The Bucs & Donovan Ezeiruaku
March 18th, 2025
There are a few guarantees when it comes to Joe.
One is that Joe will do nothing but stand and applaud whenever the Bucs draft an edge rusher. Yeah, the Bucs may not very good at that, but the modern game demands dangerous edge rushers.
It’s easy to argue it’s the most important position on a defense. That’s why they’re paid so much damn money.
The Bucs just signed beastly edge rusher Haason Reddick, who had a ghastly 2024 but is loaded with talent and stud seasons on his resume at 30 years old. They also have YaYa Diaby, a third-year edge rusher with elite talent, but his game has proven to be incomplete. There’s veteran Anthony Nelson in the stable, a solid backup but not a dangerous edge rusher. And they’ve got second-year man Chris Braswell.
On the Ira Kaufman Podcast, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said he’s confident Braswell with “shock” fans this season.
So do the Bucs think they’re set at edge rusher?
Former Eagles, Browns and Ravens scout Daniel Jeremiah, a former college QB, doesn’t think so. The NFL Network draft guru believes the Bucs will go edge rusher in Round 1 at pick No. 19, per his latest mock draft.
He’s got the Bucs taking Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston Collee.
“Bucs GM Jason Licht has always valued production, and Ezeiruaku brings exactly that to the table with 16.5 sacks last season. He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft,” Jeremiah wrote.
Jeremiah has said many times he bases his drafts on what he’s hearing and scouting.
Joe’s not going to call edge rusher a major Bucs need, but again, Joe would applaud drafting Ezeiruaku.
Hey, the Rams are ecstatic after drafting defensive rookie of the year Jared Verse at No. 19 last season. The next edge rusher off the board, Chop Robinson, had a very strong season finish for the Dolphins (6 sacks in his final 10 games).
Yes, first-round rookie edge rushers sometimes make an impact late in their rookie years. (The other three edge rushers taken in last year’s first round did not have special seasons).
At 6-2, 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a small edge rusher, but he’s got superior athleticism (a former track star) and Joe likes that he’s still just 21 years old. The former Boston College captain surely will add man strength and weight next season.
If the Bucs think he’s the best available player on the board, then he’d be hard to pass up.
JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan broke down this year’s class of edge rushers on Best In Class. Listen below.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Yaya goes for double digits this year. Braswell becomes a player. Reddick = we’ll see?
I hope we’re looking at safeties too… Safety play might have been as bad as any position group last year.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
This would load our Edge to a whole another level
March 18th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
If there isn’t a CB or ILB worth taking at 19, edge is the obvious choice. DT and OT after that.
Reddick could need replacing next season and Vea is getting up there.
An OT could replace Luke next season, he’s gonna be pricey and has a potential concussion issue ahead of him. Obviously we need guys on D to help us win now but if strictly going BPA because the top defensive targets are off the board… I understand.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
If the Bucs want to be a contender to win it all in the post-season they must have more depth on the D-line including edge-rushers. I love our starting 4 we have at present but there’s no guarantee they’ll all be playing when we enter the playoffs. We’ve got to have strong back-up’s with minimal drop-off should they need to play. It probably will take more than one off-season to achieve that but we at least need to add one more before training camp.
The Bucs had Patrick Mahomes running for his life back when we won the Super Bowl and Philly did the same this past season. We’ve got to be able to put intense pressure on him and some of the other great QBs to give us the best chance for another boat parade.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Bucs and Licht should now focus on suing their first-round draft on a CB or LB. Give Braswell a shot of winning a starting position.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Team Captain? Was Campbell a captain? Mr. Licht loves his captains and high character guys.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
The ‘competition’ has been pushing for the Bucs to draft this player for awhile now…. and makes a compelling case btw…..
I’m onboard with this guy at #19 even if I don’t know how to pronounce his name. He has roughly the same size and speed as Mike Green and had 1 less sack – but was more productive in a number of ways – also has a HUGE wingspan advantage – (82-3/4″ vs 77-5/8″).
The Eagles just reminded us of how well the blueprint the Buccaneers created in 2020 works at stopping Patrick Mahomes and winning a Super Bowl.
Relentless Defensive line pressure! With 4 rushers……
Defense still wins Championships in this league – despite the NFLs best efforts at transforming the game into an offensive fantasy/flag football affair.
If Donovan Ezeiruaku is on the board at #19 – the Bucs would likely be hard pressed to get better value with that pick – both positional and player wise….
March 18th, 2025 at 3:58 pm
This off season is not very exciting cause Bowles is coming back. Kind of Blah. Oh well. Now even Plan 9 from Outer Space is gone. Season will end up around .500 as usual.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Leipold Stitch, no, Campbell wasn’t one of Alabamas 4 team captains. But according to the coaches he stepped up as the leader and playmaker on their defense. Great edge rushers are great but the holes in our squad require we have some guys who can not only stop the run but also cover the flats and quick slants. Campbell can do those things and even run stunts coming off either edge. I think I’d rather see Campbell but I would still crack a cold beer if we choose Ezeiruaku.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Bowles should be just fine after drafting the rest of his Defense.
David and Godwin and Reddick is plenty exciting enough.
Browns mocked to draft Edge even with 9 signing lol
Just need a ballhawk CB to Challenge Dean
Rest of Draft picks will be icing on SB cake.
If Bucs load Edge at 19 or land LVD heir mission beyond accomplished.
Top CB mandatory tho; glaring weakness left without one
March 18th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Bucs are known for selecting good edge rushers on the first two rounds. I would concentrate on linebackers, corners and another safety then go from there.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
But while we’re talking edge and Inside Linebacker let’s not forget at least one more beast to help our defensive tackles take a breather now and again. I just really hope we remember this draft for the defenders we get. Cause that’s what we need.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Reddick and Braswell shouldn’t be a consideration when it comes to drafting an edge rusher. The eagles had one of the best pass rushes last season and they continue to add via free agency. They will probably add another in the draft. We need a complete pass rush rotation.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:15 pm
CB and LB are the biggest weakness now.
Draft for needs early on defense.
Somehow we have to out sign and out draft Bowles Swiss cheese scheme.
A very tall order to try and overcome.
What was the undoing of the team in the playoff?
If you answered the defense you get a prize.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
You don’t draft inside linebackers, safeties, or TE in the first unless they are generational talents. You draft the highest paid positions so you can lock them up on cheap contracts because it allows you to pay quality vets. QB, Edge, tackles, WR, then corner as a rule.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
In terms of priorities, our biggest deficiency (OK, hole) is in the middle of the field. Opposing QBs ate us alive in the short passing game last season.
Bucs defense was studly when we had Devin White on his game in 2020 & 2021. Once he started slipping, our defense slipped too. Hopefully we can draft his replacement this year someplace in Rnds 1-3.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Again, I preach to you…BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE!!!!! Good teams don’t let a superior player go by to address a “need”. Only if the best player available is at a need position does drafting for need make sense!!! BPA…PLEASE
March 18th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
As Joe said, we have Braz, Ya, Reddick, Nelson. Had we not signed Reddick I’d say go for it, but where’s the kid going to play? I want a first round pick who doesn’t come off the field, not one who’ll have a hard time cracking the rotation. Vea is a year older, Kancey hasn’t made it through a full season yet. If you’re going to draft D line how about another tackle? How about a 1st round corner, or MLB like Campbell? Rookie edge rushers rarely make an impact let alone one who has 4 players in front of him. Add to the fact it’s hard to hit on an edge drafting at 19, other needs, Bucs should pass on this kid.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
There are a bunch of updated mocks that have Green from
Marshall falling to the Bucs
March 18th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
pickgrin … ‘If Donovan Ezeiruaku is on the board at #19 – the Bucs would likely be hard pressed to get better value with that pick – both positional and player wise….’
I like him too, but as a rookie he’ll be hard-pressed to get much more than 30-40% of the def snaps. We have yet to solve our MLB problem, and if Campbell is there at #19, and we draft him, he’ll end up being our MLB starter. Gets to work a year with LVD, gets to put in someplace between 1000-1100 def snaps, and would likely end up making a much bigger difference in our defensive performances.
What concerns me about the current crop of ILBs in this draft is that most are slow as cold molasses. That’s EXACTLY what everyone hit KJ Britt about … good instincts, but slow getting there.
Jihaad Campbell (#1) runs a 4.55 sec 40. Carson Schwesinger (#2) runs a 4.60 sec 40. Most of the others ran a 4.70 sec 40 (or more); not impressed. KJ Britt (now of the Dolphins) ran a 4.76 sec 40 and couldn’t get the job done.
I’d love to think that we could just go out and buy a starting MLB, but it turns out we’re out of money after all our recent ‘deals’. Bucs now rank #31 in the Top-51 salary CAP rankings with MINUS $1.6 mil. Fortunately our primary NFC South competition, Atlanta, now ranks as #32 with MINUS $1.7 mil.
March 18th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Beware our division rivals loading up on defense to attack Baker. Glad we got a solid oline. Go Bowles!
March 18th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Licht does like team captains a lot so it won’t surprise me if he drafts this guy. Like Joe, I will have zero issue with the Bucs adding more pass rushers.
March 18th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Sounds like a Buccaneer man.
March 18th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Don’t sleep on Braswell. I personally feel like Campbell will be the pick, if he’s still available
March 18th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
1.5 sacks ain’t a reason to stay awake.
March 18th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
I agree about the middle of the field. Vita was basically it, Lavonte had no help at the second level and no one else realy seemed to know what they were doing in the D-backfield. Jason knows what he’s doing, this is starting to shape up to be BPA between ILB, DB, Edge and Middle Beast.
March 18th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Don’t sleep on [insert name here]…. Remove “JTS” , replace with “Braswell”. lol.
I will believe it when I see it, until then Braswell is just another practice squad level player.
March 18th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
He has to be the pick if available, IMO. Unless there’s a different defensive stud projected to go much higher available.
March 18th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Joe Says:
March 18th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Don’t sleep on Braswell.
Shouldn’t take much for Braswell to double or triple his production at least..
March 18th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Ezeiruaku is a nice player but a bit undersized. Not sure how he will hold up against 330lbs OT’s. On the off chance that Jason Licht is paying attention, I am going to keep beating the drum for Emmanwori at SAFETY. If Winfield returns to form, pretty confident that Winfield Jr and Emmanwori would form the best safety duo in the NFL. Of the two, equally confident that Emmanwori is the better player. Those two guys with Tykee Smith covering the slot would really shore up the middle of the field. Going to need a couple of new CB’s and ILB’s which can be found in rounds 2,3,4,5.
March 18th, 2025 at 9:17 pm
I am not completely sold on Ezeraku? , he looks a bit thin framed. Mike Greene at about the same size seams a bit more physical, tougher. Remember they will be playing much much better off linemen.
March 18th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Donavan or Campbell
March 18th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Gipper Says:
March 18th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Bigger than Reddick. Bigger than Shaq. 6-2, 248 is fine for an edge rusher as long as he’s not playing with his hand in the dirt all the time.
March 18th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Good call Filthy. I was about to say the same thing. Arm length and 3 cone are more important for edge anyway. DE is ranked high in both categories.
March 18th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Biggest problem I see with drafting an edge rusher in the first is our failure so far to draft a guy at edge that teams have to worry about. Bucs are far better at drafting secondary, linebackers, and DT.
March 18th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
South Jersey product! Grew up in the town next to me Williamstown!
March 18th, 2025 at 11:15 pm
Too small? Too thin? Let’s stick to reality.
Rickey Jackson: 136 sacks.
Dwight Freeney: 125.5 sacks.
Robert Mathis: 123 sacks.
Elvis Dumervil: 105.5 sacks.
James Harrison: 84.5 sacks.
All elite pass rushers. None fit the old-school prototype, yet they dominated because of technique, explosiveness, and relentless motor—not just weight.
Look at the measurables:
Freeney: 6’1”, 258 lbs
Mathis: 6’2”, 245 lbs
Dumervil: 5’11”, 250 lbs
Harrison: 6’0”, 242 lbs
Now let’s talk about Donovan—6’2½ frame.
That puts him in the same range as Derrick Thomas, Patrick Swilling, Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Kevin Greene, Terrell Suggs, and James Houston—all premier edge rushers.
Size isn’t the issue. Can he rush? Can he bend? Can he finish? That’s what matters. The tape will tell you everything you need to know.
March 19th, 2025 at 1:28 am
Love all that best case scenario stuff Joe!
That Jeremiah dream is great (bet he got lots of clicks) if we had two first round picks that produced a starting ILB as well.
It’s an either or and we really have 3 spots that need starters on defense.
Go Bucs!
March 19th, 2025 at 6:27 am
“but where’s the kid going to play? I want a first round pick who doesn’t come off the field, not one who’ll have a hard time cracking the rotation.”
@Hodad, I believe Ezeiraku would be a starter. If not immediately, then halfway the season.
March 19th, 2025 at 7:37 am
he’s the pick at 19