Back in 2019, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made inside linebacker Devin White the fifth pick in the NFL Draft. He hasn’t lived up to his draft position. While White has become well-known, helping the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV, making a Pro Bowl, and being named a second-team All-Pro member, White isn’t without his flaws.
White is a tackling machine, and he’s shown he is plenty capable of being a productive blitzer, but his coverage skills could use some work. Last season White graded as the fourth-worst linebacker in coverage, per Pro Football Focus, where he allowed 10.2 yards per reception. He didn’t fare any better as a run defender either, where he also ranked fourth-worst among linebackers who played at least 50% of their team’s snaps.
But we’ve seen flashes of White’s talent, whether it’s his sideline-to-sideline speed, ability to rack up tackles, or even get after QBs, where he’s tallied 20.5 sacks in four seasons. Could White simply need a change of scenery?
Well, with the 25-year-old entering the final year of his rookie contract, extension discussions don’t appear to be making progress. Now White has requested a trade, where he’s likely hoping to secure a long-term contract heading into the 2023 season.
But which teams are strong fits for the Pro Bowl linebacker? Who’s even in a position to swing a trade and pay the former first-round pick? Let’s examine four possible trade fits for Devin White.
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New York Giants land new starting linebacker
The New York Giants made the surprising decision to move on from Blake Martinez ahead of the 2022 season opener after just two seasons with the team. Despite having the 17th-ranked defense, good enough to reach the postseason, the G-Men haven’t found a legitimate replacement for Martinez at middle linebacker since.
Consider linebacker a need heading into the draft, where the Giants hold the 25th, 57th, and 89th picks in the first 100 selections. But these are valuable spots where they have other needs to address, such as receiver, cornerback, and the interior offensive line too.
In turn, it wouldn’t shock us to see GM Joe Schoen find a long-term solution to lead the linebacking corps such as White. Yet, the Giants have already handed out a large contract to Daniel Jones, and still need to get Saquon Barkley signed to a long-term extension, plus Dexter Lawrence. They may not have room in the budget to bring on White too.
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Mike Vrabel lands toolsy linebacker for Tennessee Titans
After playing 14 seasons in the NFL, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel knows what a linebacker should look like. Yet, the Titans have had trouble identifying a difference-maker at the position as of late. Signing Azeez Al-Shaair could help, but even he’s only on a one-year contract, putting the organization in a similar position next offseason.
Trading for Devin White would give coach Vrabel the toolsy linebacker capable of doing it all, giving the Titans a true leader in the middle as a former Super Bowl champion and team captain with the Bucs.
With first-year GM Ran Carthon only having three picks in the top 100 (11, 41, 72), and a total of just six overall, the Titans may prefer to save their money while banking on Shaair, Monty Rice, and Jack Gibbens to lead the way at linebacker.
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Devin White gets traded to Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are in a strong position already heading into the 2023 NFL Draft with the sixth and 18th picks in the first round. They also hold the 48th, 55th, and 81st picks in the top 100 selections. Boasting a total of nine picks altogether, the Lions have plenty of draft capital, yet are looking to make a push for the NFC North division crown.
Adding nine rookies won’t turn a team into an immediate contender, but adding three of the top sixty players in the NFL Draft could help provide a quick spark. Yet, if we learned one thing about Jeff Okudah recently being jettisoned from the roster three years after becoming the third overall pick, it’s that prospects are no sure thing.
Neither is White. There’s no guarantee he can quickly become a more consistent player in Detroit’s defense, yet he’s still a lot better than who they already have. We’d consider linebacker a need for the Lions heading into the draft process, and as mentioned, even if they select one in their first five or so picks, there’s no guarantee he turns into a Day One starter. That won’t be the case with White, who can make an impact right away.
- Devin White’s contract: $11.7 million in 2023 (final year of contract)
The biggest issue will be coming to terms on a new contract extension with White, trying to determine the value of a player who has yet to even play a snap in Detroit’s defense. But the Lions still have some of the most cap space in the NFL, with over $28 million available to spend, so there’s plenty of room in the budget. Not to mention having an abundance of draft capital too.
If the Lions are serious about contending for a playoff spot in 2023, parting with something like a mid-round selection plus a Day 3 pick shouldn’t get in the way of adding a premier talent like Devin White.
Los Angeles Rams find their Bobby Wagner replacement
Unlike recent years, the Los Angeles Rams actually have some draft capital this offseason. Yet, it has come at a cost, with a much less talented roster than the one we saw win Super Bowl LVI. Jalen Ramsey is gone, and now 2022 marquee signee Bobby Wagner has re-joined the Seattle Seahawks, and the Rams don’t have a strong in-house replacement.
The Rams still don’t have a first-round pick, with their top selections being No. 36, 69, and 77, and a total of 11 choices to make on draft weekend. But picks 69 and 77 should get them in the conversation for a potential trade for White.
While the Buccaneers don’t want to trade their starting middle linebacker either, they’re also nowhere near contending for another Super Bowl. Adding whatever draft compensation they can get before White leaves as a free agent may be wise.
For the Rams, they’d be getting a plug-and-play solution at middle linebacker who can quickly emerge as the team’s leading tackler while also providing a pass-rush presence. But again, general manager Les Snead would have to find common ground on an extension for the linebacker, who has delivered mixed results thus far.
- Devin White stats last season: 124 tackles (8 TFL), 5.5 sacks, 5 PD, 2 FF
While White may have some flaws in coverage, once again, he’s much better than who the Rams have right now. If coach Sean McVay wants to see a quick turnaround, trying to compete in the NFC West, having White on board would be much better than not having him around, relying on a revolving door of uncertainty.
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