A former Buccaneers star could sign a discounted contract

There was a time when Devin White represented the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense.

A first-round pick—fifth overall in 2019—he seemed destined to join the ranks of the franchise's great defensive legends, alongside names like Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp.

He quickly lived up to those expectations.

As early as his rookie season, he established himself as a key player, before reaching his peak in 2020 with a major role in the team's Super Bowl victory. In 2021, he even made the Pro Bowl, cementing his status among the league's best linebackers.

But since then, his trajectory has completely changed.

After his stint in Tampa Bay, his career took a rocky turn. In 2024, he briefly bounced between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans, before rebounding in 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he still managed to rack up 174 tackles in 17 games.

A Former Prospect Turned “Value-for-Money” Player

Today, Devin White finds himself in a very different situation from what was predicted for him early in his career. According to several analysts, including Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, he ranks among the best “bargain” free agents heading into the 2026 season.

His profile remains intriguing: an explosive player against the run and effective on first-down plays, but much more vulnerable in coverage—an aspect that has hindered his consistency at the highest level.

That's why several mid-tier teams are being mentioned as potential destinations, notably the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In those systems, his role would likely be more specialized, with limited involvement in passing situations.

With an estimated value of around $2.8 million on a one-year contract, White now represents a low-risk bet for a team seeking defensive depth.

His stint in Philadelphia in 2024, in fact, illustrates this decline in status. Signed to make an immediate impact, he was released midseason after losing his starting spot to Nakobe Dean. The Eagles then went on to reach the Super Bowl without him.

For White, the challenge is now simple: to prove that he can still be a reliable starter in the NFL. A new contract could be the opportunity to reignite a career that, despite an explosive start, is now in need of a second wind.