The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been linked to University of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (#3) in CBS Sports' preseason edition of their 2026 mock draft
Getty
CBS Sports Lead Draft Analyst Mike Renner identified University of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen as the "perfect" Lavonte David replacement in the preseason edition of his 2026 mock draft.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The preseason is finally over and opening night for the NFL is less than a week away.
While that’s enough to make any football fan excited, it’s always fun to look ahead to see which prospects could be part of each team’s 2026 draft class. As the season unfolds, and each team’s needs become clearer, their mock draft targets will come into focus.
Even after coming back to the Buccaneers for a 14th season, Tampa Bay needs to continue planning for life after Lavonte David. Luckily for Bucs ownership, CBS Sports Lead Draft Analyst Mike Renner identified the “perfect” replacement for a Todd Bowles defense in the preseason edition of his 2026 mock draft.
Bucs Land University of Georgia Standout in 2026 Preseason Mock Draft
When the Buccaneers selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall this year, they made waves in the draft community. Even ESPN’s Jenna Laine was caught off guard by their choice, writing that it felt more like a “luxury pick” given their more pressing needs at edge rusher and cornerback.
But, Laine pointed out that it “could become a really smart pick” if Chris Godwin suffered a setback in his recovery. That’s especially true, considering Mike Evans is in the final year of his contract.
With that in mind, let’s jump ahead to the preseason edition of Mike Renner’s 2026 mock draft. If general manager Jason Licht decides to take a similar route this year, there’s a chance that Tampa Bay could select their linebacker of the future in CJ Allen.
“He’s a no-nonsense linebacker who wants to inflict pain to whomever is in front of him,” Renner wrote. “He’ll be a value add as a blitzer from Day 1.”
According to the Kyle Crabbs, NFL Draft Lead at The 33rd Team, Allen is a “rangy, sure-fire tackler on the second level.” Even though Crabbs had Allen going to the Denver Broncos just one pick ahead of the Buccaneers in his preseason mock draft, he wrote that the Georgia standout would make an incredible partner next to Dre Greenlaw.
If Allen does slip to the Buccaneers, he would either serve as a promising replacement for Lavonte David or a great partner-in-crime with the future Hall-of-Famer.
What Does the Bucs Linebacking Corps Look Like if Lavonte David Retires?
Even though Lavonte David decided to return for his 14th season in Tampa Bay, he signed a one-year deal. While that’s not uncommon for a player entering their age-35 season, it signals that his career could be coming to a close this winter.
Back in June, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports included David among 10 stars who could be calling it a career after the 2025 season. Sullivan wrote that despite still playing at a high level, “this could very well be the last ride” for the veteran tackling machine. If that is the case, the Bucs will need David’s decision to come early enough in the preseason to effectively plan for the draft.
It’s incredibly unlikely to find a player of his level in free agency, especially considering how much a player like that could cost. So, they may have to rely on finding a gem in the draft and developing their existing talent.
When it comes to their succession plan at linebacker, the main suspect is third-year linebacker Sir’Vocea Dennis. As part of their offseason coverage, Buccaneers Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix identified one under-the-radar player to keep an eye on for 2025.
Dix selected Dennis as her player to watch, writing that he possesses the “superb range” and “outstanding instincts” that can elevate the middle of the Bucs defense.
Now that the preseason is done, we’ll have to see what happens with the Bucs linebacking corps. If they do lose Lavonte David to retirement next offseason, I could see general manager Jason Licht targeting a player like CJ Allen.