The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went with a defensive-minded approach in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding a pair of high-upside cornerbacks in Benjamin Morrison (Round 2) and Jacob Parrish (Round 3), and two intriguing EDGE prospects in David Walker (Round 4) and Elijah Roberts (Round 5).
Todd Bowles and Co. still have work to do on that side of the football, per Josh Crysler of Pro Football Network.
Crysler tabbed inside linebacker as Tampa Bay’s biggest problem area following last weekend’s draft. “The Bucs’ longest tenured player and captain, Lavonte David, is entering his final season after taking his time to ponder retirement this offseason,” Crysler wrote for PFN. “The team likes SirVocea Dennis — a fifth-round pick in 2023 — but injuries have hindered his development. They also re-signed Deion Jones after he showed flashes as a backup late last season, and signed Anthony Walker in free agency.”
Crysler predicts the Bucs could solve the one major need left on their roster by swinging a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for former first-round pick Devin Llyod, who’s entering a contract year after the Jags’ new regime declined his fifth-year option last week.
“Lloyd has recently been linked to the Buccaneers, as the Jaguars appear ready to move on from him,” Crysler said. “Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is in need of talent at linebacker. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has existing ties to the Bucs’ front office from his time as an offensive coordinator, which could help facilitate a trade.”
Still only 26, Lloyd is one of the better young linebackers in football at defending the run and tackling in space. Where he’s left some meat on the bone is in pass coverage. He was picked on for five touchdowns allowed in 2024, per PFF, and gave up a passer-rating of 125.0 when targeted overall.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Lloyd’s fifth-year option number would have been over $14 million fully guaranteed for 2026. It’s not surprising that Jacksonville’s new leadership would pass on that hefty future cap hit.
If the Bucs love the idea of adding Lloyd to the middle of their defense, they could probably take him off Jacksonville’s hands for a Day 3 draft pick in 2026. They could only justify the move, though, by also inking Lloyd to a multi-year extension, as renting a player who’s currently set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season doesn’t make much sense.
MORE: Jaguars could cut ties with $6.1M starter due to tantalizing rookie
