or blame it on the cold weather that has turned Joe surly. Or the lack of football this past weekend.
No team serious about making a run in the postseason has SirVocea Dennis as a starting linebacker.
Dennis might be good as a special teams guy. He might be good in spot duty for a few snaps to highlight his best skillset, whatever that may be.
Joe questions Dennis’ ability as a run stopper (go back and rewatch the loss to Philadelphia, if you can stomach it) and Joe has seen enough to know Dennis cannot cover passing targets. At least he can’t do it in the formidable Todd Bowles defense.
(Sarcasm alert.)
Joe had high hopes for Dennis in the limited time he was on the field prior to this past season. Those hopes were splattered this past season (see the aforementioned Philadelphia game).
It seems Kevin Patra of NFL.com is of the same mind as Joe. Patra typed how it is painfully clear what the Bucs need to add to the roster this offseason. And that is a linebacker who has an idea of how to play pass defense.
Add a coverage linebacker
The Bucs’ defensive issues up the middle were evident as the linebacking crew struggled. Lavonte David is a free agent and could ride off into the sunset, coming off a down campaign at 36 years old. SirVocea Dennis struggled mightily in coverage, getting picked on repeatedly. The two Bucs starting linebackers combined to allow 106 catches for 1,052 yards in 2025, per Next Gen Stats. Adding a coverage linebacker is critical for Todd Bowles’ defense in 2026.
Joe really is fixated on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Joe, however, has strong doubts if he will be available at No. 15. But there are ways to address this issue without rolling the dice on the draft.
Go after a proven guy in free agency. And Joe isn’t talking about an Anthony Walker kind of guy. Get someone in here who has started in the league and demonstrated he can stay on the field and make plays.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:22 am
what about an edge rusher who can cover?
February 4th, 2026 at 4:44 am
Deonte lawson could be there when we pick 3rd rd….probably wont be bad for a 3rd, bit yeah, we also need to sign someone.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:06 am
We need a Bobby Wagner-type LB.
I’m not saying we need to get Bobby specifically, just someone with a pedigree similar or close to his.
In fact, I’d be fine with it if we went out and picked up two LBs in free agency, rather than taking a chance on the draft. Other than LaVonte, we’re in a bad way there, and there’s no guarantee LaVonte will be back.
I think we all had higher hopes for Voss, based on what we saw in 23 and 24.
Recent history suggests Voss will play out his full rookie contract here, regardless of how well or badly he performs. JTS anyone?
Two proven LB starters in free agency is asking for a lot. Wishful thinking, probably. But, after LaVonte, we’re so bare at LB that I’d simply prefer we not take our chances via draft picks.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:47 am
MLBs are not usually drafted in the 1st round.
We may be able to trade back.
And still get 2 great MLBs in rounds 1-4.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:14 am
Kyle Louis! We’re going back to Pitt for an LB
February 4th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Joe … ‘Go after a proven guy in free agency. Get someone in here who has started in the league and demonstrated he can stay on the field and make plays’.
Yea verily Joe, we desperately need a PROVEN VETERAN to anchor our ILB group. I have serious doubts that LVD will be back next year, and even if he is, it should only be for a part-time role for part-time pay (Father Time has caught up with Lavonte).
Bucs typically keep 4 ILBs and 4 OLBs, although it’s prudent to have a 5th of each ‘waiting in the wings’ because of injuries. The ILBs are critical to Todd Bowles’ Pass Defense AND Run Defense; BOTH ILBs need speed, excellent tackling skills, solid pass coverage skills & tremendous instincts at ‘sniffing out plays’. We saw last year what happens when those are missing.
Right now, under contract, the Bucs only have TWO ILBs: SirVocea Dennis & Nick Jackson. I’d keep Dennis for now … as a backup. Jackson’s fine … on the Practice Squad, not on the active roster unless injuries require a filler. So the Bucs actually need THREE ILBs on the active roster … 2 starters & another backup. That’s a tall order, but that’s how far we’ve fallen. Bad planning by our GM IMO.
Signing a FA PROVEN VETERAN who also has strong leadership skills is critical. Guys like Brooks & LVD have been critical to the success of our defenses for the past 30 years. Bucs NEED a player who can become the next Brooks or LVD for a number of years. In addition, we NEED to draft a quality ILB with exceptional instincts who can pair with that proven veteran to provide the critical ILB capabilities that this defense has to have to function. Personally I’d use either our Rnd 1 or Rnd 2 pick to get our guy.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Where’s Dewey Selmon?
February 4th, 2026 at 6:52 am
Sounds like you are talking about the NFL’s leading tackler and known great cover LB Jordyn Brooks of Miami that was dangled in front of Licht at the Trade Deadline like a steak in front of a starving man.
Thanks Joe’s for making my point for me that a GM who does NOT make deals at the trade deadline EVER-is not a REAL GM.