Tampa Bay Buccaneers: First round options in 2019 NFL Draft
Devin White, LB, LSU
No linebacker in the 2019 class has the combination of production, leadership, and athleticism as Devin White.
But like a locomotive with no brakes, White can play out of control at times.
The question the Buccaneers face is whether or not to use the fifth overall pick on a guy who is not quite the prospect Roquan Smith (picked 8th overall in 2018) was and build their entire draft class around him.
The athletic tools are enough to put White among the top 10 players in this draft. Are his deficiencies minimal enough to overlook given his strengths?
The Buccaneers lost Kwon Alexander to injury last year and then to free agency this offseason. He signed a huge deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Buccaneers’ top two linebackers for Todd Bowles’ scheme right now are Lavonte David and Deone Bucannon. Running a 3-4 defense, do the Bucs have a desperate ‘need’ for White?
The Bucs also have yet another former LSU ‘backer — 2017 third-round pick Kendell Beckwith — coming back from injury this year.
Beckwith was an 11-game starter as a rookie in 2017.
White may have the athletic tools to trump the Bucs’ current depth at the position, and he’s certainly an option, but I’m not so sure he’s the best option for them.