​Being labeled a “bust” stands as one of the harshest criticisms an NFL player can endure. Traditionally, a bust is used to describe a high draft pick who fails to live up to expectations. Yet Moe Moton of Bleacher Report points out that a bust can also refer to an expensive free agent who doesn’t deliver, or even a veteran whose career hinges on producing when it matters most. Looking ahead to 2026, every team is bound to have a player who fits one of these categories, and Moton identifies each squad’s potential biggest bust for the season.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Moton selects linebacker SirVocea Dennis as the player to watch. Dennis enters a decisive training camp and a pivotal season to prove he should keep his place on the roster. He earned a full-time starting role for the first time in 2025, delivering a mixed bag of results. He posted a seemingly solid stat line with 101 tackles, three sacks, and an interception, but his coverage was notably inconsistent.
Tampa Bay’s defense disappointed as a unit last season, prompting a series of offseason moves intended to strengthen it. With a influx of new talent, Moton believes Dennis could lose his starting job. A lackluster showing in training camp could push him into a precarious roster spot, as the team weighs its options in a numbers-driven competition.
The Buccaneers pushed to upgrade their linebacker corps, bringing in Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, and selecting Josiah Trotter in the second round. Anzalone has started 93 games over nine seasons, while Rozeboom started 26 games over the past two years. Trotter arrives in Tampa Bay with high potential, having tallied 176 tackles (17 for loss), 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and an interception over his last two collegiate seasons. With these additions, Dennis could find himself fighting for a starting inside linebacker role before Week 1.
In 2025, Dennis showed promise as a first-time full-time starter, recording 101 tackles (10 for loss), three sacks, five pass breakups, and an interception, yet he allowed a 122.0 passer rating when targeted in coverage. Anzalone has long been a reliable, above-average pass defender, Rozeboom offers quality play as well, and both could edge Dennis out of a three-down role until Trotter is ready to seize a starting opportunity. The Buccaneers also drafted Rueben Bain Jr., viewed as a cornerstone for Tampa Bay’s future, and they will welcome back last year’s fourth-round pick, David Walker, who is healthy after missing his rookie season due to a knee injury. The addition of Al-Quadin Muhammad, formerly of the Detroit Lions and now a Buccaneer, further amplifies the team’s edge-rushing and linebacker depth.
All of a sudden, Tampa Bay finds itself with a wealth of edge rushers and linebackers, which could spell trouble for Dennis’s job security. If he wants to preserve his future with the team, he will need to elevate his game and prove he can contribute consistently across all three downs. The pressure is on Dennis to deliver a standout camp and regular season performance; otherwise, the numbers game could push him out of the starting lineup sooner rather than later.