Lavonte David news changes Buccaneers' NFL Draft plans
There's a new sense of urgency in Tampa.
Lavonte David news changes Buccaneers' NFL Draft plans originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The offseason is the time for change, renewal, and upside in the unknown.
But some change hurts more than others, and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , this spring has been particularly difficult. Longtime wide receiver Mike Evans is the San Francisco 49ers ' newest threat on the boundary. Linebacker Lavonte David has left for the greener pastures of retirement.
Both were stalwarts through the best and worst of the Buccaneers' last decade-plus, and as they find new homes, Tampa Bay has work ahead of it this spring. Fortunately, the emergence of Emeka Egbuka softens the blow of Evans' departure. Linebacker, meanwhile, is a different story.
Will the Buccaneers draft a linebacker in Round 1? Tampa Bay made sure to add to its linebacker room this offseason by signing Alex Anzalone to a two-year, $17 million deal. Rather than joining David at the second level, he'll be headlining the middle of the Buccaneers defense, barring a big-time acquisition.