Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is entering his ninth NFL season, but as Devin White learned, he can still move for an old man.
David turned 30 this year, but is already the seasoned veteran of this linebacker group, which could be one of the best in the league. With an All-Pro season already under his belt, it’s not surprising to see David land on the NFL’s list of the 30 best players over 30. David came in at No. 19.
Here’s what NFL.com writer Ali Bhanpuri had to say:
“The third-wheel in what might go down as the greatest three-down linebacker draft class of all time, David rarely receives the recognition he deserves. I already don’t feel good about ranking him in the late teens. The ninth-year pro, who incredibly only has one Pro Bowl nod to his name (and that wasn’t even during his All-Pro season) was a rock for an improved Bucs defense last year, lining up for 99.6 percent of the unit’s snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. He finished the campaign with the second-best completion percentage allowed above expected (-11.9%) at the position, and as one of just two ‘backers (Jayon Brown was the other) who didn’t surrender a TD in coverage (min. 50 targets). But my favorite David stat of 2019 shows his maniacal relentlessness: He had 19 hustle stops — defined by NGS as defensive stops where the player covers 20-plus yards of in-play distance from snap to tackle — which was more than twice as many as All-Pro and fellow 2012 draft classmate Demario Davis. If only Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner had been drafted by AFC teams …”
One of the best parts about Tom Brady coming to the Buccaneers is that the team will play five prime-time games, meaning guys like David and Mike Evans will finally get to show NFL audiences what Bucs fans have known for years.
For those wondering, Brady also landed on the list (of course), coming in at No. 17. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was ranked at number one.
[lawrence-related id=37200,36770,36576,29840]