SirVocea Dennis
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ pass defense struggled to slow down opposing aerial attacks throughout the vast majority of the 2024 season. Injuries depleted both the secondary and linebacker rooms of crucial contributors regularly, which led to the Bucs allowing 245 passing yards per game — which ranked 30th in the league.
Fortunately, one ESPN writer believes a healthy SirVocea Dennis could be the X factor to the Tampa Bay defense getting back on track in 2025.
Bucs LB SirVocea Dennis Could be the Key to Unlocking True Potential of Defense in 2025
Benjamin Solak of ESPN believes the Bucs’ decision to part ways with both K.J. Britt and Anthony Walker ahead of the upcoming season means that LB SirVocea Dennis could have a big year in 2025.
“The Buccaneers endured a ton of injuries in their back seven last season. The pass defense suffered for it, ranking 22nd in success rate against dropbacks and 24th in expected points added (EPA) per play. The LB2 position was an issue in coverage and run defense, as Dennis’ early-season shoulder injury left K.J. Britt, J.J. Russell and even veteran Deion Jones filling the spot,” wrote Solak. “Tampa Bay let Britt and Russell walk, and the team signed only Anthony Walker Jr. for depth. It then released Walker before the 53-man roster cut-down deadline. It’s hard to read this as anything but a ringing endorsement for Dennis’ health and preparedness to fill the starting spot opposite Lavonte David.”
The Bucs addressed the defensive side of the ball heavily in the 2025 NFL Draft by bringing in Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, David Walker, and Elijah Roberts, but elected not to select an off-ball linebacker — which could be seen as another endorsement of the organization’s belief in Dennis.
Solak added, “And for good reason: Dennis’ film was strong last September. He always has had issues staying on the field, but when he does, he’ll discourage those middle-of-the-field targets that often hurt Tampa Bay against quality pocket passers. That plus the young additions in the secondary could get the Bucs’ defense punching at the weight of the offense in 2025.”
Dennis was a menace when on the football field in 2024, producing 20 total tackles and a sack over his three full games of action last season before suffering an injury that cost him the rest of the year.
The Bucs defense was formidable when the duo of Lavonte David and Devin White were both playing at a high level back in 2020. David as the rock-solid weakside linebacker and White as the chaos creator blitzing from depth. If Dennis can stay healthy, it could give the Bucs their best starting duo at linebacker since their Super Bowl team back in 2020.
Do the Bucs Have the Potential to be a Top 10 Defense in 2025?
The Bucs’ defensive fate in 2025 will largely depend on the effectiveness of Dennis at linebacker, Haason Reddick at EDGE, and Tykee Smith’s move from nickel to safety.
The Bucs hope to get big contributions from the aforementioned Parrish and Morrison in the secondary, but their struggles against opposing tight ends last year acted as an Achilles heel that plagued the effectiveness of this unit throughout the season.
Dennis could be the key to fixing the Bucs’ coverage issues at linebacker, but will need to stay healthy to help this Tampa Bay defense reach its true potential in 2025.