Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linked to Alabama LB: Crimson Tide Star Draws NFL Interest in Post-Draft Buzz
As the dust settles from the 2025 NFL Draft, franchises across the league are turning their attention to finalizing rosters, signing undrafted free agents, and evaluating potential summer standouts. Among the more intriguing post-draft storylines is the strong link emerging between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an Alabama linebacker—an elite defender whose SEC pedigree and game-breaking athleticism make him a logical fit for a team rebuilding its defensive core. The speculation is intensifying, and for good reason: Alabama linebackers have long been NFL-ready products, and Tampa Bay’s linebacker room is in flux.
Buccaneers’ Linebacker Landscape in Transition
The Buccaneers’ defense, once anchored by the likes of Lavonte David and Devin White, is entering a new era. David, now 35, signed a one-year extension this offseason but is clearly approaching the twilight of his career. Meanwhile, White departed in free agency, leaving a significant hole in the team’s middle defense. Though K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis offer rotational potential, Tampa Bay lacks a long-term solution with All-Pro upside at inside linebacker.
Enter Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, a name that’s increasingly being linked with the Buccaneers through multiple post-draft reports and league sources. Though Lawson ultimately went undrafted due to lingering concerns about injuries and positional value, his raw tape and pedigree speak volumes. Now, Tampa Bay is rumored to be targeting him as a priority undrafted free agent or a summer camp invitee—a low-risk, high-reward move that could pay off quickly.
Who is Deontae Lawson?
Deontae Lawson, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker from Mobile, Alabama, was a stalwart in Nick Saban’s final years at the helm of the Crimson Tide. Widely regarded as the “glue” of Alabama’s 2023 and 2024 defenses, Lawson displayed rare sideline-to-sideline range, sharp football IQ, and leadership traits that earned him team captain honors.
During the 2023 season, Lawson totaled 89 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He followed that with a 2024 campaign that saw a slight statistical dip—due in part to a nagging hamstring injury—but still produced 74 tackles and 8 tackles for loss in just 10 games. When healthy, Lawson was an elite run defender with the agility to cover tight ends and running backs in space.
His performances against top-tier competition—including a standout game against Georgia in the 2023 SEC Championship—cemented his reputation as one of college football’s smartest defenders. Yet, despite those accolades, Lawson found himself slipping down draft boards.
Why Lawson Went Undrafted
The primary factor contributing to Lawson’s slide was durability. He missed significant time during both the 2022 and 2024 seasons, and his medical evaluations reportedly raised red flags for several teams. Additionally, some scouts felt Lawson lacked top-end explosiveness in pass-rush situations, which limited his ceiling as a three-down linebacker.
Nevertheless, NFL evaluators consistently praised Lawson’s instincts and tape. For a team like Tampa Bay—already boasting elite edge rushers in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaquil Barrett—the Bucs don’t need Lawson to be a pass-rush demon. They need a steady, intelligent middle presence who can anchor the front seven, cover intermediate zones, and call plays.
Fit with Todd Bowles’ Defense
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles is a former defensive coordinator and one of the more creative minds when it comes to blitz packages and hybrid fronts. His 3-4 base scheme leans heavily on versatile linebackers who can fill multiple roles—blitz, drop into zone, and react quickly in space.
Lawson, known for his film study and rapid diagnostic ability, could thrive in such a system. His ability to read pulling guards and track misdirection is elite, and he would provide an ideal complement to the more explosive Devin White-type players Bowles has used in the past.
Lawson wouldn’t be asked to carry the defense from Day 1. Instead, he could rotate in on early downs, develop behind Lavonte David, and take over the play-caller role in 2026. With Bowles at the helm, few landing spots would maximize Lawson’s cerebral skill set better than Tampa Bay.
Bucs’ Track Record with Undrafted Talent
It’s also worth noting that the Buccaneers have a proven history of developing overlooked defensive talent. Cameron Gill (Wagner) and Anthony Nelson (Iowa) were both lightly regarded out of college but became key rotational contributors in Bowles’ system.
Adding Lawson would fit that mold. Given his college production, championship experience, and leadership background, he’s a prime candidate to outperform his undrafted status—much like Lavonte David did after being seen as undersized coming out of Nebraska in 2012.
Front Office Strategy
General manager Jason Licht has always emphasized value in roster construction. His approach to the 2025 draft showed a desire to build through the trenches and secondary, but linebacker remains a glaring need. Licht passed on several second-tier linebackers during Rounds 3–7, which fueled speculation that the team had eyes on post-draft targets like Lawson.
Tampa Bay currently has room to add camp invites and practice squad prospects, and insiders believe Lawson is among the top priorities. If the team can secure his commitment—whether through guaranteed money, a strong development plan, or connections within the Alabama coaching tree—it could be one of the most savvy acquisitions of the offseason.
Alabama-Tampa Bay Pipeline?
The idea of an Alabama-to-Tampa Bay pipeline isn’t new. The Bucs previously drafted O.J. Howard and signed former Tide players such as T.J. Yeldon and Brian Robinson Jr. in free agency. Nick Saban and Jason Licht have long had mutual respect, and Tampa Bay regularly sends scouts to Tuscaloosa.
That connection could play a key role in landing Lawson. If Lawson’s camp believes Tampa Bay offers a clear path to playing time and a strong developmental environment, the decision could come down to comfort and scheme fit. Bowles’ system, paired with a veteran mentor like David, would be hard to pass up.
What NFL Scouts Are Saying
Scouts interviewed at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine remained high on Lawson’s mental makeup, despite his injury setbacks. One NFC South scout said:
“Lawson doesn’t blow you away with combine numbers, but turn on the tape. He’s always in the right place, he’s a communicator, and he plays faster than he tests. He reminds me of a young Fred Warner before he bulked up.”
Another personnel executive told NFL Network:
“If Lawson stays healthy, he’ll be a starting Mike [linebacker] by next season. Teams overthink these things. He’s a coach on the field.”
For a Buccaneers team that values leadership, accountability, and defensive IQ, those comments speak volumes.
What’s Next?
If the Bucs do indeed land Lawson in the coming days, all eyes will be on rookie minicamp and training camp. With Lavonte David entering likely his final year and the team seeking identity in the middle of the field, Lawson could quickly rise up the depth chart.
Expect Lawson to compete for snaps alongside K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell, with the possibility of starting in nickel packages by midseason if he impresses early. He’ll need to stay healthy, adapt to NFL speed, and improve his man coverage technique, but the foundation is strong.
And if he pans out? The Buccaneers may have found their next long-term linebacker without spending a draft pick.
Final Thoughts
Deontae Lawson’s link to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is no mere rumor—it’s a calculated gamble that makes sense for both sides. For Tampa Bay, it’s a chance to reload a critical position with a proven SEC leader. For Lawson, it’s an opportunity to thrive in a defense that values intelligence and versatility.
As summer approaches and rookies take the field, the connection between Tampa Bay and Alabama’s former field general could become one of the most impactful stories of the offseason. In a league that rewards vision and fit as much as raw talent, Lawson might be exactly what the Buccaneers need to anchor their next defensive era.