Position Group: Outside Linebackers
Players: Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chris Braswell, Shaquil Barrett, Jose Ramirez, Markees Watts, Daniel Grzesiak (Reserve/Future),
2024 Evaluation: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated the most unblocked pressures (64) and the 4th-quickest average time to pressure (2.59 seconds) in the NFL in 2024. Todd Bowles utilizes a collective approach in various exotic looks to create advantageous matchups along the line of scrimmage and the Bucs' defense finished the regular season having recorded the 2nd-highest blitz rate (38.9%) and 8th-highest pressure rate (35.8%). Tampa Bay generated pressure on 45.2% of their pass rushes in the second halves of games after their Week 11 bye, the second-highest rate in the NFL, and the team went 6-1 over that span. Edge rusher Yaya Diaby led the unit in pressures with 57 and Anthony Nelson generated 34 pressures, while Joe Tryon-Shoyinka produced 25.
Yaya Diaby led the way with 785 defensive snaps and the second-year player generated 13 run stuffs (loss or no gain) in 2024 and was just one of eight edge rushers to record 50-plus pressures and 10-plus run stuffs (Myles Garrett, Jared Verse, Jonathan Greenard, Brian Burns, Greg Rousseau, Will Anderson, Maxx Crosby). Although his sack tally may not have been flashy, he made a significant impact and improved from 26 pressures and nine run stuffs during his rookie campaign. Diaby harnessed his power and was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week for Week 18. In Tampa Bay's division-clinching win over the New Orleans Saints, Diaby tallied five tackles (four for loss), 1.0 sack and four quarterback hits. He became one of four players in 2024 with four-or-more tackles for loss and four-plus quarterback hits in a single game, joining Aidan Hutchinson (Week 2), Trey Hendrickson (Week 9) and Nick Bosa (Week 17). Diaby elevated Bowles' twists/stunts with his short-area burst and his lethal punch allows him to create separation at the point of attack.
Nelson, the starter opposite Diaby in the second half of the season, played the next-highest number of snaps at 573. Nelson was thrust into a larger role while Tryon-Shoyinka missed time due to an ankle injury and Nelson made one of the most pivotal plays of the season for the Buccaneers in their hunt for the NFC South crown. He forced a fumble to secure the Bucs' overtime win in Week 13 over the Carolina Panthers. After a rare missed 55-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin, the Panthers took over at the 45-yard line and Nelson punctuated the game with a stellar play. He tackled Chuba Hubbard and forced a fumble in the process. Diaby recovered the football at Tampa Bay's 29, putting Baker Mayfield and company right back on the field. Nelson, touted by the team's coaching staff as 'Steady Eddie,' is a consistent force for the Bucs. The upfield rusher is quick out of his stance and utilizes his length to his advantage.
Tryon-Shoyinka played 539 snaps and rookie Chris Braswell contributed 329 in a rotational role. Tryon-Shoyinka suffered an ankle sprain in Week 12 against the Giants and missed a couple of contests. Upon his return, Tryon-Shoyinka split time with Nelson. The Washington product pairs elite athleticism with smooth transition inside his rushes. Tryon-Shoyinka has solid burst to the quarterback and is effective as a lateral mover down the line. Braswell, the Bucs' 57th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama, showed flashes of his potential. He had a breakout year in 2023 for the Crimson Tide after playing behind Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner. Braswell possesses quickness out of his stance as a direct rusher and attacks the edge. He has impressive acceleration off the line and a proficient speed-to-power conversion – a trait the Bucs' brass covets. In his first stint with the Buccaneers, Shaquil Barrett was as good as it gets at using a variety of moves off his power, similar to what Diaby has done, and Braswell became the latest installation and weapon for Bowles in 2024.
2025 Outlook: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a member of the Bucs' 2021 draft class, is an impending free agent. The Bucs did not pick up the fifth-year option on the former first-round draft pick and both Anthony Nelson and Shaquil Barrett are unrestricted free agents as well. In 2023, Nelson signed a two-year contract extension after his rookie contract expired. He has been a valuable contributor throughout his tenure with the Bucs and the team's brass will have several decisions to make at outside linebacker. Barrett, who re-signed with the Bucs in December, cleared waivers after being released by the Dolphins. He set the Bucs' single-season sack record in 2019 and was later released last March in a cap-compliant move.
