Buccaneers’ Starting Lineup Projections: LB Battle Continues

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TL;DR

The Buccaneers are finalizing their starting lineup as OTAs approach, following the loss of Mike Evans and Lavonte David. The linebacker position remains uncertain, with Alex Anzalone and SirVocea Dennis in contention for starting roles.

Key points

Buccaneers are finalizing starting lineup projections.
Mike Evans left for the 49ers, creating lineup changes.
Lavonte David has retired, opening opportunities for others.
Emeka Egbuka is expected to take on a larger role.
Linebacker position remains uncertain with Anzalone and Dennis.

Tampa Bay BuccaneersMike EvansLavonte DavidEmeka Egbuka

Buccaneers’ Starting Lineup Projections: LB Battle Continues

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' OTAs are later in the month, and while starting lineups are in the works, Bleacher Report dropped its projections for all 32 teams on Thursday.

Tampa Bay lost wide receiver Mike Evans to the San Francisco for a $60 million payday and linebacker Lavonte David to retirement, which has created more opportunities for other players.

Second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka will have an increased role due to Evans' departure, but the true question mark for the Buccaneers is the linebacker position. Gary Davenport has former Detroit Lions Alez Anzalone and SirVocea Dennis leading the linebacker core, but they aren't penciled in as starters.

"The era-ending extended to the defense in Tampa -- for the first time in forever, Lavonte David isn't prowling the middle," Davenport wrote. "There's a wide-open competition to replace him, with Alex Anzalone, Christian Rozeboom, SirVocea Dennis and rookie Josiah Trotter all battling for two starting spots."

Anzalone is the most experienced out of the four, entering his 10th season after spending four years with the New Orleans Saints and five with the Lions. He signed a two-year, $17 million contract in the offseason, returning to the state where he spent four years with the from 2013-2016.