The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hoping a healthy SirVocea Dennis would solve their coverage issues at the linebacker position entering the new NFL season. Unfortunately, the struggles of Dennis and Father Time beginning to tap Lavonte David on the shoulder have made this position group a potential concern for the Bucs defense again in 2025.
Well, one NFL analyst has the Bucs addressing the linebacker position in a big way in a recent 2026 NFL mock draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Ohio State LB Sonny Styles in Latest PFSN 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Sports Network had the Bucs addressing the defensive side of the football in round one for the vast majority of the 2025 NFL Draft season. To the surprise of many, Jason Licht decided to go with Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka — which has provided great returns to start this season.
Yet, Cummings appears to be doubling down on the Bucs addressing the defensive side of the ball in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft. where he has the Bucs selecting speedy Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.
Cummings wrote, “A former safety, Sonny Styles has quickly grown to become one of the most complete LB prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has a long 6â4â³ frame, explosive and fluid athleticism, sharp situational instincts, blitzing utility, and natural security as a second-level cover man.”
Styles is off to a solid start to his senior season in Columbus with 11 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble through his first four games. His athleticism and experience as a safety could be a potentially ideal fit for a linebacker group who has struggled to defend opposing running backs throughout the first month of the 2025 NFL season.
SirVocea Dennis has stepped into a full-time starting role opposite of Lavonte David, where both players have had their fair share of issues in coverage. Particularly Dennis, who has a coverage grade of 27.6 from Pro Football Focus through the first four games of the season.
KC Martinez of NFL Draft Buzz wrote, “What makes Styles intriguing is how his skill set aligns with current defensive trends toward hybrid players, though that versatility could also work against him if teams struggle to define his optimal role. His zone coverage shows promise and should improve with proper coaching, but his limitations in man coverage against quicker targets will need addressing before he can handle every-down responsibilities. The pass rush ability he’s flashed provides additional value, yet his technique when attacking interior gaps remains raw enough that opposing offensive lines will target those weaknesses early in his career.”
Dennis has looked lost in zone coverage on a handful occasions in 2025, which could make a versatile linebacker with legit pass coverage chops a potential option for the franchise this upcoming offseason.
How Much Have the Bucs Struggled Against Pass-Catching Running Backs in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been allowing an average 61 receiving yards to opposing running backs through the first four games of the NFL season, which is the second-highest mark in the league.
If the Bucs can’t get some improvement from Dennis on this front moving forward, then it could act as an Achilles heel for this defense throughout the 2025 NFL season.
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