Yaya Diaby Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
Yaya Diaby was recognized for his stellar play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Diaby was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 18, marking the first career Player of the Week honor for Diaby and the first for a Bucs edge rusher since Shaquil Barrett earned the award in Week Three of the 2020 campaign.
In Tampa Bay's division-clinching victory over the Saints, Diaby tallied five tackles (four for loss), 1.0 sack and four quarterback hits. He is 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 Two), Trey Hendrickson (Week Nine) and Nick Bosa (Week 17). Diaby's four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits each were the second-most across the NFL in Week 18, and the most among all NFC players.
Through his first two NFL seasons, Diaby has amassed 92 tackles (64 solo), 28 quarterback hits, 25 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He became the sixth player since 2017 to record 12.0-plus sacks, 25-plus quarterback hits and 25-plus tackles for loss across their first 34 career games played, joining Nick Bosa, Bradley Chubb, Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons.
Diaby has contributed to a Tampa Bay defense that has been among the league's best since the team returned from the Week 11 Bye. From Weeks 12-18, the Buccaneers led the NFL in rush defense (58.7 opponent rush yards per game) and ranked second in total defense (273.9 opponent yards per game), second in fewest points allowed per game (17.0) and second in fewest yards allowed per play (4.8). Diaby harnesses his power into a repertoire of moves and wins with short-area quickness and a strong punch to generate separation at the point of attack. He elevates Todd Bowles' twists/stunts and has elevated the line play in 2024.
Tristan Wirfs Voted by Players to NFLPA All-Pro Team
Buccaneers stalwart offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs was voted by his peers to the NFLPA All-Pro team for his contributions on the gridiron manning Tampa Bay's left tackle spot. In 2024, Wirfs allowed just one quarterback hit and zero sacks across 638 pass blocking snaps per Pro Football Focus. Across 599 pass-blocking snaps according to Next Gen metrics, Wirfs limited opponents to just 28 quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks. He anchors the Bucs' offensive line and is an explosive drive blocker. The technician possesses lateral movement skills, a timely punch and makes pulls look effortless. Wirfs sets the tone in the trenches for Tampa Bay and has helped guide the Bucs' offense to new heights in 2024.
