Devin White NFL Draft 2019: Scouting Report for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Pick
April 26, 2019
STRENGTHS
—Former prep running back who still looks the part with a blazing-fast 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash and a 39½" vertical jump. One of the best athletes to come out at linebacker in the last decade.
—Range for days; can get outside the tackle box but also stacks up well against blockers in the middle of the field. Improved his strength and technique to stack and shed before the 2018 season.
—Coaches' dream with top-end work ethic, coachability and a competitive streak.
—Agile mover who shows explosiveness coming out of his stance; can easily get outside to crash bubble screens or quick passes.
—Strong enough at 237 pounds to take on blockers in the gap and rock them back on their heels.
—Productive in the SEC and found ways to shine brightest in big games. Impacts games with tackles, sacks, interceptions and tackles for loss.
—Plays with a mean streak and a belief that the ball belongs to him.
—Can sink in coverage and run with tight ends, backs and receivers.
WEAKNESSES
—Instincts on defense are still being developed; will overrun the play or get caught guessing, but has been able to overcome in college due to speed.
—Can stand to play lower when taking on blockers or ball-carriers.
—A high-potential player who has two years of high-end production, but is still raw to the point that he needs more development in terms of reading and reacting.
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Trade to Cleveland Has the Browns Hyped
Le'Veon Bell's Power Move Pays Off After Signing Massive Deal with the Jets
Ole Miss WR D.K. Metcalf Looks Ready to Destroy NFL Combine or Take Down Thanos
Friends to Foes, Ex-UGA Teammates Sony Michel & Todd Gurley Meet in Super Bowl
Brandin Cooks Gave a Super Gift to This Special L.A. Rams Employee
MVP Front-Runner Patrick Mahomes Loves Ketchup as Much as Torching Defenses
Chicago Bears Hoping to Ride Club Dub All the Way to the Super Bowl
The Worst Fantasy Football Punishments for Last Place Finishers
NFL Players Bring Soccer Traditions to the NFL with Post-Game Jersey Swaps
JuJu Smith-Schuster Is a Man of the People
Buffalo Bills Superfan "Pancho Billa" Continues to Inspire Squad
Happy 26th Birthday to New York Giants WR and NFL Icon Odell Beckham Jr.
Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes Is 'Showtime' on More Than Just the Football Field
Adam Thielen's Wild Ride from Obscure Underdog to Record-Breaking Vikings WR
49ers' Kyle Shanahan and His Son Carter Are Hyped for Lil Wayne's Album to Drop
The Cleveland Browns Are Winning Off the Field Too with Their Community Service
Steelers RB James Conner's Journey from Beating Cancer to Starting in the NFL
Does Donovan McNabb Deserve Your 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Vote?
B/R Fantasy Expert Matt Camp Gives His Picks for Keep or Release After Week 2
Does Hines Ward Deserve Your 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Vote?
OVERALL
Devin White is the ideal modern NFL linebacker. He can stack up against the run, chase down outside plays, spy mobile quarterbacks or cover the middle of the field on pass plays. With no notable injury history, no off-field issues and elite athleticism, he's one of the safest players in the 2019 draft class.
GRADE: 7.35 (ROUND 1 - TOP-10 PICK)
PRO COMPARISON: Roquan Smith