Fansided

Projecting the NFL’s statistical leaders for 2014

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tackles

David is one of the NFL’s most underrated players and is a legit candidate to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award under head coach Lovie Smith’s watch.

The former Nebraska linebacker finished tied for fifth in the league last year with Novorro Bowman with 145 combined tackles while also adding seven sacks, five interceptions, 10 pass deflections and two forced fumbles. He was everywhere for the Buccaneers last year.

David is going to be a tackling machine and all over the field in this system that saw Brian Urlacher produce some of his finest seasons en route to a career that should place him in the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

What boosts David’s chances of leading the league in tackles is not only his sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability, but the fact that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is in front of him and letting him roam free without offensive guards and centers hanging on his jersey.

Paul Posluszny, Vontaze Burfict and reigning DPOY Luke Kuechly will make it a close race, but I’m going with David in the new system to explode onto the national NFL radar.

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