INTRO: Right now’s SR’s Fab 5 focuses on two issues. First, Bucs outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby, who took to social media to declare that he’s an elite move rusher. However Diaby is aware of he should grow to be an elite sack producer and that’s what he’s engaged on this offseason. I’ve bought the story on how he’s going to do it.
Second, the Bucs want to enhance the depth on their staff with some skilled veterans in free company and might’t depend on unproven rookies in 2025, particularly undrafted free brokers. That observe got here again to chunk the staff, particularly within the secondary and at large receiver, final 12 months. Get pleasure from!
FAB 1. Turning into The Yaya Diaby The Bucs Deserve
Yaya Diaby was damage. He was crushed.
The sting of a 23-20 dwelling loss to the Commanders nearly introduced Diaby to tears within the postgame locker room.
Diaby, who had 3.5 sacks within the Bucs’ final three video games of the 12 months, had a 3rd down sack on the ever-elusive Jayden Daniels negated because of a penalty on Zyon McCollum within the first half. And with the sport tied at 20-20 with slightly below 5 minutes remaining, Diaby and the Bucs protection couldn’t get off the sector and couldn’t cease the Commanders from kicking a game-winning subject objective as time expired.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s not good when they don’t punt,” a downtrodden Diaby informed me after the sport in an a near-whisper. “We’ve just got to finish.”
Diaby watched good good friend and teammate Calijah Kancey practically sort out Daniels for a loss on third down on the ultimate drive, solely to seize Daniels’ towel from round his waist because the cellular rookie quarterback dashed previous him for a primary down. That allowed the Commanders to run off extra clock deep in Bucs territory to win the sport with a subject objective.
“We were getting to him, but he’s a helluva player,” Diaby stated. “We have to find out what we need to do to finish.”
Diaby is strictly proper and that’s precisely what he’s targeted on doing this offseason.
It’s all about ending.
People within the NFL analytics neighborhood have put quarterback pressures on such a pedestal that they’re seen on nearly equal footing as sacks.
However they’re not.
Bucs legend Warren Sapp as soon as informed me that sacks get you drafted excessive, not pressures. Sacks, not pressures, get you to the Professional Bowl. And sacks, not pressures, get defensive linemen paid.
It’s attainable for a defensive lineman to document a QB strain on a throw for a primary down or a landing. In that case, a strain didn’t imply a rattling factor.
And a strain that forces an incompletion on third-and-4 state of affairs from a staff’s personal 41-yard line, would possibly end result within the offense simply going for it on fourth-and-4 from the 41 fairly than punting or making an attempt a 58-yard subject objective.
However a six-yard sack on third-and-4 would lead to a fourth-and-10 from the 47-yard line close to midfield and pressure a punt fairly than a 64-yard subject objective try.
Do you see the distinction?
Bucs assistant GM John Spytek – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Sacks, particularly on third downs, may be drive-killers. Sacks can pressure punts, which sadly, is one thing that Washington by no means did towards Tampa Bay’s protection within the 23-20 win over the Bucs within the Wild Card recreation.
“It’s hard – it’s not what we wanted,” Diaby stated. “The game just wasn’t going our way. We’ve got to be better come next year.”
Diaby confirmed an incredible quantity of progress from his rookie season. He recorded 65 pressures in 2024, which was up from 26 the 12 months prior. Diaby’s 17.4% move rush win fee, which ranked eleventh amongst edge rushers with not less than 200 move rush snaps in keeping with PFF, was greater than double what it was a 12 months in the past as a rookie at simply 7.5%.
His sacks had been down from a team-leading 7.5 in 2023 to only 4.5 final 12 months, and that’s going to be his focus this offseason – ending.
“From year one to year two I feel like I’ve done a lot this year,” Diaby stated. “You recognize this sack quantity won’t say all of it, however general, should you take a look at all the opposite statistics, I’m high 10 in all of them. So I really feel like, for me, I’ve improved lots you understand?
“And I still got more than improving [to do]. That’s what I’m going to look over this offseason and see what I have to do to be Yaya Diaby. That’s what I’m trying to give this team – the Yaya Diaby they deserve.”
Diaby is a person on a mission this offseason.
Subsequent, I’m going to let you know what Diaby’s mission entails.
FAB 2. Yaya Diaby’s Offseason Focus: Extra Sacks
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: USA Right now
A part of the rationale why Yaya Diaby’s sack numbers had been down in 2024 was as a result of offensive coordinators had been keying on him as Tampa Bay’s high edge rusher. He was seeing way more chips from operating backs and tight ends than he did as a rookie. That resulted in additional QB pressures however fewer sacks.
Diaby goes to work on that facet of his recreation this offseason.
“Watching guys like Myles Garrett, who goes through chipping, and how they overcome it,” Diaby stated. “So I’m definitely going to do a lot of film study this offseason and just try to improve on that.”
Diaby nonetheless made an impression with a few of his quarterback pressures. His hand within the face of Kirk Cousins in Tampa Bay’s 36-30 loss at Atlanta in Week 5 resulted in a fourth quarter interception by linebacker Lavonte David. And Diaby’s strain additionally helped create an interception towards Las Vegas in Week 14 when it regarded just like the Raiders had been going to attain.
“Against the Raiders with the Tykee [Smith] interception,” Diaby stated. “I came free and almost got to the quarterback. He threw it off his back foot and – interception. It’s little stuff like that I look at, ‘Damn, I’m just right there,’ but it’s still helping the team out.”
Throughout the season, I requested Diaby if him getting all the QB pressures but arising empty with sacks was attending to him.
Panthers QB Bryce Younger and Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: USA Right now
“Earlier in the year I did let that get to me because I’m like, ‘Dang, I’m kind of doing everything right but it’s just not adding up,’” Diaby stated. “I mean, I still got guys like Calijah [Kancey] and Vita [Vea] making plays off the pressure that I’m getting, so it’s not a total loss. But at the end of the day, like you said, sacks are what get you paid.”
Diaby noticed Kancey degree up from 4 sacks throughout his rookie season to a team-leading 7.5 sacks final 12 months, and seen how Kancey went to the Sack Summit professional soccer move rush camp, which was hosted by Maxx Crosby, Von Miller and Cam Jordan final summer time in Las Vegas. That’s one thing Diaby is seeking to attend this summer time.
And Diaby goes to double his workload this offseason by working with two move rush coaches away from Tampa Bay.
“I feel like this year I’ve grown from last year but I still know I have a little nitpicking [to do],” Diaby stated. “Working with guys, there’s this guy named [Brandon] “BT” Jordan and he’s actually good. He might help you break down tackles and know when to counter and when to do such and such. He was with the Broncos, [helping to] lead them in quarterback pressures. He’s been working with them. He’s in Texas, in order that’s the place I’m positively going to go this offseason.”
Jordan runs Trench Efficiency and some of his Bucs purchasers embody Will Gholston and Logan Corridor, who had a breakout season with 5.5 sacks in 12 months three in Tampa Bay. Jordan additionally helped Denver defensive finish Zach Allen grow to be one of many league’s greatest move rushers.
“There’s another guy in Miami named “Tank” (Aaron Wallace) that I additionally go to, so I’m going to go to these two guys and actually polish myself as a move rusher,” Diaby stated. “I know what I’ve done this year, but I know I can add more to my toolbox.”
Diaby has already proven he can stuff the run, set the sting and strain the quarterback. If can add extra sacks to his stats sheet in 2025, that can lead to extra drives killed by Tampa Bay’s protection and hopefully just a few extra wins for the staff.
And as Diaby is aware of getting into his third season within the NFL, extra sacks can even get you paid extra.
FAB 3. Jason Licht, Todd Bowles Can’t Fall In Love With Potential On Their Roster
I’ve coated the Bucs for 30 years now, and one of many first classes I discovered in regards to the NFL got here early in my profession. Former Bucs participant personnel director Jerry Angelo informed me again within the Nineties that probably the most harmful phrase within the NFL was “potential.”
All through my three many years reporting on this staff, I’ve seen the Bucs draft loads of gamers with potential who by no means panned out, particularly with early-round draft picks. Each basic supervisor I’ve coated in Tampa Bay has made these errors.
Ex-Bucs QB Josh Freeman – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Wealthy McKay drafted the likes of defensive linemen Eric Curry (1993), Regan Upshaw (1996) and Marcus Jones (1996), large receiver Reidel Anthony (1997) and offensive sort out Kenyatta Walker (2001) within the first spherical. None of these gamers sniffed a Professional Bowl nor lived as much as their athletic potential.
Bruce Allen solely drafted one Professional Bowl Buccaneer – guard Davin Joseph (2006) – in his 5 years as basic supervisor from 2004-08, which was terrible. His high picks like large receiver Michael Clayton (2004) and defensive finish Gaines Adams (2007) had been busts, as was second-round receiver Dexter Jackson (2008) – simply to call just a few.
Mark Dominik spent first-round picks on quarterback Josh Freeman (2009), defensive finish Adrian Clayborn (2011) and security Mark Barron. Mediocre gamers at greatest and none acquired a second contract in Tampa Bay. And second-round picks like defensive sort out Brian Value (2010), large receiver Arrelious Benn (2010) and defensive finish Da’Quan Bowers (2011) didn’t hit, both.
Jason Licht has had some dynamite drafts, particularly lately, however he has additionally had some misses as nicely within the first spherical. Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (2016), tight finish O.J. Howard (2017) and out of doors linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (2021) come to thoughts.
And Licht’s second-rounders like tight finish Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2014), defensive finish Noah Spence (2016), kicker Roberto Aguayo (2016), operating again Ronald Jones II (2018) and cornerback M.J. Stewart (2018) additionally by no means lived as much as their draft standing.
But Licht was faster to study the lesson to not cling on to draft errors, and deserves credit score for that. He reduce Aguayo after only one season.
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
And when Tryon-Shoyinka didn’t present indicators of being the alternative for Jason Pierre-Paul after two seasons, Licht spent a third-round choose on his eventual alternative, Yaya Diaby, in 2023. After only a 12 months when defensive sort out Logan Corridor, the staff’s high choose in 2022, didn’t appear like starter materials as a rookie, Licht drafted one other defensive sort out, Calijah Kancey, within the first spherical in 2023 to basically exchange Corridor.
Licht and head coach Todd Bowles want to make use of that very same strategy on the underside of the roster with the Bucs’ backups that they do relating to upgrading the starters on the staff. They will’t fall in love with younger backups who’ve potential.
Guys like cornerbacks Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk, safeties Kaevon Merriweather, Rashad Knowledge and Marcus Banks, outdoors linebackers Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, defensive tackles Mike Greene, C.J. Brewer and Eric Banks. All are replaceable till they present in any other case, and have to be thought of as such.
On offense, it’s gamers like large receivers Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller, Kameron Johnson, Marquez Callaway and Tanner Knue, tight ends like Ko Kieft and Tanner Taula for instance. None of those gamers have proven the flexibility to grow to be starters and none must be sacred cows in 2025. All are replaceable.
Bucs CB Tyrek Funderburk and Falcons WR Darnell Mooney – Photograph by: USA Right now
My good friend and colleague on the Tampa Bay Occasions, Bucs beat author Rick Stroud, is known for saying, “greatness shows up early.”
And he’s proper.
If any of those gamers had been nice and so they had been going to grow to be starters, we might’ve seen it by now in observe, in coaching camp, within the preseason and within the video games they’ve performed in.
Now I’m not saying that any of these gamers must be reduce tomorrow. Generally gamers want a while to develop. Third-string operating again Sean Tucker is a primary instance of that, however even Tucker confirmed flashes of pace and having a gear that no different Tampa Bay runner had throughout his rookie season in 2023.
However for a cornerback place that was extraordinarily weak final 12 months, particularly when starters Bryce Corridor and Jamel Dean had been injured, the Bucs can’t put themselves in that place once more in 2025.
Funderburk had no enterprise being on the sector as an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State. And Hayes, a sixth-round choose in 2023, is a particular groups gunner who has no enterprise beginning at cornerback.
It was the identical at security and large receiver, too. The Bucs barely bought by within the secondary and large receiver in some video games, however misplaced just a few others due to large expertise drop off. That must be mounted this offseason with higher backups and a give attention to constructing the roster from the again find yourself.
FAB 4. Bucs Should Return To The Follow Of Buying Extra Veteran Reserves
Bucs G.M. Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles should give attention to discovering higher backups in 2025 along with extra high quality starters, particularly on protection. I noticed this strategy play out in Tampa Bay through the 2002 season when the franchise received its first Tremendous Bowl.
The Bucs staff that misplaced within the Wild Card spherical of the playoffs in Philadelphia in 2001, 31-9, had defensive sort out Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks, cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly, security John Lynch, defensive finish Simeon Rice, fullback Mike Alstott, quarterback Brad Johnson and large receiver Keyshawn Johnson. That’s loads of star energy, proper?
Former Bucs LB Shelton Quarles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
However the Bucs’ roster in 2001 was stuffed with “A” gamers and likewise stuffed with “C” gamers. And groups just like the Eagles picked on – and exploited – these “C” gamers all day.
So when Jon Gruden got here to city in 2002, he demanded that basic supervisor Wealthy McKay improve the roster. Gruden recognized that the Bucs wanted to exchange numerous “C” gamers with “B” gamers and so they hit free company exhausting that offseason.
Huge receivers Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Inexperienced, former first- and second-round picks by McKay, had been changed by Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius. Tight ends Dave Moore and Todd Yoder had been changed within the beginning lineup by Ken Dilger and Rickey Dudley. All had been free agent upgrades.
Left guard Randall McDaniel, a fading future Corridor of Famer who was 36, was changed by robust man Kerry Jenkins in free company. Newly signed veteran left sort out Roman Oben changed Kenyatta Walker who was moved to proper sort out to exchange Jerry Wunsch.
Defensive finish Marcus Jones, a former first-rounder by McKay, was changed by free agent Greg Spires to play reverse Rice. Jamie Duncan was changed at center linebacker by Shelton Quarles, who had a Professional Bowl season in 2002 after transferring over from strongside linebacker.
In consequence, the Bucs went from being 9-7 to 12-4 and received Tremendous Bowl XXXVII in 2002. None of these new starters had been signed to large offers, both. Oben and McCardell price probably the most, however neither broke the financial institution.
Former Bucs WR Antonio Brown – Photograph by: USA Right now
Licht has operated on this method earlier than. Throughout the Tremendous Bowl season in 2020, he bolstered the depth by including confirmed veterans even after free company was over with the likes of large receiver Antonio Brown, operating again Leonard Fournette, and middle A.Q. Shipley and buying and selling for defensive sort out Steve McLendon.
The Bucs’ depth wants to incorporate extra of a lot of these gamers in 2025 fairly than rely upon gamers like Tyrek Funderburk, Josh Hayes, Kaevon Merriweather, Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett, Mike Greene and different “C” caliber gamers.
For roster administration and wage cap functions, it’s vital to have some younger gamers taking part in on low-cost, rookie offers. However Licht must be savvy in free company and discover extra skilled and extra gifted backups who might help bolster the roster.
Followers are going to need the Bucs to make large, splash free agent signings within the 2025 offseason. Guys like Philadelphia’s All-Professional linebacker Zack Baun, proper? Properly, Baun was signed to a one-year, prove-it deal value $3.5 million final 12 months with the Eagles. He’ll price triple that in free company this offseason, however Licht must be looking out for the subsequent Baun-type participant this March.
And veteran linebacker Oren Burks, who stuffed in down the stretch for the Eagles and helped win Tremendous Bowl LIX when starter Nakobe Dean was out, was signed to a one-year deal value $1.125 million. Even cheaper than Baun. He wasn’t as dynamic of a playmaker, however Burks had a significantly better 12 months than both Okay.J. Britt or J.J. Russell did in Tampa Bay. The Bucs want to seek out the subsequent Burks-type participant.
These are the type of gamers – and offers – the Bucs will want this offseason to not solely discover just a few starters but additionally purchase higher high quality depth. There isn’t any purpose Tampa Bay must be taking part in any undrafted free brokers at any place on offense or protection this season – even because of harm.
FAB 5. Bucs Free Company + Draft Protection In Full Swing At Pewter Report
Pewter Report’s 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft 2.0 was simply launched on Thursday afternoon adopted by an hour-and-a-half Pewter Report Mock Draft Present on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux on Thursday night time, hosted by yours really and Josh Queipo. We mentioned making the commerce for Cincinnati Professional Bowl defensive finish Trey Hendrickson and the thought course of that went behind it, in addition to analyzing all the different picks in Pewter Report’s second mock draft of the season and answering questions from followers.
Our subsequent 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft comes out in a few month following the beginning of NFL free company, which begins with the negotiating interval on March 10 and formally opens on March 12.
Talking of free company, Pewter Report will check out the massive positions of want on protection all subsequent week on the Pewter Report Podcasts, which go stay at 4:00 p.m. ET Monday – Thursday within the offseason. All 4 reveals subsequent week will likely be devoted to free company, as the subsequent week the Pewter Report workers will likely be in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Mix, the place our consideration and focus will flip to the 2025 NFL Draft for that week.
Right here is the schedule for subsequent week’s Pewter Report Podcast episodes:
Monday, February 17 – Bucs Free Agent Choices: SafetiesTuesday, February 18 – Bucs Free Agent Choices: CornerbacksWednesday, February 19 – Bucs Free Agent Choices: LinebackersThursday, February 20 – Bucs Free Agent Choices: Edge Rushers
