The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted linebacker Devin White fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of LSU. White is 26 years old and will be a free agent. Despite everything he has done for the franchise, it appears as if they will have no plans to bring him back.
Towards the end of last season, he lost his starting linebacker job to K.J. Britt. General manager Jason Licht spoke to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times earlier this week and said:
“No, we’re still trying to make some decisions on some of those other players. But, you know, Devin did some really good things for us throughout his career, but we’re still sorting out some things.”
A season with the Buccaneers, he recorded 83 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. He still has the talent to be successful on another NFL team. Devin White was helpful during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run a couple of seasons ago.
The alarming thing about him last season was his 30.8 PFF grade against the run. He still has talent in this league and it would be foolish for someone not to sign him. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract another team offers him and maybe he just needs a change of scenery.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht Glows Over the Other Inside Linebackers Outside of Devin White
Jason Licht also spoke to Rick Stroud about the other linebackers he has on his roster. K.J. Britt and SirVoeca Dennis is going to enter his second season in the NFL. Jason Licht told the Tampa Bay Times:
“I’m very excited about those guys, and I thought J.J. (Russell) did a nice job, too, for us when he stepped in for us as a starter. We’d like to have Lavonte (David) back. Put him on that Mount Rushmore of Bucs, too. I think everybody would. He had a hell of a year. We’d like to have him back, too. But we are excited about that young group. (Britt) is a great kid, too. He’s just a great teammate, and he’s always been the same every day, too. He waited for his opportunity and took advantage of it and thrived.”
Despite making it to the NFC Divisional Round last season and losing to the Detroit Lions after beating the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears as if Tampa Bay is going to be moving in a different direction in a lot of places this offseason. Wide receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield are also free agents and who knows if they will be back in Tampa Bay.
This is the perfect time for Devin White to move from the organization. He helped them deliver a Super Bowl title. It’s time for him to help another franchise win another because of how talented he is.