After 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the legendary Lavonte David is on the verge of retirement. While nothing is set in stone, it's challenging to picture David suiting up for his age-36 season. In 2025, David's performance dipped slightly, signaling a possible end to his storied career.
Bucs insider Greg Auman noted that David seemed "a step slower" last season, a fair observation given the circumstances. Auman also highlighted a potential successor if David decides to hang up his cleats: Nakobe Dean.
Dean, entering his first free agency, has faced a few injury setbacks but has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy. In 2025, he played in 10 games, boasting a 62.5% completion rate and an 80.7 passer rating when targeted-both personal bests. Dean's track record is impressive; he snagged the 2021 Butkus Award as college football's top linebacker and quickly rose to prominence with the Eagles, contributing to their Super Bowl LIX victory.
The Buccaneers are in dire need of a player like Dean. Their linebackers struggled in pass defense last season, ranking in the bottom seven for completion percentage allowed. Dean's arrival could be a game-changer.
While David was known for many strengths, pass defense wasn't his forte, especially last season when he allowed a career-high seven touchdowns and a 120.1 passer rating. SirVocea Dennis also faced challenges, allowing an 85% completion rate and a 122.0 passer rating.
Dean's addition could immediately bolster the defense. Not only is he adept at pass coverage, but he also has a knack for reaching the quarterback.
Though he has just 7.5 career sacks, his efficiency is notable. In 2024, he recorded three sacks on 41 blitzes, and in 2025, he added four sacks and nine pressures on just 15 blitzes.
These stats highlight his potential impact if utilized effectively.
However, Dean's high missed tackle percentage is a concern. In 2025, he posted a 9.8% missed tackle rate, slightly higher than the 7.9% he logged in 2024, the year he became a Super Bowl champion. Despite this, his overall potential makes him a valuable target for the Bucs.
With a projected market value of around $9 million per year, securing Dean could be a savvy move for Tampa Bay. He has the opportunity to become a pivotal player, addressing the defensive woes that plagued the team in 2025.