Bucs Draft Preview + Bucs Best Bets: ILBs

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2023 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Scott Reynolds continues the previews with the inside linebacker position, and a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at linebacker. Reynolds also provides a detailed list of this year’s top inside linebackers and offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely inside linebacker for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Inside Linebacker

The Bucs have two of the better inside linebackers in the league in Lavonte David and Devin White – when both are on the field at the same time. That could be in jeopardy this year, as White has requested a trade over a contract dispute. Yet, both Todd Bowles and Jason Licht have said that the team has no plans to trade him.

The Bucs expect White to play out his fifth-year option, and if he becomes more consistent, then he’ll have a chance to cash in on a lucrative contract extension in Tampa Bay or elsewhere. Although the Bucs have all the leverage, it remains to be seen whether or not White will hold out of mandatory mini-camp or training camp.

The Bucs were able to re-sign David this offseason to a very cap-friendly deal. David had another very good, consistent season in 2022 and was one of Tampa Bay’s best defenders. But David will be 34 next January and won’t play a high level forever. He’s only on a one-year deal and the Bucs will need to begin planning for life after the team legend.

The Bucs have three other inside linebackers on the roster in KJ Britt, JJ Russell and Ulysses Gilbert. All three are special teamers who have not shown the ability to be long-term answers at linebacker on defense. Bowles and Licht are high on Britt, who has a good football I.Q. But he lacks the speed and athleticism that David and White bring to the table.

What The Bucs Need At Inside Linebacker

Sooner rather than later, the Bucs are going to need to address inside linebacker with a premium draft pick. The team must find a starting-caliber player to either replace David after next season or perhaps replace White this year if he holds out for the season. The Bucs got a glimpse of what it would look like without White and David in the starting lineup in the second half of their Week 18 loss at Atlanta.

Britt and Russell combined to make eight tackles, but also miss four tackles. The backups also combined to allow seven catches for over 100 yards in coverage as the Bucs were outscored 20-0 by the Falcons in the last two quarters.

The Bucs could use another fast, athletic linebacker who has starting potential. Bowles likes smart linebackers that are good communicators and have the ability to drop in coverage and blitz. This is not a particularly good or deep class of linebackers. In fact, there might not be an inside linebacker drafted in the first round this year.

Top Inside Linebackers In 2023 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Arkansas ILB Drew Sanders – Junior – 6-4, 235 – 4.64

Sanders is one heck of an athlete and can play two positions at the next level – off-ball linebacker as well as outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Sanders began his career as an edge rusher at Alabama, but transferred to Arkansas due to a lack of playing time. He notched just one sack in three starts for the Crimson Tide. When he arrived in Arkansas, he transitioned to inside linebacker, but was used as a pass rusher on third downs where he notched 9.5 sacks for the Razorbacks due to his length and athleticism.

Sanders also racked up 103 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss in addition to forcing three fumbles. Yet, he missed 20 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, so he’ll be a work-in-progress at the next level due to his lack of experience as an inside linebacker. Sanders did show nice range and the ability to drop in coverage, and broke up six passes and produced one interception. He has a high ceiling and just turned 22. Sanders projects as an early second-round pick, but could sneak into the first round if there’s a team that loves him.

2. Iowa ILB Jack Campbell – Senior – 6-5, 249 – 4.65

Whereas Sanders is new to the inside linebacker position, Campbell has just about mastered it. A big-framed linebacker at 6-foot-5, 249 pounds, Campbell is quite a physical specimen, but doesn’t always play with the authority he should at that size. The two-time All-American was also a two-time captain at Iowa and is super serious about his craft, eschewing social media because he thinks it’s a distraction, as reported by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. While he looks like a downhill thumper, Campbell’s best attribute may be in pass coverage.

Campbell recorded 305 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and three sacks attacking the line of scrimmage, but notched 18 pass breakups and five interceptions in his five-year career with the Hawkeyes. While his 4.65 speed in the 40-yard dash is not blazing fast, Campbell crushed the agility drills and all of the other athletic testing at the Combine. Campbell is a student of the game and has a high football I.Q. He will challenge Arkansas’ Drew Sanders and Clemson’s Trenton Simpson to be the first linebacker off the board – likely in the early second round.

3. Clemson ILB Trenton Simpson – Junior – 6-2, 235 – 4.43

Simpson is one of the fastest and most athletic linebackers in this year’s draft. His 4.43 speed at the Combine was as good as advertised and his best trait is coverage due to his quick twitch and ability to hang with running backs out of the backfield, tight ends and slot receivers. Simpson played an overhang linebacker at Clemson and was not asked to line up often in between the tackles. Yet, Simpson only broke up six passes in three years for the Tigers and did not record a pick.

Simpson’s regular deployment in coverage and playing the overhang linebacker role has diminished his experience when it comes to sifting through the garbage at the line of scrimmage and sniffing out the ball, in addition to shedding blocks. The Tigers star is better as a run-and-pursue linebacker than a stack-and-shed point of attack ‘backer. But where he excels is blitzing. Simpson recorded 187 tackles and 22.5 tackles for loss in three years at Clemson, but notched 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. While he has immense physical talent, Simpson is still raw in some areas and needs to better hone his instincts. Still, he’s in the mix to be the first off-ball linebacker drafted – probably in the early part of the second round.

4. Washington State ILB Daiyan Henley – Senior – 6-0, 225 – 4.54

Henley started his career at Nevada, where he was a wide receiver in 2017 before moving to nickel DB the next year, then transitioning to linebacker in 2020. He didn’t get his first start until 2021 when he notched 102 tackles with four pass breakups and four interceptions for the Wolfpack. Henley transferred to Washington State for his sixth season (COVID bonus year) where he recorded 106 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass breakups and an interception.

Henley had a good Senior Bowl and Combine, where he upped his draft stock. He’s plenty fast, evidenced by his 4.54 speed, and has developed into an all-around linebacker who is close to being ready to start at the next level. He’s really only played linebacker for two years, so there is plenty of untapped potential there for an NFL team to work with, as long as there is some patience, too. Henley is a solid Day 2 pick and won’t last past the third round.

5. Tulane ILB Dorian Williams – Senior – 6-1, 228 – 4.49

Williams had a sensational senior campaign, helping to lead the Green Wave to a Top 15 ranking and a Cotton Bowl win over USC in a thrilling, come-from-behind victory with a career-high 17 tackles. He capped off his Tulane career with a nice showing at the Senior Bowl and running a 4.49 at the Combine. Williams has good size and range and closing speed against the run and the pass. He had 131 tackles as a senior and finished his Tulane career with 311 stops, 27 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Williams is the perfect, modern day linebacker due to his ability to drop into coverage. He broke up 15 passes in college, including nine as a senior, to go along with a pair of interceptions in his career. Williams also has a tremendous amount of special teams experience (759 snaps, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler), which only adds to his draftable value. The Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP is likely a third- or fourth-round pick in the draft.

Best Of The Rest

6. Wisconsin ILB Nick Herbig – Junior – 6-2, 240 – 4.65

Herbig is a high-motor, high-energy linebacker who spent a good deal of time at Wisconsin rushing off the edge. He racked up 21 sacks, including 20 over the past two years – 11 of which came in his final season for the Badgers. Herbig plays with a heady football I.Q. that helped him breakup seven passes and force four fumbles in three seasons. He’ll likely need to be a 3-4 outside linebacker or a learn-on-the-run inside linebacker, as he hasn’t spent the majority of his snaps lining up between the tackles. Herbig is a Day 2 pick, likely in the third round.

7. Alabama ILB Henry To’oto’o – Senior – 6-1, 227 – 4.62

To’oto’o began his career at Tennessee before transferring to Alabama, where he played his final two seasons. He was a consistent producer, racking up 354 tackles in his career, along with 31 tackles for loss with seven pass breakups, an interception and a sack. He struggles to get off blocks at times, but To’oto’o is a pretty instinctive linebacker who is very durable, not missing a single game in college. To’oto’o projects as a third- or fourth-rounder.

8. Texas ILB DeMarvion Overshown – Senior – 6-3, 229 – 4.56

Overshown is a very athletic, high-energy linebacker that makes more plays with hustle than he does with instincts. He needs to improve his tackling, which is inconsistent and frustrates scouts given that he was a four-year starter at Texas. Overshown was a solid producer for the Longhorns, as he notched 249 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 20 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. He is likely a third- or fourth-round selection.

9. Auburn ILB Owen Pappoe – Junior – 6-2, 225 – 4.39

Pappoe was the fastest linebacker at the NFL Scouting Combine and could be the fastest linebacker in this draft class. He has a slighter build than most linebackers, but isn’t afraid to hit. Pappoe is a violent hitter on defense and on special teams. He’s one of three SEC players to pick off Bryce Young and had two INTs to go along with nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 256 tackles. Pappoe had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine. The Bucs have drafted three Auburn defenders since 2018.

10. Louisville ILB Yasir Abdullah – Senior – 6-0, 237 – 4.47

Like other linebackers in this class, Abdullah was primarily a standup edge rushing linebacker in college. He could be a good fit in a blitz-heavy scheme, as he recorded 23.5 sacks at Louisville and seven forced fumbles with 19.5 of those sacks coming over the last two seasons. Abdullah has good range in coverage, evidenced by 11 pass breakups and three interceptions. But his size and lack of experience playing in between the tackles will cause him to slide to the fourth round.

11. Cincinnati ILB Ivan Pace Jr. – Senior – 5-10, 230 – 4.59

Pace is a short, yet compactly-built linebacker who was an effective blitzer for both the Miami Redhawks (2019-21) and the Bearcats (2022). He logged 21 sacks, including 11 last year, in addition to 10 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and an interception. Pace is a fast, high-motor, violent hitter. But his lack of ideal height and his short arms will work against him in the NFL Draft. Pace figures to be a fourth-round pick.

12. Oregon ILB Noah Sewell – Junior – 6-1, 246 – 4.64

Sewell is a throwback, down-hill thumper at linebacker. He has great size, physicality and a nose for the football. Sewell is stout against the run, but limited in coverage, especially man coverage where his lack of ideal speed and change of direction show up. Still, Sewell did 11 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions along with 215 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Sewell has a fourth- or fifth-round grade.

13. Pittsburgh ILB SirVocea Dennis – Senior – 6-0, 226 – 4.63

Dennis a smaller, leaner linebacker but isn’t afraid to mix it up and plays bigger against the run. The three-year starter racked up 239 tackles, 36 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks at Pittsburgh where he lived behind the line of scrimmage. Dennis is a great blitzer, but can also drop in coverage and hold his own. He produced five pass breakups and two interceptions for the Panthers. Dennis, who was a big-time leader and a mainstay on special teams, is likely a mid-Day 3 selection.

14. Indiana ILB Cam Jones – Senior – 6-1, 226 – 4.60

Jones is a well-rounded, do-it-all linebacker with a very high football I.Q. He’s an above-average athlete, but wins with his instincts and nose for the football, evidenced by five forced fumbles, seven sacks, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions, including a pick-six. Jones is a Bucs-style linebacker who could play either the middle (Mike) or weakside (Mo) spot in Tampa Bay. He missed the final seven games of his senior season with a foot injury, but was averaging 10.8 tackles per game in the first five games. Jones is likely a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

15. Vanderbilt ILB Anfernee Orji – Junior – 6-1, 230 – 4.53

Strong, athletic and explosive, Orji has a lot of good physical attributes. But his stiff hips work against him when it comes to change of direction and working hand-in-hand with his questionable instincts. Orji was a three-year starter were he notched 272 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, four sacks, five forced fumbles, six pass breakups and one interceptions. Coverage is not his strong suit, and that will force him into the middle of Day 3.

16. TCU ILB Dee Winters – Senior – 5-11, 227 – 4.49

Winters was a big catalyst on defense in TCU’s national championship run. He’s fast, but very undersized and gets too easily engulfed in blocks in the run game. Winters was often playing an overhang position and protected from offensive linemen as a result. He was a productive tackler with 246 career tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Winters exceled in coverage with 10 pass breakups and three interceptions, but his limitations will cause him to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

17. Duke ILB Shaka Heyward – Senior – 6-3, 235 – 4.53

Heyward is a smart, athletic team captain who was a four-year starter at Duke. He racked up 340 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks around the line of scrimmage, while notching 11 pass breakups and four interceptions in coverage. Heyward is more fast than agile, but he has a great deal of experience on special teams, which will help him make an NFL team’s roster. Heyward is a late Day 3 pick, likely in the sixth- or seventh-round.

Bucs Best Best At Inside Linebacker

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Auburn ILB Owen Pappoe

While the Bucs might be tempted to take one of the top-rated inside linebackers like Arkansas’ Drew Sanders or Iowa’s Jack Campbell, Tampa Bay might have more pressing needs at other positions, such as offensive tackle, outside linebacker and safety/nickel. Campbell would be a great fit in red and pewter, but the Bucs have found some good defenders from Auburn in recent years (cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean and linebacker KJ Britt). Owen Pappoe could be next Tiger to join the Bucs defense.

Both head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht want to field a faster team in 2023, and Pappoe is the fastest linebacker in this year’s draft class, evidenced by his 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Pappoe is a fierce hitter who still has plenty of upside to grow his game. He’s athletic enough to either replace Devin White eventually at middle linebacker (Mike) or Lavonte David at weakside linebacker (Mo). Pappoe can tackle, blitz and cover, and he could be special teams star while he develops during his rookie season. He could be the Bucs’ third-round pick.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Indiana ILB Cam Jones

If the Bucs wait until Day 3 to address inside linebacker, there are some enticing options, including Pappoe if he slides to the fourth round, Pittsburgh’s SirVocea Dennis, and Jones. The Hoosiers star is a smart, savvy inside linebacker with very good instincts and above average athleticism. Jones has the ability to drop off in coverage or be the occasional blitzer, and is good at sniffing out the ball between the tackles in the running game.

He’s not the biggest linebacker, but his play style is reminiscent of Bucs legend Lavonte David, especially when he’s lined up in the slot or the weakside in coverage. Todd Bowles will appreciate Jones’ high football I.Q. and leadership qualities. Jones was one of the few linebackers to receive a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine. He could be a viable option for the Bucs in the fifth or sixth round.

 

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