In soccer, a slant route is constructed on timing and precision. The receiver doesn’t waste movement – he breaks sharply throughout the sphere into open area earlier than the protection can react. It’s easy in design, however separation is created via execution.
That very same method defines my weekly Saturday Bucs column, Slivon’s Slant.
Every week from now till coaching camp, I’ll have a look inside a unique Bucs place group. The aim is to chop via the floor to search out the clearest path in evaluating this roster because it takes form. Then, as soon as the season begins, the column will proceed providing completely different angles for breaking down and discussing the staff. Thus far, I’ve provided in-depth profiles of the quarterback, working again, vast receiver, tight finish, offensive line, and defensive position positions.
With these positions coated, it’s time to study the skin linebackers.
Inside The Bucs Exterior Linebacker Room
Arc-Dashing Alien: Yaya Diaby
Whereas Rueben Bain Jr.’s arrival has shifted a number of the highlight away from Yaya Diaby, that would in the end profit each gamers. In flip, that ought to result in essentially the most full model of Diaby but. For the place he was drafted, the 2023 third-round decide has proved to be a worthwhile funding. Throughout his first three seasons, he has put collectively a stable stat line of 142 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks.
“Sub-Zero” is aware of the best way to get after the quarterback, recording 65 quarterback pressures in 2024 and 62 in 2025. These numbers tied for ninth-most and Fifteenth-most within the league, respectively. The following step for him is changing these possibilities into outcomes and changing into a double-digit sack artist.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Diaby depends on energy to overwhelm offensive tackles, however he didn’t enter the league as essentially the most technically refined cross rusher. That has been a piece in progress, however his strongest assault is using his 4.51 velocity and bull-rush capabilities to catapult into the backfield. Having simply turned 27 years previous, this season will decide his trajectory, and in the end, his second contract.
Even second-tier edge rushers are starting to command greater than $20 million yearly. That could be a vital sum Tampa Bay must take into account paying him. Whereas what comes of his subsequent contract stays to be seen, Diaby won’t have to hold the load in terms of the skin cross rush.
Hurricane Hitman: Rueben Bain Jr.
Rueben Bain Jr. has been the speak of the city for the reason that Bucs had been in a position to land him with the Fifteenth general decide. The instant response was that Tampa Bay landed one of many greatest draft steals in Bain, somebody many evaluators considered as a top-10 expertise. Now, it’s time to show the Bucs proper and everybody else unsuitable. That message was well-received on the 2026 NFL Draft, when he snatched the hat off the desk and was all enterprise. Bringing a chip on his shoulder will serve the skin cross rush properly, particularly as a result of his expertise is apparent at any time when he’s on the sphere.
Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The largest knock on Bain throughout the pre-draft course of was his arm size, one thing he can’t management however makes essentially the most of. Whereas constructed somewhat bit sawed-off, take one take a look at him, and people issues shortly evaporate. At 6-foot-2, 270 kilos, he’s a stout presence coming off the sting, with one of the best facet of his body being an explosive decrease half which permits him to go off the road with energy and violence, sustaining acceleration across the arc. As quickly as he’s away from his matchup, quarterbacks must brace for “Hurricane Bain.”
It was at Miami the place he fashioned a deadly pass-rushing duo with Akheem Mesidor. Throughout his closing season at “The U,” Bain recorded 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. He has the power to be a disruptive drive, and at simply 21 years previous, Bain has the expertise and alternative to develop into the centerpiece of the cross rush for years to return.
Savvy Sack Surgeon: Al-Quadin Muhammad
Al-Quadin Muhammad has had fairly a journey to get to the place he’s with the Bucs. In just some seasons, Muhammad has gone from being out of the league in 2023 to notching 11 sacks for the Lions in 2025. Now 31 years previous, he has gone via his share of highs and lows. Tampa Bay is betting on him to place collectively one other productive season in the same position as a situational pass-rusher. Don’t get it confused, although, he can take over video games even on a extra restricted snap rely. 7.5 of his 11 sacks got here in simply three video games, capped off by a three-sack day enjoying simply 46.3% of Detroit’s defensive snaps.
Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
One may solely see him because the beneficiary of enjoying subsequent to Aidan Hutchinson. That may assist any cross rusher, however as Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo just lately highlighted, his skill to pursue and take down the quarterback shouldn’t be discounted. Paired subsequent to one in all Diaby or Bain will enable him to wash up the chaos they create.
From the leap, he would be the third outdoors linebacker within the room and function a top quality depth piece. It’s not daring to imagine him surpassing Haason Reddick’s minimal contributions, however it’s an excessive amount of to imagine he can be a double-digit sacker. As an alternative, my slant in predicting what he brings is someplace between 5 to seven sacks.
Undersized Underdog: David Walker
The hype prepare surrounding David Walker has been actual since he was drafted within the fourth spherical final season, however that prepare was derailed. After showcasing encouraging indicators throughout rookie mini-camp and OTAs – indicators I noticed firsthand – a torn ACL prematurely ended his rookie season. Whereas members of an NFL staff’s entrance workplace will all the time promote their very own gamers, Walker actually appeared like somebody destined to exceed expectations. It was an unlucky flip of occasions that it didn’t come to fruition in 2025 when he had the platform, however Walker has an opportunity to earn substantial playtime and take advantage of it.
Bucs OLB David Walker – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Southern Arkansas and Central Arkansas product is somewhat bit undersized height-wise in comparison with the opposite outdoors linebackers within the room. That may be considered as a detrimental for many, however as a substitute, it elicited comparisons to James Harrison and Dwight Freeney. It’s unfair to anticipate him to carry out at that degree, however Walker has a sophisticated pass-rushing repertoire. That allowed him to tally 39 sacks throughout 4 collegiate seasons, and it was seen as a shrewd transfer for Tampa Bay to land him on Day 3 of the draft. So, given all of the promise, what can Walker herald 2026?
In a world the place Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain play 70% of the defensive snaps and Muhammad receives 40%, that leaves him the prospect to earn 25-30% of the weekly snap rely. Primarily based on what he does greatest, Walker could be introduced in on passing downs to get after the quarterback. He is ready to generate sufficient leverage to carry up in opposition to the run and develop into greater than a distinct segment participant.
At 26 years previous, he has to showcase that he’s NFL-ready from the second he hits the sphere to carve out a extra long-term path. He’s somebody my eyes can be on usually throughout subsequent month’s coaching camp and into the preseason.
Regular-Snap Specialist: Anthony Nelson
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles says it greatest about Anthony Nelson at any time when he talks about him to the media – he’s a “steady Eddie.” Drafted as a fourth-round decide in 2019, Nelson has made a profitable residing within the league as a fourth or fifth cross rusher who will get the occasional spot begin. He has performed sufficient in that position to offer Bowles a reliable possibility when the staff’s depth has been examined. Over the previous 5 seasons, “Nelly” has recorded three or extra sacks yearly. As the favored on-line meme says, “it ain’t much, but it’s honest work.”
Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson and ILB SirVocea Dennis and Saints QB Spencer Rattler – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos
Nelson is an imposing determine at 6-foot-7. That enables him to carry the sting and use his size to create mismatches and openings to make performs. That was on show essentially the most in Week 8 in opposition to the Saints, when he recorded two sacks and a pick-six. Getting into his eighth season, his match inside the room is on much less sure floor. Age shouldn’t be on his facet in comparison with the opposite cross rushers vying for enjoying time. He suits as a fifth outdoors linebacker, however he’s a stable possibility. Bowles will discover methods to get him on the sphere, even whether it is on a extra sporadic foundation.
Fading Future: Chris Braswell
Chris Braswell was speculated to be the reply to the Bucs downside on the outdoors linebacker place. Because the staff’s second-round decide in 2024, Braswell had each probability to stake his declare as a starter, given Shaq Barrett’s departure and Randy Gregory by no means suiting up for the staff. Not solely did he disappoint as a rookie, however his development has stagnated to the purpose the place his future in Tampa Bay is shortly fading.
At 24 years previous, he has time to show his profession round if given extra enjoying time. But, it appears extremely unlikely to occur in pink and pewter.
Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Throughout 34 video games, Braswell has an underwhelming profession stat line of 48 tackles and a pair of.5 sacks. As soon as seen as a bodily cross rusher off the sting, his position declined in 2025 regardless of the staff’s pressing want for assist on the place. Even with this being mentioned, he nonetheless has a technique to make an influence.
His possibilities of making progress on protection are slim to none barring harm, however he does deserve credit score for flashing on particular groups final season. That won’t enable Braswell to beat the notion of being a bust, nonetheless; it’s his greatest technique to have profession longevity. If he earns the belief of Danny Smith on the unit, one may hear Braswell’s identify in another way on sport day.
Closing Slant
The Bucs outdoors linebacker room has seen a major overhaul in contrast thus far final 12 months – and for the higher. Tampa Bay has struggled to solidify the room ever since Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett’s greatest days had been behind them following the 2021 season. What speaks to the battle at figuring out cross rushers is the staff electing to re-sign Barrett and Pierre-Paul late within the season in 2024 and 2025, properly previous their prime. There isn’t any want for the group to reek of desperation anymore, not with the duo of Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. main the way in which.
In a best-case state of affairs, the highest two cross rushers are a potent duo for years to return, with Diaby incomes a contract extension and Bain being all the things that the fanbase is hoping for. Behind them is a top quality second wave of expertise, with Al-Quadin Muhammad able to getting sacks in bunches. David Walker is extra of an unknown commodity, however he drew rave opinions earlier than his ACL harm. Anthony Nelson is about one of the best fifth outdoors linebacker a staff might ask for. Proper now, Chris Braswell appears to be like far nearer to bust standing than breakout candidate, however even he can deliver worth if he develops right into a core particular teamer.
The largest query is whether or not the Bucs have merely improved the place or reworked it. Diaby has already confirmed he can create strain, Bain arrives with Professional Bowl-level expectations, and Muhammad provides the room a veteran finisher. If all three meet expectations, Tampa Bay might area its deepest edge-rushing rotation for the reason that staff’s Tremendous Bowl period.
Total, my slant on this room is that it will likely be essentially the most vital group to unlock Todd Bowles’ protection. Ought to they get dwelling and work hand-in-hand with the defensive position, the cross rush can be considerably improved. If that occurs, that’s when Bowles’ defensive play-calling is at its greatest, and the whole unit can be higher for it.
