NFL News: Buccaneers Sign 5th Overall Draft Pick, Devin White

devin white hit suspension

Getty Devin White will be suspended for the first half of the Alabama-LSU game.

The fifth overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, Devin White, has locked in a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the team. The linebacker from LSU will likely step in as a day-one starter for the Bucs.

The team has high hopes for White as he’ll immediately step in the help a Bucs’ defense that desperately needs his talents.

All eight of the team’s rookies are signed before they report to camp Sunday. The Buccaneers will be happy to have all players locked in with the team so they can move forward as an organization and continue to grow as a young group of talent. It’s a bit unsurprising that White was the last player to be signed as he was a first round pick, which often could be more complicated.

With any drama surrounding rookies seemingly avoided, the Bucs will have a defensive star to lean on, in White. He’ll likely start and keep that role for years to come.


Career at LSU

He played three seasons at LSU and was an absolute monster in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He’s a proven linebacker with great versatility and could do anything required of an inside backer.

His college statistics tell the story. White played eight games as a freshman and collected 30 tackles and a sack, before exploding onto the scene in his sophomore campaign. He had an SEC leading 133 tackles; 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and an interception.

His junior season before leaving LSU was more of the same, but he doubled his passes defended and secured two fumbles. His versatility was experimented with and he seems to be primed for a lot of playing time with the Bucs.

He’s listed at 6 ft, 237 lbs and can cover the field, sideline to sideline. He’ll step into a 3-4 defense as an inside linebacker, alongside Lavonte David. With great peripherals, White, should particularly be a menace on the inside. He can rush the passer and stop the run, which has to have the Bucs coaching staff buzzing.

Other Unsigned Draft Picks

White leaves a short list of the remaining first round draft picks yet to sign contracts.

The following first-rounders have yet to sign a deal:

  • New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams
  • San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa
  • New York Giants QB Daniel Jones
  • Carolina Panthers LB Brian Burns

It’s likely that these players will sign deals with their respective teams within the next week as they are highly prized players that could make an impact on any team.

READ NEXT: Former Cowboy Tony Romo Fires Back at Peyton Manning’s Criticism