Linebackers
Starting with the obvious, Tampa Bay unquestionably has the best LB core in the entire league, and now these guys have played three seasons together. Shaquill Barret, Devin White, and Lavonte David. Outside linebackers Shaq Barrett and Devin White have a combined total of 52.5 sacks since 2019 with the Bucs, as well as forcing 15 fumbles. Disruptive. The leader of not only that trio, but the entire defense, is Lavonte David, who earns his living by facilitating Tampa’s defense. Now going into his tenth season as a Buccaneer, it’s safe to say that he’s the center piece of Todd Bowles defense. 347. The amount of tackles David has had in the last three seasons with the Bucs which is over 100 per year. The production level from this unit is unmatched anywhere else in the NFL.
The remaining phases of the defense(Defensive Line and Secondary) are both above average when compared to the league but we’ll breakdown the big guys first
The Big Guys
Veteran DT Ndamukung Suh, revealed that he would not be returning back to the Bucs for the 2022 season, but this unit is still in good hands. The 2018 first round pick for Tampa, DT Vita Vea, has been one of the better players in the NFL at the position, earning a pro-bowl nod last season. There’s also the addition of former Bears DT, Akiem Hicks. The veteran Hicks, is a slight upgrade and replacement for Suh.
He, along with the edge rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, shore up a formidable defensive line. Pierre-Paul is going into his 13th season, and his production has remained consistent, minus injuries. Tryon-Shoyinka, on the other hand is going into his second season. In his rookie campaign, the former Washington stand-out totaled 10 QB hits and 4 sacks while only starting six games. Throughout all these groups, theres a great mix of proven vets and young superstars, which is a recipe for success.
Secondary
Last but far from least is the Tampa Bay Secondary. The most notable addition to this unit is veteran Keanu Neal, who brings a lot of versatility, playing multiple positions on defense. Ultimately, the Bucs kept most of their off-season transactions in house as they re-signed players like CB Carlton Davis, whom signed a contract extension worth $44.5 million over the next three years. However, Davis may not even be the best CB on the team, which goes to show the talent the Bucs posses.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting is as good if not better than Davis, which proves their starting CB’s are not to be taken lightly. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned Jamel Dean, who is third string on Tampa’s depth chart, but would be a starter on most other teams in the league. Antoine Winfield rounds out this star-studded group at the Safety spot, now Winfield may be the best player in Tampa’s secondary. Last year, he earned a pro-bowl selection and in his rookie season aided the Bucs in there unbelievable Super Bowl run.
When you think of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent years, you think about Brady and the offense. But as cliche as it may be, defense wins championships, and this defense hasn’t cracked many “top 10” list, even after doing just that. Bucs fans won’t agree because they know and value what this unit is capable of, but league-wide, this defense is highly underrated. This defense has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL and no one is mentioning it.
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