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Buccaneers Feel Comfortable Without Devin White Moving Forward
White may have signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Bucs are confident in the next man up.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Devin White with the fifth overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft. In the modern era, using a top-five selection on an inside linebacker is a rarity. That said, no one blinked an eye when the Bucs made the selection simply because Devin White’s physical tools were so tantalizing. Throw in the consistent performance, leadership, and by all accounts intangibles that he demonstrated at LSU and it felt like Devin White was destined to be the next great Buccaneer linebacker.
If his first year in the league was any indication, the Buccaneers made the right choice. White was a force in all facets of the game, and he was the team’s most impactful defender throughout their impressive playoff run, which eventually culminated in a Super Bowl victory at Raymond James Stadium.
But in the NFL, life comes at you quick. And just as quickly as Devin White had triumphantly burst onto the scene, he began to fall out of favor in Tampa. Over the next three seasons, Devin White failed to play consistent, disciplined football within Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme despite his undeniable talent. When the team chose to pick up his fifth-year option, it was hoping to see a rejuvenated version of the athletic linebacker in a contract year this past season.
White responded by publicly requesting a trade, which he later rescinded. And when it was time to prove his worth on the field, White came up short. He was often a liability in coverage, unable to consistently shed blockers in the run game, while at the same time, not showing the type of effort that is required to be successful in the NFL – no matter how talented you may be.
Before season’s end, Devin White had been relegated to a rotational role, splitting possessions with K.J. Britt, a 2021 fifth round draft pick.
In mid march, Devin White signed a 1-year prove it deal worth up to $7.5 million with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Although it’s far from ideal to see a top-5 pick sign with another team after just four seasons in the league, Devin White’s departure represents a certain amount of relief for Bucs fans. No longer will they be tormented by glimpses of what he could have been, and what he really was, on a play-to-play basis.
Recently, Todd Bowles was asked to chime in on whether or not K.J. Britt is capable of stepping into White’s role as a full time starter next to Buccaneer great, Lavonte David.
‘We’re not running the 40. He’s a football player," Bowles said. "You’ve got to get around him to use your speed. K.J., what he lacks in two steps in the speed department, he makes up for being in the right place and understanding the game. You can play fast and not be fast, and you can be fast and not play fast.”
Is this vote of confidence in K.J. Britt an indication that the team will not look to address the position in the draft? Absolutely not. The team has been doing their homework on this year’s crop of inside linebackers, and after not signing any in free agency, It’s widely expected that they’ll use one of their draft picks to select one.
Is this comment from Bowles a subtle jab at Devin White? Maybe. But that’s not really Todd Bowles’ style. The comment was likely meant to draw attention to K.J. Britt’s abilities. That being said, referencing the 40-yard dash, and saying “you can be fast and not play fast” feels like it could just as easily be in reference to White’s lack of effort as it is Britt’s capabilities.
Either way, it’s safe to say that just like the fans in Tampa Bay, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is turning the page on the Devin White era. Whether it’s K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, a combination of both, or a player not yet on the roster, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking forward to more consistent effort and production from the inside linebacker position in 2024.
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