Desperation In The Edge Rusher Market
March 17th, 2024
“Look, Glazer, I’m not flushing your darn money down the toilet if I don’t have to.”
Because the Bucs are so in need of edge rush help, Joe has spent a lot of time studying edge rushers.
For example, Joe looks at just-broke-the-bank, part-time edge rusher Bryce Huff and doesn’t see a player better than YaYa Diaby, the Bucs’ top edge rusher. Huff had 10 sacks with the Jets last season after 8 1/2 sacks total in his previous three seasons. Is that what’s worth about $16 million per season from the Eagles? Apparently so.
Huff is expected to start for the Eagles in 2024. He has seven career starts and isn’t the athlete Diaby is.
Carolina traded beastly Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns to the Giants. Joe is grateful he’s out of the division. So how did the Panthers try to replace Burns? They signed Jaguars 2020 first-round bust K’Lavone Chaisson to a one-year deal hoping he can snap out of it, and they threw a two-year $12.5 million contract at former Vikings edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
Wonnum is a legit talent who is coming off quad surgery in December. But after starting in 2021, he returned to the bench before coming back to the starting lineup last season. He’s got 20 sacks total through the past three seasons.
Carolina also is among the teams flirting with Jadeveon Clowney (9 1/2 sacks for the Ravens last season), a guy that doesn’t seem to interest the Bucs.
The almost mighty Lions had no edge rush after Aiden Hutchinson last season. Their No. 2 sacker was defensive tackle Alim McNeill with only five sacks as an inside rusher.
So what have the Lions done to improve? They ran out and handed broken down Marcus Davenport a nice one-year contract worth up to $10 million. The dude has 2 1/2 sacks over the past two years. That’s literally half the amount of surgeries he’s had in the same time frame.
The Joe typing here is glad Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has stayed patient. Yeah, it would have been great to score an elite and crazy expensive edge rusher, but it also would have been miserable to overpay for a wannabe.
Still out there is Eagles edge beast Haason Reddick, a true durable, consistent and legitimate top-12 pass rusher. Allegedly, he’s on the trade block.
As recently as Friday, longtime Eagles beat writer/reporter and current ESPN radio voice Adam Caplan, was talking about how Reddick indeed is still on the market and how the Eagles would not be serious about winning if they traded Reddick.
While Joe trusts Licht’s personnel acumen more than Caplan’s, Joe still hopes Licht was listening closely.
For those wondering, Licht has a long personal and professional history with Eagles GM Howie Roseman. Joe believes it’s possible that Roseman views the Bucs as so damn good that he won’t trade Reddick to Tampa Bay.
March 17th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Patience is what’s gotten Licht amd company into this situation. No one was waiting around for Tampa to make up their mind, but they sure acted like they were.
March 17th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Lol…. Why am I thinking of the General Patton slapping scene 😂😂😂😂
March 17th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
I looked up when we traded for JPP, took place on March 22nd. There’s still hope 🙏🏻
March 17th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
There “is” help out there.
You just have to go to the meetings.
“Hi, my name’s Joe and I fetishize pass rushers.”
The Group: “Hi Joe!”
March 17th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
I can’t wait to see what else Licht has in store for us.
March 17th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Still have the draft and then high payed veterans who will be cut if they have their replacement drafted.
March 17th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
It has been quite obvious that the Bucs priorities (licht & Bowles) are not aligned with Joe’s on the pass rush issue…….not disagreeing with Joe….
but not in any panic mode or obsessive disorder mode……
Patience….trust…..cool your jets…..relax…..take a big $hit….
March 17th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Give your worries to Jason, Joes. Look at what he is doing. He is systematically, methodically transforming the Bucs into a team that competes regardless of cap woes, or who the head coach is. It’s too bad we can’t see who Jason would replace Bowels with if he had the chance.
March 17th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Maybe they feel our first round pick can generate pressure and pair with Darby for a long time.
March 17th, 2024 at 1:14 pm
“Take a big sh!t.” LOL
March 17th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Todd Says:
March 17th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
There “is” help out there.
You just have to go to the meetings.
“Hi, my name’s Joe and I fetishize pass rushers.”
The Group: “Hi Joe!”
^^^^^^^LOL^^^^^^
March 17th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
I think you’re overstating the “desperation” of nabbing an edge rusher Joe. Yea – it’s important for the secondary to have a couple of sack artist in front of them. The Bucs have a few guys that are either solid or have potential. Watts comes to mind. The draft is coming up and the season is still months away. In JL we trust.
March 17th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
#1 draft pick is gonna be edge help. Edgerrin Cooper might be in the sights
March 17th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Scanning through SporTrac for OLBs and it is slim pickings left available –
– Randy Gregory
– Bud Dupree
– Markus Golden
– David Mayo
– Anthony Barr
– Bruce Irvin (33 yrs old)
Players listed as DEs
– Chase Young
– Yannick Ngakoue
– J. Clowney
– Shaq Lawson
– Justin Houston (35 yrs old)
Chase Young on a cheap one year (prove-it) deal with incentives may be the best option still available…
March 17th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
What about Cam Gill? Is he any good? Why is he still on our roster?
March 17th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Darius Robinson from Mizzou is an absolute beast.. he was at the senior bown and Litch loves senior bowl players.. yall look that guy up.. he’s an absolute game wrecker
March 17th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
SB~LV Says:
Still have the draft and then high paid veterans who will be cut if they have their replacement drafted.
^^^^^^
This! Not concerned at all.
March 17th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Walt football has verse going to bucs. Im no draft guru but surprised they have him available would be great pick up
March 17th, 2024 at 2:18 pm
Cam Gill must suck against the run but in his limited snaps on pass plays, he always seems to be around the QB. I like him.
March 17th, 2024 at 2:39 pm
Dave Pear Says:
Cam Gill must suck against the run but in his limited snaps on pass plays, he always seems to be around the QB. I like him.
—
and thas probably what we need to look at and stats in regard to beating defenders and hurrying the Qb . Sack totals are hit and miss in today ‘s NFl. QBs are savvy to know to get rid of the ball. Plus a lot if not most sacks are assisted by pressure from another team mate. Can’t just look at sack totals if you want to find a diamond in the rough.
March 17th, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Coverage sacks have been missing from the Bucs game.. just saying
The unsaid parts of highlight sack dancing
March 17th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Im on Joes side on this one.
It is such a priority, you dont trust it to rookies or 1st year players.
At this point, its probably gonna require a trade to get the player we need.
Thats why you cant draft flops with your top pick, 2 years in a row.
JTS and Logan Hall cost us so much.
Not only our top pick each year, but now the resources it will take to get the player they SHOULD have become.
We dont have a pass rusher. We have to get 2, and hope the guys we have develop also.
March 17th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
You don’t need edge rushers if you’re just going to play a super soft zone where you’re only rushing 3 and have 8 guys standing around in coverage.
It’s going to be brilliant – no one will it coming – well, except for me of course. From most aggressive to most passive! This is why Todd gets paid the big BUCS!
March 17th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
I believe if Latu or Chop Robinson is there when we pick, we get one of them. Latu does have injury concerns. But Chop has a Violent 1st step and shows beastly qualities. Bucs might feel its best to go with a rook they can train who has 1st yr energy. We shall see.
March 17th, 2024 at 2:56 pm
@ Mike
Chop Robinson’s production at Penn State
– 2021 – 2 – sacks
– 2022 – 0 – sacks
– 2023 – 4 – sacks
Could be another JTS. A very athletic one trick pony.
Or as our President would say – a one you know the thing – dog faced pony soldier
March 17th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
1st round edge rusher bust at a rate of about 50%, and that number includes all your top 10 guys who are much sure things. Late 1st rounders are more like a 70% bust rate I think.
Much better off to pick something where Licht excels, like an offensive lineman, or perhaps WR where Godwin is in the last year of his deal and you have zero depth. Just drafting another Hall (who isn’t bad, but isn’t an impact player) or JTS isn’t going to help you – and even if they did, it probably won’t be for a couple of years.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Marine, I was concerned about those stats too. But they do favorably resemble Danielle Hunter’s stats coming out of LSU. Granted he was a third round pick, but still. As mentioned above, I would prefer Robinson in the first round.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
I think Logan Hall has gotten better and will be good. JTS is another story. Nelson is a good role player. Diaby can be that #1 guy. But we need 2 of those. This is going to be interesting. Will almost certainly have to trade up to land Turner, Verse, Robinson, or Latu. Isaac could be another Rd 3 gem, but we need a sure thing coming off the Edge opposite Yaya. JL is going to have to trade up or trade for one most likely
March 17th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 17th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
You don’t need edge rushers if you’re just going to play a super soft zone where you’re only rushing 3 and have 8 guys standing around in coverage.
It’s going to be brilliant – no one will it coming – well, except for me of course. From most aggressive to most passive! This is why Todd gets paid the big BUCS!
^^^^^^^^^
Please, please, please Bucs: Sign the DEFENSIVE GURU known as Rod Munch! He’s forgotten more than Todd Bowles knows! How do I know that Thee Rod Muncher knows EVERYTHING? Just ask him, he’ll tell you…We’ll, the 5-12 prediction wasn’t the greatest, but other than that, he’s knows EVERYTHING!
March 17th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
March 17th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Im on Joes side on this one.
It is such a priority, you dont trust it to rookies or 1st year players.
__________
Except when rookies turn out to be great.
Then you look like a stud GM who did his homework.
Rookie wreckers do exist.
Maybe we can find one.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:25 pm
I hope this subject doesn’t continue to be hammered every day. There are numerous reasons why they haven’t gone out and blown a bunch of money on a new pass rusher. Expected ROI was likely a consideration, in addition to prioritizing big money for in-house guys who deserve it. Be patient, grasshoppers. JL and his front office have a plan, and it will be revealed to you between now and July.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
For the guys that wanted Fields instead of Baker? The Steelers just got him for a 6th in 2025, moving up to a 4th if he plays over half the games. The Steelers got it right.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
I still don’t get it. All these worries about an medge rusher. As I’ve said before I am pretty darn sure Licht and Bowles have a plan. You tell me the Bucs done all this maneuvering to sign its free agents and bring in a few others and they are just gonna forget about edge rusher come on man. Rod Munch I agree with several of your comments
March 17th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
An underrated part of the pass rush is the push you get up the middle. Vita Vea is great at it, but whomever’s been next to him… not so much. A LOT of Edge/OLB sacks are because the QB got pushed off his spot and out of the pocket, and into the DE’s waiting arms. Look at when/where Baker got sacked last year… mostly it was cause Hainsey was on roller skates, Baker got pushed out of his pocket, and into a waiting DE.
So, maybe JTS/Gill/Watts/Ramirez isn’t the problem? Maybe it’s Hall, etc.
Just sayin’
March 17th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Rod Munch: Do you really think the Bucs just “play a super soft zone where you’re only rushing 3 and have 8 guys standing around in coverage.”? Do you think they’d allow less than 20 points per game if that’s all they do?
March 17th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
@ Steve007
No doubt Robinson’s athletic ability is in the upper tier but I always like to see more legit production from a first round pick.
The comparison to Hunter is fair though.
Chop ran a 4.4 – 40 at the combine and he scored an unofficial 9.53 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 78 out of 1637 DE from 1987 to 2024.
Those are pretty amazing combine numbers…
If he turns out to be our pick at #26 I would probably be fine with it. If he had more production at PS he would be a top 10 pick.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Dub City don’t tell anyone but I definitely could see Robinson in our future. I’m thinking trade back a bit and take him.
March 17th, 2024 at 3:59 pm
Bucs are going to have two first round picks or two second round picks this year.
March 17th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
We’ll, the 5-12 prediction wasn’t the greatest, but other than that, he’s knows EVERYTHING!
–
🙂 Just waiting for the league to catch up to one of his greatest hits –
Rod: in 2023 running backs are useless in the NFL because you can run the ball in the air.
March 17th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
March 17th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 17th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
You don’t need edge rushers if you’re just going to play a super soft zone where you’re only rushing 3 and have 8 guys standing around in coverage.
It’s going to be brilliant – no one will it coming – well, except for me of course. From most aggressive to most passive! This is why Todd gets paid the big BUCS!
^^^^^^^^^
Please, please, please Bucs: Sign the DEFENSIVE GURU known as Rod Munch! He’s forgotten more than Todd Bowles knows! How do I know that Thee Rod Muncher knows EVERYTHING? Just ask him, he’ll tell you…We’ll, the 5-12 prediction wasn’t the greatest, but other than that, he’s knows EVERYTHING!
_________
You’re growing on me Joe in Michigan.
Like a genital wart sure, but keep up the good work.
😀
March 17th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Sensible Joe needs to post more often.
March 17th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Anywho……….
JayMiss
McSoftie
🥰🥰🥰
March 17th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Doosh – the “genital wart” comment is pure poetry. With no offense to Joe in M, it was just funny.
March 17th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Philly just traded for Kenny Pickett so one would question their hiring staff. Before that trade they moved RB Swift and brought in Barkley.
Seems like they are making moves that will make them better with essential positions and reducing Payroll on one’s that are not.
Doubt Reddick will be kept from being traded because of fear of any one team.
Reedick could have a clause in his contract as to where he can choose where he goes just like the clause that gives him a 1mil roster bonus this season. Being 10-1 to start 2023 Reddick might just want to stay put play out his deal with Philly. and it he himself that knows how good Philly is as would not want to go to a worse team.
If they find someone better or a great deal comes along where a team like the Rams need to replace an Icon then they will do something with him.
Players get bigger deals usually for proven production over time. One year prove it deals are a lot fewer and farther between.
March 17th, 2024 at 5:09 pm
Latu please
March 17th, 2024 at 5:14 pm
Bowles ia Fine with Plan 9
March 17th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Dooosh: I know you were heartbroken when Durable Donnie found work elsewhere. Who were you going to hate on? 😂 It’s okay, you can hate on me, like Thee Rod Munch does.
Signed,
GW in Michigan
March 17th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
Joe,.that’s Exactly what I was thinking. I believe I wrote about a couple of days ago if memory isn’t failing me.
I’ll I know is that options are thin and we just EMBARRASSED the Eagles BADLY a few short months ago. They might be telling us we’re number 1 with their middle finger…
March 17th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Gut feel is that all us arm-chair defensive gurus are overthinking the pass rush issue. Todd Bowles has been an NFL DC for 7 years. His results …
o 2013 (Cards): #7 defense (20.3 PPG allowed) – 47 sacks
o 2014 (Cards): #5 defense (18.7 PPG allowed) – 35 sacks
o 2019 (Bucs): #29 defense (28.1 PPG allowed) – 47 sacks
o 2020 (Bucs): #8 defense (22.2 PPG allowed) – 48 sacks
o 2021 (Bucs): #5 defense (20.8 PPG allowed) – 47 sacks
o 2022 (Bucs): #13 defense (21.1 PPG allowed) – 45 sacks
o 2023 (Bucs): #7 defense (19.1 PPG allowed) – 48 sacks
What I see is a lot of consistency in terms of results over 7 years with a lot of different players. With the exception of his 1st year here (2019), his defenses have averaged in the Top-10 (around 7 or 8) and his PPG Allowed have averaged right around 20 PPG. His teams’ sacks have averaged a tad over 45 per year, very consistently. Got a hunch Todd has found a number of different ways to skin the cat.
March 17th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
I miss TheBucRealist, and all his !!!!!!
March 17th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
BTW kept wondering why it took Diaby so long to make it onto the field consistently. He had most of his snaps (281) in the last 7 games (averaging 40 per game), starting with the Colts game (48 snaps). In his first 10 games though, he only averaged 23 snaps per game.
Since Todd Bowles puts such a premium on DLinemen being able to play the run, got a hunch it took Ya Ya the first half of the season just to learn how to play the run to Bowles’ satisfaction. Got a hunch he’ll see a LOT more action this year. Reminds me of JPP in many ways. If he stays healthy, I could see him averaging 70-75% field time easily. Find someone to pair with him in the draft & that’ll go a long ways towards solving our pass rush worries.
March 17th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
I’ve always thought Anthony Nelson could be a 10 sack guy if he could get enough playing time
March 17th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
We can get an edge rusher through the draft. We should trade JTS for whatever picks we can get. Another pick helps us focus on an edge rusher earlier and take another position later. Give Nelson and Ramirez more playing time.
March 17th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Just bring Simeon Rice back. He’d probably still start.
March 17th, 2024 at 7:40 pm
You know what the alternative to great pass rush is? A great secondary. Two ways of getting the job done.
March 17th, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Re-sign David Moore as our third starting wide receiver!! Everything else will fall into place👍🏈
March 17th, 2024 at 9:10 pm
1st round – center jackson-powers or Graham Braton or Jared verse
2nd round – adisa Isaac or Christian mahogany or edgerrin Cooper.
March 17th, 2024 at 11:41 pm
“Rod Munch” – I bet if you were to take a look at THE TOP “Sacks Leaders” from last year, or even most years, you’ll find that prob HALF of them were drafted late late 2nd, to the 3rd & 4th Rounds… Prob a few ‘Undrafted’ in there, too!!!! Not worried here, at ALL. I’d much rather take more of a ‘sure thing’ by taking (trading up) for “Jackson Powers-Johnson” & pair him with Wirfs, to solidify our OL for the next 10+years… So, that our next (‘rookie’ high draft-pick) QB can just walk-in to a great situation. And, it also, gives us the opportunity of getting the best possible evaluation of Baker, during these next two seasons… Before having to fully commit/decide what to do with ‘HIM’ in the long term!!!!
March 17th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
I mean, you’ve got your “can’t miss” guys like, Mack & Boss, who come around every 4-5 years or so, but for the most part, these ‘EDGE-guys’ especially, are nothing but a crapshoot. 💯
March 18th, 2024 at 12:34 am
Licht will pair a defensive end in free agency with one he will draft. Not sure he will trade for one as that costs money and the pick.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:42 am
I am also with team Joe on this. Reddick may be the answer and/or JL has someone in mind in the upcoming draft.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:55 am
We are rolling with JTS and Diaby as our starters.
JTS is one a first round contract. He will start. Last chance for his career.
We will have more money new year to find a new OLB.
We don’t need a DE.
We need an OLB. But I’m okay with Diaby, JTS, Nelson, Watts, Gill and Ramirez for next year.
Don’t panic guys at OLB.
We’re okay.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:56 am
More money *next year to sign an OLB in free agency.