As the 2025 NFL Draft looms large on the horizon, teams across the league are sifting through hundreds of scouting reports, game film, and medical evaluations in an effort to land the next foundational piece of their franchise. One name that has stirred both excitement and caution is Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, a gifted and explosive defender whose recent injury has become a focal point in draft war rooms across the NFL—including at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa Bay.
Though widely regarded as a top-tier linebacker when healthy, Lawson’s injury history is giving some teams pause. However, others view him as a high-upside player worth betting on—particularly a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may be looking for a successor to Lavonte David and a long-term complement to Devin White, depending on how their roster shapes up this offseason.
With his future hanging in the balance and the Buccaneers exploring every potential edge in the 2025 draft, Lawson has become one of the most polarizing—and potentially rewarding—prospects in this year’s class.
The Talent: Who Is Deontae Lawson?
Deontae Lawson, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker from Mobile, Alabama, was a key cog in the Crimson Tide defense during his collegiate career. A former four-star recruit, Lawson rose quickly in Nick Saban’s defensive system thanks to his athleticism, football IQ, and sideline-to-sideline range. He not only anchored the middle of Alabama’s defense but also became a vocal leader—a trait highly coveted at the next level.
In 2023 and early 2024, Lawson looked like a surefire first-round pick. He posted back-to-back 80+ tackle seasons, flashed advanced coverage skills, and demonstrated an ability to blitz effectively off the edge or through interior gaps. His versatility and instincts made him a prototype for modern NFL defenses that demand both physicality and agility from their linebackers.
The Injury: Lingering Questions
Unfortunately for Lawson, his 2024 season was marred by injury. Midway through the campaign, he suffered a lower-body injury—believed to be a high ankle sprain with potential ligament complications—that sidelined him for multiple games and clearly hampered his performance when he returned late in the season.
Alabama’s coaching staff downplayed the severity of the injury, but scouts noticed a distinct dip in Lawson’s explosiveness. He struggled with lateral movement and appeared a step slower in coverage. At the NFL Combine, Lawson participated only in interviews and medical evaluations, opting out of drills. That decision has prompted speculation about the current status of his recovery.
While some teams have red-flagged his medicals, others—including the Buccaneers—are reportedly taking a deeper look, sending additional medical staff and requesting further imaging to determine whether the injury is something that will heal fully or linger long-term.
Tampa Bay’s Perspective: A Need for Reinforcement
The Buccaneers find themselves at a crossroads defensively. Longtime stalwart Lavonte David, now entering his 13th season, remains a leader but is clearly nearing the twilight of his illustrious career. Devin White, meanwhile, has dealt with inconsistency and injuries, and his long-term status with the team is uncertain after extension talks stalled last year.
Tampa Bay’s defense, while formidable in spurts, has lacked a consistent enforcer in the middle who can diagnose plays, direct traffic, and make game-altering stops. Lawson, if healthy, could be that player.
General manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles are both known for valuing versatility in defensive players. Bowles, a former defensive back himself, places immense responsibility on his linebackers to play both the run and pass, blitz the quarterback, and make pre-snap reads. Lawson fits that mold perfectly, assuming his health checks out.
NFL Opinions: Split on Draft Stock
NFL analysts and front office executives are divided on Lawson’s stock. Some mock drafts still project him as a late first-rounder, citing his talent and pedigree. Others suggest he could slip into the second or even third round if teams are uncomfortable with his medical outlook.
“He’s got the tape. He’s got the resume. But the health is a real question,” said one anonymous AFC executive. “This isn’t a torn ACL or something with a clear rehab timeline. There’s uncertainty around how much explosiveness he’ll regain. But if he’s 90 to 100 percent by camp, someone’s getting a top-20 player.”
For Tampa Bay, currently holding the 26th overall pick, the idea of trading down and scooping up Lawson early in the second round has been floated by local reporters and analysts. It could be a classic case of leveraging value—getting a first-round talent at a discount due to medical red flags.
The Medical Process: Behind Closed Doors
Every year, the NFL’s medical evaluation process becomes more advanced and rigorous. Teams not only rely on Combine results but also conduct their own follow-up assessments, often flying players into team facilities for additional tests.
According to sources close to the situation, Lawson has already visited with several teams for private evaluations, and the Bucs are reportedly one of them. Their medical team is known to be cautious but not risk-averse—especially if the injury does not involve chronic degeneration or long-term joint instability.
As part of the evaluation, teams assess the likelihood of re-injury, the player’s pain tolerance, and the expected timeline for full recovery. Lawson has reportedly been open and transparent in interviews, providing full access to his medical history and rehabilitation protocols.
Draft Day Scenarios: How It Could Play Out
If Lawson’s medical re-checks come back positive and he resumes running and cutting drills in pre-draft workouts or Alabama’s second pro day, he could re-solidify his place as a Day 1 pick. In that scenario, the Buccaneers would need to decide whether they’re willing to use a premium pick on a linebacker with some risk attached.
On the other hand, if teams remain skeptical, he could fall into Day 2. That would open the door for Tampa Bay to trade down or use one of their mid-round picks to land a potential starter with high upside.
Another possibility is that a team with a more established linebacking corps drafts Lawson with the intention of “redshirting” him for most of his rookie year, giving him time to fully heal while learning the playbook. The Bucs, depending on how they handle Lavonte David’s contract, might be in a perfect position to take that approach.
Historical Precedents: Risky Picks That Paid Off
Draft history is full of players who slid due to injury but blossomed once healthy. Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame to Dallas) and Myles Jack (UCLA to Jacksonville) are two high-profile linebackers who overcame serious draft-day injury concerns to become impact players—at least for stretches of their careers.
The key difference with Lawson is the nature of his injury: while not catastrophic, it’s nagging and somewhat opaque in terms of recovery. Still, the potential for a “steal” is very real, especially in a linebacker class that isn’t overwhelmingly deep outside of the top 4–5 prospects.
Lawson’s Camp: Confidence Amid Questions
Lawson and his representatives have taken a proactive approach to the draft process. They’ve circulated a video of him going through light drills to show progress, and he’s made himself available for interviews with local and national media, aiming to reassure teams of his commitment to recovery and readiness.
“Deontae knows what he brings to the table,” said his agent in a recent statement. “He’s been part of the most demanding program in college football. He’s faced adversity and played through pain. He’ll be ready to make an impact on day one.”
That kind of public confidence can resonate with franchises like Tampa Bay that value mental toughness and locker-room leadership.