NFL.com: Bucs Must Find An Edge Rusher
February 5th, 2025
Key task this offseason.
This ain’t coming from Joe.
Instead, this comes straight from the fingertips of Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Patra has a pair of eyes, too. And like most reasonable people, he understands dominant teams are dominant because they have a stud edge rusher (or two).
Joe believes that the Bucs are a beastly edge rusher away from making a Super Bowl run. That’s right. The best way to fix a bad pass defense is to have a guy in the grill of the opposing quarterback if not slamming him to the ground (when the zebras aren’t looking).
So Patra highlighted the one thing each NFC team needs to resolve this offseason. Yesterday, Patra made no bones about it: The Bucs must find an edge rusher, or they will likely be watching the Super Bowl on TV next year—from their couches or from a beach bar in the Caribbean.
Tampa’s signing of Shaq Barrett after his December release from Miami spoke volumes of what the Bucs thought of their edge-rushing crew. They need help. Calijah Kancey (7.5) and Vita Vea (7) led Tampa in sacks in 2024. They’re both interior players — very good ones, but not your customary edge sack leaders. Yaya Diaby led the Bucs with 65 QB pressures but he needs a running mate. Former first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka never panned out and is a free agent. Barrett hits the market again at 32 after retiring for half of last year. Anthony Nelson, No. 2 among Tampa edge players with 32 QB pressures, is also a free agent.
If the Bucs can land a guy who is an established top-shelf edge rusher — no more dudes who can’t put the bong down (allegedly) — just think how much more Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey would produce. That front line would become the NFL’s version of George Patton’s Third Army racing through France at will in 1944.
Remember how the Bucs went bananas on drama queen Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay in the NFC title game after the 2020 season?
The Packers could not handle Ndamukong Suh and Vea inside so they started cheating inside with their offensive line. As a result, Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul went wilding on Rodgers.
That’s what a strong edge rusher would mean to the Bucs in 2025. The Bucs would be cooking with gas.
(See! Not once did Joe mention Myles Garrett in this post.)
February 5th, 2025 at 6:56 am
“…George Patton’s Third Army racing through France at will in 1944.” Always love the nod to WWII history Joseph.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:04 am
Bucs can easily afford Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat or DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency. Any of the three , but especially Mack or Sweat solve the edge issue immediately with a known quality vet that brings leadership to the locker room. These wild fantasies about Garret are just that-fantasies.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:10 am
“See! Not once did Joe mention Myles Garrett in this post.”
Yes at least I definitely noticed. You guys have convinced me that a franchise QB is critical, you’ve yet to convince me that the draft is the way to go and that Fameis wasn’t a huge mistake! How many players would Licht have gotten out of that draft if they converted that #1 into 3 solid starters?
Garrett is proven there is no doubt! He, if healthy, would make a difference!
But at what cost. If the Bucs sign Garrett that will mean NOT signing other players, perhaps CG14 and other needed replacement parts.
I wish to see the Bucs try and emulate KC and become a contender EVERY season. That takes AMAZING Cap management and very judicious decisions on where to spend the money.
2 first rounders, a third rounder, and another day 3 pick are incredibly EXPENSIVE! Garrett’s salary would IMPACT the Bucs already challenging Cap position, which is about to get better IF the Bucs can find that edge rush from a cheaper solution.
In honesty, again I get and support all the “what iffing” about Garrett. I’m simply saying that perhaps a few more “doubles” and “triples” might be nicer than ONE HR.
Bottom line: I’m very comfortable because I think Jason “has this”. If we sign Garrett I’ll look forward to watching and hoping it pans out. If we don’t I’m totally comfortable.
Remember the Bucs finished in the middle of the pack in overall D…18th.
Yes they sucked in pass D at 29th just ahead of Detroit and Baltimore two SB contenders at the start of the year. The Bucs were FOURTH!!! in run D. Remember the two 4th down stops against the Commanders a team that had been incredibly successful going on 4th the past season.
The Bucs finished 7th as in TOP TEN in sacks last year!!! That’s not what killed the D. After LVD the Bucs fielded the worst LB’s in the league and the DB’s were not much better. Fortunately Zyon appears to be the real deal and a couple of kids emerged. FIX THE HORRIBLE LB position! Find another cover corner! Top ten in sacks would seem to indicate that there are much larger problems than the DL.
The Bucs have yet to recover from the mental implosion of DW45!!! If they had the equivalent of a DW45 his first two seasons, a healthy Winfield, they would be fine! I get it. Those are two big IFs and of course there’s always LVD. Will he stay or will he go?
If Jason signs Garrett fine. If not I’m truly comfortable with Jason’s plan to fix the LB problem. He took care of the OL and RB situation last year, he’ll do the same for the D this year.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:18 am
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 100 times, it’s hard for and edge rusher to get a sack if he’s covering the curl to the flat.
Without healthy corners that can actually cover, Bowles won’t even call the defense so the edge guys can get after the QB. He’ll play everybody off in soft zone. He’s a risk mitigator. Does he blitz alot? Yes, but it’s mostly run blitzing. He’ll gladly give up 240 pass yards a game, so long as he keeps them under 100 yards rushing.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Garrett will end up with the Commanders – they have a ton of Cap space and a franchise QB on a rookie deal so can build a strong roster. I’d love him to join the Bucs but we cant compete with some of the offers he’ll get.
Josh Sweat (as Bucsfan already said) would be a more likely target for Licht
February 5th, 2025 at 7:23 am
You guys can stop dreaming about Myles Garrett. Licht aint gonna pay a 1st, 2nd, and a player. Nor is he gonna pay 2 1sts,
February 5th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Hes not leaving Cleveland might as well go for a free agent.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:48 am
Yes, we need an edge rusher. Everyone is saying it. The time has come to make it happen.
Unfortunately, I think Steven #55 is correct. Garrett will probably go to the Commanders.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Amen, Joe, Amen. You said all there is to say about a pass rush and what it would do for this team.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Garrett turns 30 this year. I wouldn’t give up more than a third rounder for him.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:43 am
That’s good . Because they are not going after him. He is not coming here.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:59 am
LOL
February 5th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Garrett is top of the list – but if they can add Sweat or Mack or trade for either Crosby or Hemdrickson if they’re available should be part of the plan. What should NOT be part of the plan is dumpster diving like last year or counting on a rookie edge rusher to come in and make a significant day 1 impact. Even Garrett, who is by far an elite pass rusher only had 7 sacks his rookie year. And was the first overall pick. The guys that will be available at 19 won’t likely match that production. To expect that is insane.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Would definitely draft a DE, find a FA DE and keep Nelson as a backup for now. This whole draft needs to be about the defense.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:12 am
But Todd doesn’t think one is needed. Right?
February 5th, 2025 at 11:17 am
This draft class is deep on OLB/DE! Hopefully it’s not like 2011 where we took Adrain Cayborn and Bowers when we could of had Cam Jordan and Justin Houston.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Ahh, DeQuan Bowers! Waiting for him to do something was like waiting for JTS. Both were like watching Waiting for Godot.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Garrett ain’t coming here Joe.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Trade for Landry, Draft Ezeiruaku
Trade for Harold Landry before free agency, restructure his contract to free cap space, then trade back from Pick 19 to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku while adding assets.
🔄 Step 1: Trade for Landry & Restructure
💰 Offer Tennessee a 2026 third & 2027 fourth—they free $10M+ in cap space, while Tampa restructures Landry’s $24M cap hit down to $12-15M for flexibility.
📉 Step 2: Trade Back & Draft Ezeiruaku
📌 Move back 5-10 spots from Pick 19, secure extra picks, and still land Ezeiruaku—a high-motor, technically polished edge rusher who thrives opposite Landry.
🏆 The Win-Win Plan
✔ Landry Secured & Restructured – Proven pass rusher at a manageable cap hit.
✔ Trade Back Adds Draft Capital – More picks for ILB, CB, S, WR, and RB depth.
✔ In Addition: This move keeps Tampa’s long-term flexibility intact, allowing them to address other key needs.
Tampa fixes its edge rush 🔥 without overpaying or sacrificing long-term success.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:33 pm
So who’s the pothead? JTS?
February 5th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
If Harold Landry isn’t available, Tampa Bay can pivot by signing Azeez Ojulari in free agency and still trading back in the 1st round to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku, securing a young, high-upside pass-rush duo without overspending.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
At the end of the season, it sometimes looked that way – that the Bucs just needed the pass rush to get home. And, sacks are wonderful, helpful things to have. But, you can only believe that edge rusher is the Bucs greatest need if you have forgotten that the Bucs started the 2024 season with arguably the best scoring defense in the NFL.
In the first four weeks, the Bucs played four of the top ten offenses in the NFL. Collectively, those four offenses averaged 28.475 points per game. Against the Bucs, they averaged only 19.5 points per game. If the Bucs had averaged 19.5 points per game for the season, they would have finished tied for the fifth best scoring defense in the league.
Then, the Bucs lost ILB SirVocea Dennis for the season, and the Bucs defense was never that good again. For he rest of the season, the Bucs only played one other top ten offense. But, against lesser offenses, their scoring defense fell to sixteenth!
OLB/pass rusher is NOT the Bucs greatest need! The Bucs sack leader, Calijah Kancey, missed all four of those first four games, and the Bucs defense still excelled!
Defensive Back is NOT the Bucs greatest need! Antoine Winfield missed three of those four games, and the Bucs defense still excelled!
Inside Linebacker IS the Bucs greatest need! Of those first four games, the only poor performance by the defense was against Denver – 26 points! In that game, the Bucs defense gave up two touchdowns; both were surrendered by ILB’s not named Lavonte David.
On third and goal, SirVocea Dennis (4.63 forty) stood on the hash marks lined up with Bo Nix (4.71 forty). Dennis hesitated, and the slower Nix beat Dennis to the corner and scored.
On fourth and goal, K. J. Britt (4.76 forty) faced Bo Nix who again headed to the corner. Britt did not hesitate; Nix just outran him to score again.
Sean Payton showed the Bucs their weakest link in week 3; Denver only got inside the Bucs 10 yard line twice in that game. Where did Payton attack for touchdowns? Both times, Payton attacked ILB’s not named Lavonte David!
Yes, the Bucs need better second string cornerbacks. They need more depth at Defensive Back in general. They would benefit from more speed at strong safety. When backup DB Izien was lost, the defense suffered every time a starting DB was out. But, the Bucs have the starting Defensive Backs they need.
Yes, the Bucs could benefit from a more productive edge rusher or another attacking defensive lineman. But, even without Kancey, against top tier offenses, the Bucs defense demonstrated that it could excel with the remaining front five starters and backups!
Bowles also demonstrated that the Bucs greatest need for starters and backups is at ILB by so often running soft zones! The Bucs outside cornerbacks have 4.3 and 4.33 speed; the nickel cornerback has 4.43 speed; the free safety has 4.45 speed, and the strong safety has 4.57 speed. But, the Bucs starting ILB’s are barely fast enough to play man coverage with 4.63 and 4.65 speed. The backups who played the last 13 games of the season were too slow to play man coverage with 4.76 and 4.82 speed.
Inside Linebacker IS the Bucs greatest need, and a great one is available in the first round of the draft – Jihaad Campbell!
By drafting Campbell in the first round, the Bucs get a 6’3″, #245 player with 4.55 speed thumping cover linebacker who not only can do it all as a three down sideline to sideline ILB, but in passing situations, Campbell can move to OLB where he is also very productive.
The Bucs also need to draft a coverage linebacker in the third or fourth round. Likely prospects include Barret Carter (6’1″, #230, 4.55), Smael Mondon (6’3″, #235, 4.46), and Lander Barton (6’4″, #236, 4.55). With Lavonte David back for at least another year, the Bucs would turn their position of greatest weakness on defense into a position of tremendous strength!
Use the second round pick to take an edge rusher or an attacking defensive lineman like Kancey. Use the remaining third or fourth round pick and the fifth round pick to take a defensive backs.
Bring back Godwin, David, Nelson and even JTS if you get a penetrating defensive lineman in the second round. Look for a free agent strong safety competition and DB depth in general.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Or not….just go 4 down linemen. Why they keep beating this dead horse?
February 5th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
WE HAVE ! MYLES GARRETT ! NOW GET HIM! STR RESTRUCTURING CONTRACTS!
February 5th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
WHEN IS TOOPACANNAS NEXT NOVEL COMING OUT
February 5th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
I believe out Bucs could get Barrett for a 1st, 2nd and a player. Sure he’s 29. But he’s got 4 more good years left in him and worth every penny of the asking price. Changes out whole Defensive Outlook. Why can’t I dream?
February 5th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Ya, who’s the pothead besides Laremy Tunsil?????
February 5th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
People act like Yaya has suddenly taken a step backwards. Go listen to other teams after we played them – Yaya was brought up all the time as someone who they thought looked great, and it wouldn’t shock me in the least if he had a breakout season IF Bowles would stop playing so soft in the secondary.
Really, that’s the big thing. If you’re just sitting back in the garbage super soft zone, even if you get pressure, it’s unlikely to matter since the QB always has an easy throw they can make.
Tighten up the coverage, and suddenly Yaya will look like the up and coming star he is.
Also way too early to write off Braswell – the guy was a project player who didn’t have a ton of reps in college, so we don’t really know yet what we got in him.
With that said, Licht, please stop drafting these edge and defensive line guys who are projects and who haven’t produced in college. Yeah, you hit on some of those guys, but the miss rate seems way higher on them. If you’re drafting someone in the first, I hope they go with upside AND production, with a 1st round pick they should have someone like that still on the board.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Can’t sack the quarterback when your 15 yards deep trying to cover Cee Dee Lamb on an out route.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Aqualung Says:
February 5th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Can’t sack the quarterback when your 15 yards deep trying to cover Cee Dee Lamb on an out route.
——-
Yeah, the soft coverage consistently allows QB’s to dump the ball off, even if they’re in trouble. Tighter coverage, alone, would make all TB pass rushers look better.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Joe was referring to FA DE n op show Randy Gregory. Can’t put the Bong down reference.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
You mentioned Myles Garrett by mentioning Myles Garrett lol. Go get him Jason. Seriously. He’s worth our 1st round picks for a few years.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Tighter coverage is what happened in the second halves of certain games during the 6-1 stretch, Rod. To which Todd publicly said he “didn’t know why” the defense was better in those second halves. Head scratcher.
I agree – please tighten up the coverage, it can be done in zone too!
February 6th, 2025 at 2:58 am
If that’s true, why can’t Cincy crack the playoffs with nearly 5000 yard passer in Joe Burrow – and an edge rusher that’s averaged 17 (+) sacks per year for the past 2 years?
Hint: ILB a couple of corners & maybe another safety are REALLY critical…
Save some cap, trade for Trey Hendrickson, sign a CB & ILB, then draft some depth.
Like Chucky told you, it ain’t rocket surgery.
February 6th, 2025 at 6:37 am
Rod
Agree about YaYa and Braswell. You make some very good points.