Yaya Diaby has seen the Bucs make a whole overhaul to their protection on the primary and second ranges, particularly throughout the defensive position. It began in free company with the signing of defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem “Nacho” Nunez-Roches together with exterior linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad. Then it continued and within the NFL Draft when the Bucs chosen exterior linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. with the fifteenth general choose, plus including defensive deal with DeMonte Capehart within the fifth spherical so as to add some general depth.
In a span of simply a few months, the Bucs re-shaped an space of their workforce the place they wanted huge enchancment. The Bucs had hassle attending to the quarterback final season, and whereas it’s a workforce effort, it begins up entrance within the trenches.
No person is extra excited concerning the new additions and what they’ll convey to the protection then Diaby, the fourth-year exterior linebacker. Earlier than any of those strikes, Diaby was the perfect exterior linebacker on the Bucs, recording a team-high seven sacks. He needs to enhance, however realizing who else will probably be within the lineup with him comes as a way of reduction that they’ll get to the quarterback as a bunch.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“I’m super excited with the guys we got right now,” Diaby stated. “I’m so happy to have everybody out here in attendance. We’re getting after it. It’s more depth, for real. Bain brings a lot. I was super, super stoked when they got him. I texted Coach [Todd] Bowles immediately, I said ‘Man, great pick.’ And when they got Muhammad, that’s another great addition. A veteran guy, he’s going into year 10 right now so he can also help me and Bain and the other guys in the room.”
Being the highest go rusher, Diaby noticed numerous double workforce blocks and chip blocks. It was greater than he’s seen in his profession. A few of that was as a result of defensive deal with Calijah Kancey was out for almost all of the season, and one other was not getting manufacturing from exterior linebackers on the other aspect of him, as 31-year previous Haason Reddick was a bust.
“It was stressful to begin with, but at the same time you know that’s what comes with it,” he stated. “And now having guys that can help take the load off a little bit and we all can get after it.”
That received’t be the case this season. Even when one participant goes down, there’s far more expertise to assist choose up the go speeding slack. Diaby raised an amazing query throughout his press convention after Tuesday’s OTA apply – and it’s a tricky one to reply.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and NT Vita Vea – Photograph by: USA Right now
“Like I was saying earlier, how can you block Bain, Vita, A’Shawn, me and Calijah? You can’t do it. It’s going to be super exciting.”
Not many Tampa Bay would argue towards it.
Good query introduced up by #Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby earlier than.
He was speaking concerning the stress of taking over extra double groups final 12 months and the way this season different gamers might help get after it:
“How can you block Bain, Vita, A’Shawn, me and Calijah? You can’t do it.” pic.twitter.com/2DEV9viMOj
How Is Yaya Diaby Dealing with His Looming Contract Yr?
It’s additionally an fascinating season for Yaya Diaby because it’s the final 12 months of his rookie contract and he’s additionally stepping right into a management position. It’s the latter that he’s centered on extra first.
“I feel like I’ve earned the respect of the defense,” Diaby stated. “Guys can hear me and know that I have their best interest. That’s all I’m going to do is keep leading and letting my play do the talking.”
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and Texans QB C.J. Stroud – Photograph by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
Relating to the concept of getting a brand new contract elsewhere or re-signing with the Bucs, Diaby does need to stay in Tampa Bay. He stated the numbers and negotiations are the final issues on his thoughts proper now forward of the 2026 season.
“I just want to ball,” Diaby stated. “I want to be a Buc for my whole career. That’s all I can say. But at the same time, that’s the least of my worries. I’m just happy to be out here with the guys playing around, having fun and just getting after it.”
