Unexpected Buccaneers Rookie Tabbed as Surprising Offseason Standout by ESPN

With where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently stand as a franchise, being a successful team starts by having successful drafts. In the post-Tom Brady era, the Buccaneers will have to double down in the draft to properly surround their quarterbacks with the talent needed to find their way back to Super Bowl contention. 

ESPN created a list of one surprise standout for each NFL team after watching both rookie camp and minicamp. ESPN's Jenna Laine described SirVocea Dennis, Buccaneers rookie linebacker, as the team's surprise standout thus far.

A rookie fifth-round pick known more for his pass-rushing ability than his coverage skills at Pitt, Dennis had two pick-sixes in offseason practices — one in rookie camp, then one off Kyle Trask in minicamp. He’s battling with K.J. Britt for the third inside linebacker job behind Devin White and Lavonte David. For a defense that has struggled to get interceptions, it certainly got my attention.

As Laine noted, Dennis was known for his pass-rushing skills at Pitt, where he was teammates with first-round pick Calijah Kancey, so his presence with his pass coverage is important heading into the season.

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Last season, the Buccaneers were the eighth-worst team when it came to forcing turnovers in the passing game, as they had just ten interceptions on the season. If Dennis is able to provide value in both pass-rushing and pass-coverage, he will make the battle with K.J. Britt for the third inside linebacker job quite interesting.

Preseason and training camp will both be huge for Dennis, as he can prove his impact on defense. The Buccaneers' first taste of preseason action comes on August 11th against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tampa Bay. 

In college, Dennis collected just two interceptions, one in each of his final two seasons. Again, as Laine noted, his impact was in the pass-rush game. He totaled 15 sacks in his collegiate career, with seven of those coming in his final season.