Buccaneers Add Speedy Linebacker With First Pick on Day 3 of 2023 NFL Draft

The Buccaneers have drafted another defensive player from the University of Pittsburgh to add to their growing collection of athletic defenders.

Collin Haalboom | Apr 29, 2023

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected SirVocea Dennis, a linebacker out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 153rd overall selection in the NFL Draft.

Following their selection of Calijah Kancey at 19th overall, SirVocea Dennis is the second Pitt Panther the Bucs have selected through the first four rounds of the draft, both on the defensive side of the ball.

Without a fourth round pick in this year's draft — which was traded away at this same time last year in order to move up and select CB, Zyon McCollum — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to remain patient on the third day of the NFL Draft.

Heading into Saturday, there was plenty of speculation that the Bucs may try and leverage one of their fifth or six round selections in order to trade up into the fourth, but as it turned out, Tampa Bay's GM, Jason Licht, was comfortable standing pat.

There are a number of different positions the Buccaneers could have chosen to address with this pick. Based on the current roster, and what they've done so far in the draft, tight end, offensive tackle, running back, safety/nick corner, were all positions that have been discussed in relation to the Bucs at this point of the draft.

As it turns out, the player that Jason Licht and the Bucs' front office felt was worth the wait, was linebacker, SirVocea Dennis

Dennis was a 1st Team All-ACC player in 2022. And like Kancey, he isn't very big, but he's extremely fast. Dennis was highly productive during his collegiate career, and in 12 starts last year, he led the Panthers defense in tackles last season with 94, which included 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one interception, three pass break ups, and two forced fumbles.

Dennis is a very instinctive player, and chances are the Bucs, at the very least, see him as an immediate contributor on special teams. What is the team's vision for SirVocea Dennis long term? We'll just have to see what Jason Licht has to say when he takes to the podium later today.

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Published Apr 29, 2023

COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.