Bucs Draft 2024 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: LBs

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Adam Slivon continues the previews with the inside linebacker position, giving a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at inside linebacker.

Slivon also provides a detailed list of this year’s top centers while Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely inside linebacker for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Linebacker

Looking at the starting linebackers the Bucs have, one spot is occupied by a franchise legend, while the other has been vacated and is open for competition. Starting with the former, Lavonte David turned back the clock in a big way last season at the age of 33, with 134 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 15 games. These statistics mirror his production from his mid-20s, and after re-signing in the offseason, it is clear he has more in the tank heading into his age-34 season.

At the latter linebacker spot, it is one that was long thought to be held down by Devin White, Tampa Bay’s fifth-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After starting his career appearing to be David’s heir at the position, he fizzled out and by the end of last season was replaced by K.J. Britt in the starting lineup. Britt played admirably down the stretch and is currently penciled in as the starter heading into 2024.

The team remains high on SirVocea Dennis, a 2023 fifth-round pick who played sparingly in his rookie year, mostly on special teams. He did get some run against the Colts last season, and he has a lot of traits that head coach Todd Bowles covets at the position. That includes having a high football IQ as well as promising blitzing and coverage abilities that could see him get on the field more in his second season.

J.J. Russell is also on hand as young depth and he made the most of his chances with a strong preseason last year and filled in well in spot duty against the Panthers back in December, recording seven total tackles and a sack. Vi Jones, a practice squader last year, also returns for training camp competition. As it currently stands though, the Bucs have a sure thing and some uncertainty at the linebacker position now and in the future, which could make it a need heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

What The Bucs Need At Linebacker

What the Bucs need at the linebacker position is more young talent and a contingency plan for life after Lavonte David. As it stands after David, there is not yet a sure-fire, long-term starter at the position, regardless of how high the team is on K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, and J.J. Russell.

There were a lot of elements that propelled Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl win back in 2020, but one of the biggest was having an elite duo at linebacker in David and Devin White that set the standard for the rest of the unit. For a franchise that has long been known for its stellar linebacker play, going back to the days of Hardy Nickerson, Shelton Quarles, and Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks patrolling and captaining the defense, one of the more overlooked needs this offseason is finding the next leader up the middle.

Adding one this year makes a lot of sense, as it would both push the on-hand competition while allowing a young player to ease into the league learning from one of this generation’s best while he is still playing – and doing so at a high level. It is not a foregone conclusion that Britt, Dennis, and Russell will be the only ones following David on the depth chart next season, especially if a prospect they like falls to them on Day 2 or Day 3.

Top Linebackers In The 2024 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. NC State LB Payton Wilson – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-3, 233 – 4.43

North Carolina State ILB Payton Wilson – Photo by: USA Today

As a sixth-year senior at NC State last year, Wilson shined on the field as an instinctual, do-it-all player. In 12 games, he posted gaudy numbers, including 138 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions. There has been a lot of buzz about him in the pre-draft process, which only grew after going through the NFL Scouting Combine drills and posting a 4.43 40-yard time.

Simply put, Wilson is electric up the middle of the field. His extraordinary speed allows him to close in quick on plays, and he has a strong sense of knowing where to be and what kinds of angles to take to the ball. As evidenced by his sack numbers, he can get after the quarterback and has a good bend to elude blocks.

With all of these positives, what keeps Wilson from being a surefire first-round pick is his extensive injury history which will deter some teams from taking him highly – if at all. He has suffered two torn ACLs as well as having shoulder surgery in 2021 that caused him to miss the final ten games of the season. There is no questioning his high-end ability, but his availability looms as the biggest concern at the next level.

2. Michigan LB Junior Colson – Junior – 6-2, 238 – N/A

Teams that are looking for a hard-nosed, gritty linebacker, look no further than Colson and what he did during his three seasons with the Wolverines, a span in which he suited up for all 43 games. On the defensive side, Colson was a big factor in the unit’s success. He led the team in tackles, which is no surprise when watching him as he lives to attack and bring down the ball carrier, doing so with great form and by limiting forward momentum.

He looks the part, and a lot of what he was asked to do in college tested his versatility and NFL readiness. He was more than up for the challenge and he limited his mistakes, drawing zero penalties in 2023. There are some drawbacks when analyzing his game and his overall production stands out, with zero interceptions in college and just 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. While he is often there to stop a play, Colson will need to become more of a playmaker if he wants to stick as an NFL starter. The Bucs met with Colson formally at the NFL Scouting Combine.

3. Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper – Senior – 6-2, 230 – 4.51

When looking at Cooper’s profile, there is a lot to like about his overall game. He was the lead dog for the Aggies last season, pacing them with 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across 12 games. As an athletic, rangy linebacker who showcased it plenty on tape and with his 4.51 speed, he does well to stay tight to his coverage assignments. When he is in pursuit, he displays a plus ability to latch on and pull down quarterbacks and ballcarriers alike.

Cooper is not always the quickest in making reads, which gets the best of him at times. This, paired with a tendency to overshoot gaps, causes him to miss some opportunities to make a consistent impact, but there is also a lot of room for him to learn and grow at the next level. Entering the league, he can drafted with the expectation of him quickly developing into a three-down starter and with the traits to become a lot more. The Bucs had Cooper in for a Top 30 visit.

4. Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr – Junior – 6-0, 228 – N/A

Clemson ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. And North Carolina QB Drake Maye – Photo by: USA Today

Trotter carries the name of a player who made four Pro Bowls at the same position during his time in the NFL. That comes with expectations, but during his time with the Tigers, he proved that he can make a name for himself in the league as well. Much like his father, he is a downhill thumper with a well-built frame and is someone who welcomes physicality. He is instinctive, reads the quarterback well, and also has some blitzing chops, with 12 sacks across his final two seasons.

Trotter is not the fastest linebacker, and that will hurt his overall change of direction and lateral movement against superior athletes. While not afraid of contact, making better use of his hands will keep him in more plays and gain separation. Trotter’s skillset is already well defined and has a role in the NFL, but how much he plays will be scheme-dependent. Trotter came to Tampa Bay on a Top 30 visit.

5. Ohio State LB Tommy Eichenberg – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 233 – N/A

Eichenberg was considered the quarterback of the Buckeyes’ defense during his time there, and it is easy to see why. He is fiery when it comes to football and on the field he lets it all out. It stands out most in run defense, where he shines in working off the initial block, holding the gap, and reading the running back’s eyes to bring them down.

There are some shortcomings when it comes to Eichenberg’s overall game. Despite having enough range in pass defense, he tends to play back and allow things to happen instead of making them happen. There is enough there to like him as a leader and captain, but getting him to become more well-rounded could unlock a starting linebacker over time.

6. Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace – Junior – 6-1, 237 – 4.51

Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace – Photo by: USA Today

Wallace is someone to watch out for as a player trending upward as he enters the NFL. Considered to be a Day 3 pick for much of the pre-draft process, his name has started to come up in more discussions as others have begun to discover the talent that shone through on the Wildcats’ defense. It was during his junior season that he became a full-time starter, and he showed off some impressive traits.

There is the high-end 4.51 speed, the physicality to fight at the line of scrimmage, and his overall knack for getting to the football. His ability to pursue carries over as a blitzer, where he is a heat-seeking missile when the quarterback is his target (5.5 sacks last year). Still just 21 years old, Wallace has more developing to do and it may take time before he is fully unlocked. If he can better anticipate and read plays down-to-down and know where he is supposed to be, Wallace could become one of the best linebackers in this class. The Bucs had Wallace in for a Top 30 visit.

7. North Carolina LB Cedric Gray – Senior – 6-1, 234 – 4.64

Over his time with the Tar Heels, Gray was a stat-sheet stuffer, but more than that, he was also a defensive leader with plenty of talent to back it up. Coming off three 100-plus tackle seasons, he has a propensity for getting to the ball and bringing down ball carriers. He began to grow into more of a playmaker over the past two seasons, with six sacks (five in 2023) and five forced fumbles.

As he heads into the league, the biggest thing for Gray is playing more to his strength and having a better pad level when making tackles. Missing tackles became a bigger issue the further he went along in college, and cutting down on those will be critical in seeing the field and playing a role on defense. There are athletic limitations and times when he will get beat, but there is enough there to see him being a high-functioning linebacker in a system that can mask his deficiencies and allow him to read, react, and attack. The Bucs met with Gray formally at the Combine.

8. Washington LB Edefuan Ulofoshio – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-0, 236 – 4.56

Ulofoshio is always active on the football field and likes to be around the action. Not only does he hustle, but amidst the bustle he reads and reacts to the offense accordingly. Whether that means bursting off the line to close gaps or backing off to hold his spot in zone coverage, he stays prepared and is aggressive in finishing plays.

He is not the most developed when it comes to timing and can get lost in the shuffle if he is late to the party. Ulofoshio’s athleticism does not fully carry over on film as there is some room for him to learn the intricacies of his assignments and where he is supposed to be. He will vie for snaps, but it may take some growing pains for him to become more of a natural, instinctive player.

9. Temple LB Jordan Magee – Redshirt Senior – 6-1, 228 – 4.55

Magee is an athletic linebacker who moves with great quickness and a level of looseness not seen in many prospects at the position. That allows him to get in a favorable position at the point of attack, whether that is coming off the edge or sifting through blocks to find the ball carrier. He has solid coverage ability and accelerates quickly from his drops to pursue his target.

What hurts Magee is a lack of bulk on his frame, which will not help his cause when attempting to take down bigger players. As it stands, his athleticism will help him carve out a special team role, but anything more will depend on him growing stronger and becoming more physical.

10. Penn State LB Curtis Jacobs – Senior – 6-1, 241 – 4.58

Weighing in at just over 240 pounds, Jacobs has great athleticism and play speed for his size. This allows him to shut down running lanes as he heads downhill and gets a fair share of tackles for loss. While having the strength to hold his own, there are times when he gets caught up in blocks and if he does break free, ball carriers can elude his tackle attempts.

Despite being a three-year starter, Jacobs’ tackle production has decreased each season and his zone coverage needs further refinement. He will be able to fit in some defensive packages as an athletic linebacker, but his true calling may be as a core special teamer and depth option.

11. Norte Dame LB JD Bertrand – Redshirt Senior – 6-0, 235 – N/A

Instincts is the name of the game for many linebackers, and that is no different for Bertrand. Relying on them is what has allowed him to lead the Fighting Irish in tackles for the past three seasons. On film, it allows him to play fast and he is quick at diagnosing plays and going full steam ahead. He is an active blitzer who gets in the backfield in a hurry.

His aggressiveness can sometimes be to his detriment, as it was the root cause of missing some tackles. His short arms won’t help him shed blocks and gain leverage, but there is enough to like about his playstyle to consider him a backup at the next level with enough range to rotate into games.

12. Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson – Sixth-Year-Senior – 6-2, 233 – 4.63

There are not many linebackers who can boast double-digit sack seasons, but that is exactly what Watson did last season for Mississippi State. He displays all the traits of a linebacker who can make an impact, from a quick burst, solid pre-snap reads, and finding where an offensive line is most vulnerable to attack.

Watson’s limitations will hold him back from being a full-time starter, though. He has below-average lateral agility, and his aggressiveness gets the better of him at times. And most of his 137 tackles during his senior season came as assists (102) rather than solo stops (35), which is alarming. With a bigger build, you’d expect more strength, but he gets caught up in blocks and struggles at times to break free. His athleticism will cap his role, but there is enough to like about his game to roster him as a backup. The Bucs had a formal interview with Watson at the NFL Scouting Combine.

13. Missouri LB Ty’Ron Hopper – Redshirt Senior – 6-1, 228 – 4.68

Hopper profiles as a rangy player who displays great explosiveness off the snap. That allowed him to wreak plenty of havoc for the past two seasons at Missouri after transferring from Florida. He offers some blitzing prowess and paired that with an ability to fight through blocks to get to the action.

While Hopper showed that he can do that in spurts, there is some room for him to take on and win through traffic when battling against players more stoutly built than him. Taking more precise angles at the point of attack will be important for him, especially if he wants to be more than a special-teamer.

The Best Of The Rest

14. Texas LB Jaylan Ford – Senior – 6-2, 239 – 4.71

Ford is one of the better cover linebackers here, with the kind of instincts that will see him eventually earn some playing time. Over the past two seasons with the Longhorns, he recorded six interceptions. He reads route concepts well which allows him to get in position to make plays. His vision keeps him ahead of the game and he makes himself known as a physical tackler with a well-built frame.

Ford will need to reaffirm these strengths at the next level, as he lacks the speed to fully respond to what goes on around him. His burst and acceleration come with question marks, and while it did not stop him from being a playmaker in college, he will need to continue relying on being one step ahead or he may end up two steps behind.

15. UTEP LB Tyrice Knight – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-0, 233 – 4.63

The first thing that pops out when analyzing Knight is the fact that he had 140 total tackles in 12 games last year, an 11.7 tackle-per-game average. While he clocked in with a 4.63 40-yard time, he makes up for his average speed by having an above-average closing burst when in pursuit.

He reads in-game situations well, and it allows him to adjust and blow up run plays as well as deflect passes in the air. Knight is not the most apt in taking on blockers, and if he gets caught he does not have the hand movement to regularly disengage. Reading routes is a work in progress, and although he is not the flashiest player, he finds ways to get the job done.

16. Norte Dame LB Marist Liufau – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 234 – 4.64

Liufau paired with JD Bertrand on the Fighting Irish defense, and fighting is one word to describe the edge he plays with. He is aggressive from the snap and not afraid to throw his hat in the ring. He heads downfield proficiently and plays with a sense of urgency that defensive coaches will appreciate.

When it clicks, it’s enjoyable to watch, but his playstyle also leads to some missed chances. For someone needing to rely on making the right move, Liufau will need to tone things back a little bit. His energy will be welcome on an NFL roster, but improving his in-game awareness and snap-by-snap instincts will be the primary focus of his development.

17. Miami (Fla.) LB James Williams – Junior – 6-4, 231 – 4.65

Williams stands out, literally, at 6-foot-4. A hybrid player for the Hurricanes, Williams is looking to make the switch from safety to linebacker. His length gives him an edge when it comes to making an impact in the middle of the field, and his defensive back experience aids him in coverage.

He is a thumper with a large tackle radius, but despite his overall versatility, there is some real rawness to his game. Williams needs to work on his movements and technique to break down plays and be more physical to break blocks. He is a project but can carve out a unique role for the right defense.

18. UCLA LB Darius Muasau – Redshirt Senior –  5-11, 225 – 4.70

Muasau has the distinction of being the only linebacker listed here to stand below six feet tall, but that did not keep him from making a big impact with the Bruins. Across his five seasons there, he recorded 440 total tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and five interceptions. These numbers back up his play, as he was a menace throughout college as a physical player using every bit of his frame to impede ball carriers and bring them down.

He lacks the prototypical size and speed for the position, but he has enough talent to latch onto a team and compete for a roster spot.

Bucs’ Best Bets: Linebacker

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace

The Bucs had Wallace, one of the most athletic linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft, in for a Top 30 visit along with Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper and Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. But Tampa Bay has some extra intel from new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who spent two seasons – 2021 and 2023 – as the play-caller at Kentucky and went against Wallace in practice daily. Wallace is only 21, which helps him and hurts him. The bright side is that he so young and is getting a jump on his NFL career at such an early age. The down side is that he is not a finished product and is probably not ready to start as a rookie.

But with K.J. Britt and Lavonte David in a contract year, Wallace could develop behind the scenes in 2024 and emerge as a starter in 2025. He has good production as a blitzer (10 sacks) and in coverage (four pass breakups, three interceptions) in his three seasons with the Wildcats, so he’s a good fit in Todd Bowles’ defense. Wallace’s fast (4.51) and physical playstyle will make him an asset on special teams while he learns. He logged 412 special teams snaps at Kentucky and blocked and returned a field goal for a touchdown as a freshman. He would be an ideal pickup in the third round.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: North Carolina ILB Cedric Gray

Gray has a chance to go late on Day 2, but would be a great addition for Tampa Bay in the fourth round. The Bucs had a formal interview with Gray at the NFL Scouting Combine. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who interviewed Tar Heels linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Tommy Thigpen, Gray “is an alpha male who loves football. Crazy aggressive with a huge foot ball IQ.” That sounds an awful lot like a Todd Bowles-type linebacker.

Gray is adept at stuffing the run, coverage and blitzing, which makes his versatility attractive to Tampa Bay. He logged 100 tackles or more in each of the last three seasons and produced 30 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. In coverage, Gray used his 4.64 speed to record 18 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past three years. He was also a turnover machine with six forced fumbles over that span. Gray gives off some Lavonte David vibes.