While Lavonte David is often praised for his consistency as a tackler and field general, his ability to generate takeaways has quietly remained a steady part of his all-around game. Whether through forcing fumbles, recovering loose balls, or intercepting passes in zone coverage, David has long been one of the NFL’s most complete linebackers.
Now entering his 14th NFL season, David remains a focal point of the
Buccaneers
’ defense, and his veteran instincts continue to create big-play opportunities.
David put together another strong year in 2024, finishing with 122 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and three takeaways: one interception and three forced fumbles. Even at age 34, he continued to make impact plays. His forced fumbles came in critical situations, and he remained effective in coverage thanks to elite recognition and positioning. While his raw athleticism may have declined slightly, David compensated with sharp play recognition and textbook technique, particularly when closing on ball carriers and breaking on short routes.
There’s good reason to believe David’s takeaway production can even improve slightly in 2025.
In 2024, David played over 1,150 defensive snaps, which were the most of any Buccaneer. With a thin depth chart behind him, he’s likely to retain an every-down role. Under Todd Bowles, David’s responsibilities remain consistent: zone coverage, blitz timing, and tight pursuit angles. These assignments often lead to missed chances. Lastly, while younger players may rely on athleticism, David wins with anticipation and technique. He knows when to punch at the ball and has done so regularly through his decorated career.
Being just who he is and always has been will give him the opportunity to make what may be his last season his best one yet.
Projected 2025 Total Takeaways:
8
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire:
2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers projections: How many takeaways will Lavonte David secure?
