SR’s Fab 5: Losing Yaya Diaby Would’ve Been A Disaster For Bucs

INTRO: On what began off because the happiest of days with the announcement of Professional Bowl left deal with Tristan Wirfs changing into the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL historical past, Thursday’s observe ended on a really grim and solemn be aware when star cross rusher Yaya Diaby went down with a left ankle damage that required him to be carted off by staff trainers.

Diaby was down on the bottom for a number of minutes as teammates knelt in prayer round him whereas Bobby Slater and the Bucs medical workers assessed the scenario. The damage occurred within the last interval in the course of the two-minute drill.

Fortunately, the Bucs prevented a catastrophe as Diaby’s damage will not be season-ending. So breathe a sigh of reduction and luxuriate in this coaching camp model of SR’s Fab 5 as I discuss Diaby and the necessity for different edge rushers to step up in his absence, amongst different subjects.

FAB 1. Dropping Yaya Diaby Would’ve Been A Catastrophe For Bucs

Disaster averted.

Bucs outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby suffered a left ankle damage on the finish of Thursday’s observe, which turned out to be a excessive ankle sprain. That damage will sideline Diaby for four-to-six weeks, however he must be able to roll by the season opener when Washington involves city on September 8.

The Bucs medical workers shortly decided that Diaby, who needed to be carted off the sphere, didn’t endure a torn Achilles tendon, which might have been a season-ending damage. X-rays later decided that there was additionally no ankle fracture.

Whew!

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay simply misplaced new guard Sua Opeta to a torn ACL damage on Tuesday evening. That was a tricky damage as Opeta was battling Ben Bredeson for the beginning left guard spot, however not insurmountable. Bredeson was main the competitors and taking a lot of the beginning reps.

Dropping Diaby would have been a catastrophe for the Bucs and Todd Bowles’ protection. Not solely was final 12 months’s third-round decide the main sacker final season with 7.5 quarterback captures, Diaby was clearly the most effective defensive participant via the primary week of coaching camp.

Merely put, Diaby has been dominant, and was giving suits to offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke and Justin Skule each day in observe and piling up would-be sacks. It’s clear that the time Diaby has put within the weight room to extend his energy, within the Pilates courses to extend his flexibility and agility, within the movie room getting a greater understanding of Bowles’ system, and on the observe area honing his cross rush strikes have paid off.

However the truth that Diaby has been head and shoulders above all different edge rushers has been a bit regarding. Had Tampa Bay misplaced him for the season, the Bucs’ cross rush would’ve taken an enormous hit. He’s merely on one other degree proper now that no different Bucs edge rusher is on. There’s a actual probability that Diaby is not going to solely lead the staff in sacks once more this season, however that he might hit double digit sacks given his distinctive and distinctive mixture of dimension, pace, energy and uncooked energy.

Merely put, there isn’t a substitute for Diaby on the Bucs’ present roster. He’s really irreplaceable and an important cog to Tampa Bay’s protection, which needs to get higher with its four-man cross rush this 12 months so Bowles can blitz when he needs to and never should depend on blitzes to generate stress.

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby and 49ers QB Brock Purdy – Photograph by: USA As we speak

Whereas there isn’t a doubt that the time without work the sphere rehabbing and restoration from this damage will inhibit the progress he might be making on the observe area and within the preseason video games, the strides that Diaby has already made make me imagine he’ll decide proper up the place he left off as soon as he’s wholesome once more.

It will have been enjoyable to see the strides Diaby might have made this August in camp and within the exhibition video games, however holding him out of the preseason now ensures that he’ll be wholesome firstly of the common season when it issues essentially the most.

Defensive deal with Calijah Kancey, final 12 months’s first-round decide, missed all of coaching camp and the preseason and primarily the primary 4 video games of the common season with a severe calf pressure. When he lastly re-entered the beginning lineup, he recorded a sack in his return to motion in opposition to Detroit in Week 6.

Maybe that very same scenario happens for Diaby when he returns to motion in Week 1 in opposition to the Washington Commanders.

Look out, Jayden Daniels.

FAB 2. Yaya Diaby’s Harm May Be A Blessing In Disguise

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Let me be clear – Bucs outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby struggling a excessive ankle sprain will not be a very good factor. No person wished to see that occur.

However the truth that it has occurred leads us to have a look at the ramifications of getting No. 0 out of the lineup for the remainder of coaching camp and the preseason. With no clear-cut beginning candidate reverse Diaby in camp, there will likely be some additional reps to go round in his absence.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who’s essentially the most skilled outdoors linebacker in Tampa Bay with 34 begins below his belt, is coming into a contract 12 months. He’s penciled in as a starter for now and has taken the starter reps reverse Diaby since OTAs. However Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t put his title atop the depth chart in pen but.

If the season begins with out Diaby, head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles would probably begin his two veterans at outdoors linebacker – JTS and long-time reserve Anthony Nelson, who’s coming into his sixth season in Tampa Bay, and can be in a contract 12 months. That’s, until another person steps up in camp.

Bucs OLBs Chris Braswell, Eric Banks and Jose Ramirez – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Proper now, the hole between Tryon-Shoyinka and Nelson and the remainder of the staff’s edge rushers is a giant because the hole between Diaby, who’s clearly the most effective outdoors linebacker on the staff, and JTS and Nelly is.

The time is now for second-round decide Chris Braswell and a pair of second-year edge rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez to make the most of the additional reps that will likely be obtainable at Diaby’s expense. It’s time for considered one of them to make a transfer up the depth chart and actually problem Tryon-Shoyinka and Nelson for extra enjoying time and maybe the beginning job reverse Diaby.

Braswell has struggled to this point in camp, and that’s not unusual for rookie edge rushers. Diaby didn’t come on sturdy till halfway via his rookie season final 12 months. His first sack didn’t come till Week 8 at Buffalo.

The Alabama product continues to be having a tough time hitting the one-man sled appropriately in observe. Do not forget that Braswell performed behind Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner for years and didn’t actually begin till his senior season. He’s going to be one other late bloomer like Diaby was.

Bucs OT Silas Dzansi and OLB Markees Watts – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Watts has struggled in opposition to the run in camp, however nonetheless shines as a cross rusher. He’s added extra dimension and gotten as much as 250 kilos this 12 months, however was flattened on back-to-back working performs by tight finish Ko Kieft and third-string left deal with Silas Dzansi throughout Monday’s fully-padded observe. Not a terrific look. Watts might want to proceed to enhance as a run defender to point out Bowles and the staff that he’s greater than only a designated cross rusher solely worthy of a handful of snaps per recreation on third downs.

Ramirez faces an identical problem. He’s not as quick and electrical as Watts is as a cross rusher, and he’s additionally not sufficiently big to set the sting within the run recreation fairly but. Each he and Watts have had some good reps and a few sacks in camp, however neither has begun to actually stack reps and stack days sufficient to make a transfer up the depth chart.

With Diaby’s absence in August, we are going to see some pure elevation on Tampa Bay’s edge rusher depth chart. Tryon-Shoyinka and Nelson will probably be the starters within the preseason, and Braswell and both Watts or Ramirez will likely be on the second string. We’ll see which outdoors linebacker – or outdoors linebackers – can make the most of just a few extra reps with Diaby out of motion.

FAB 3. Bucs 2024 Rookie Class Ought to Subject 4 Eventual Starters

Ask any normal supervisor concerning the draft and he’ll say that the hope – and maybe the expectation – of any given draft class is to search out two fast high quality starters and discover just a few depth items – with maybe one other starter rising from that group over time. If that occurs, most groups are fairly glad. That’s often a really profitable draft.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

The extra a staff wins with a proficient roster, the much less reliant it’s on discovering starters via the draft. That’s why it’s wild to assume {that a} staff like Tampa Bay that received its third straight division title and a complete of 10 video games final 12 months, together with a Wild Card residence playoff win over Philadelphia, will wind up with 4 starters out of the 2024 draft class.

That’s proper – 4 starters from this 12 months’s draft class.

Graham Barton, the staff’s first-round decide, would be the beginning heart, supplanting Robert Hainsey. Barton is on his approach to changing into an eventual Professional Bowl heart. All he wants is enjoying time and expertise for that to occur. He’s the true deal.

Each of the Bucs’ third-round picks, broad receiver Jalen McMillan and defensive again Tykee Smith may even be rookie starters. McMillan has a agency grip on the WR3 function. He’s been spectacular in camp, displaying off certain palms, regular route-running and a knack for making huge performs and catching touchdowns. Liam Coen’s offense will function quite a lot of 11 personnel utilization (one again, one tight finish, three receivers), so the staff’s No. 3 receiver on the depth chart will likely be a starter.

Smith is the front-runner for the nickel cornerback job. He performed the Star place at Georgia, which is a hybrid security/nickelback function, and he’s impressed Todd Bowles along with his heady play and robust soccer I.Q. Smith can be a wonderful blitzer. Tavierre Thomas has three interceptions in camp and is giving Smith a run for his cash, nevertheless it seems like Christian Izien, final 12 months’s beginning slot cornerback, appears destined to be the backup free security this season.

Bucs DB Tykee Smith – Photograph by Cliff Welch/PR

As beforehand talked about, outdoors linebacker Chris Braswell, the staff’s second-round decide, seems like he’ll be a late bloomer. If he makes fast enchancment within the preseason, he might wind up beginning reverse Diaby sooner fairly than later. However keep in mind that Diaby didn’t develop into a starter till late November. So I believe Braswell will comply with an identical path and wind up as a starter by the tip of the 12 months.

Oh, and working again Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay’s fourth-round decide, may even see loads of enjoying time. He’s actually been spectacular working and catching the ball within the first week of camp, and Irving has held up nicely in cross safety, too. I don’t assume he’ll unseat Rachaad White as a starter throughout his rookie season, however Irving figures to get loads of snaps this fall.

Contemplating that normal supervisor Jason Licht drafted 5 starters from the 2022 class in proper deal with Luke Goedeke (second spherical), working again Rachaad White (third spherical), tight finish Cade Otton (fourth spherical), punter Jake Camarda (fourth spherical) and cornerback Zyon McCollum (fifth spherical), after which discovered three extra in final 12 months’s draft class in defensive deal with Calijah Kancey (first spherical), proper guard Cody Mauch (second spherical) and Diaby (third spherical), touchdown 4 extra starters within the draft at this level is just unbelievable.

FAB 4. Bucs Have An Attention-grabbing – And Deep – O-Line Room

Bucs OT Silas Dzansi and OL Brandon Walton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

I’m actually excited to see Tampa Bay’s offensive line carry out within the preseason. The season-ending damage to protect Sua Opeta stings for certain, however Jason Licht, John Spytek, Mike Biehl, Rob McCartney and the staff’s scouts have completed a very good job of getting some high quality NFL-caliber expertise within the offensive line room.

It often takes offensive linemen just a few years to really grow to be competent performers. As soon as a lineman has come from faculty and hits an NFL weight room so as to add the mandatory dimension and energy to go up in opposition to grown males – and “grown man energy” is certainly a factor within the trenches – expertise will finally decide if he can develop into a starting-caliber participant or only a reserve.

The moment success of linemen like Professional Bowl left deal with Tristan Wirfs and former Professional Bowl guard Ali Marpet is the exception, not the norm. Usually, it takes a 12 months or two or three for linemen to really develop. Guys like Alex Cappa, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch are examples of that gradual and regular development over time.

Taking part in time is actually the most effective trainer. There isn’t any substitute for expertise. So, the true growth of veteran reserves like tackles Justin Skule and Brandon Walton, who may even see a while at guard now with Opeta’s damage, is one thing that can proceed to happen within the preseason. Skule seems to be a lock to be the swing deal with once more this 12 months attributable to his expertise, however the Bucs even have some intriguing, younger deal with prospects.

Bucs LT Lorenz Metz and OLB Jose Ramirez – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Silas Dzansi, who spent all of final 12 months on the observe squad, has had his moments in coaching camp this 12 months. A giant, highly effective deal with out of Virginia Tech at 6-foot-5, 335 kilos, he has proven the flexibility to play both left or proper in observe. He’s confirmed to be a people-mover at instances within the run recreation and is adept sufficient at cross safety to stay round.

Lorenz Metz, who hails from Germany and is the Bucs’ worldwide participant, is a 6-foot-9, 310-pound left deal with whose body is harking back to that of former Tampa Bay proper deal with Demar Dotson. If Metz, who’s a 27-year-old from Cincinnati, can present that his ft are fast sufficient to pair along with his immense wingspan, he might be a candidate for the observe squad as a developmental prospect like Dzansi was final 12 months.

The opposite reserve offensive lineman who’s approaching sturdy is rookie Elijah Klein, Tampa Bay’s sixth-round decide. He was working as Mauch’s backup at proper guard till Opeta’s damage. Now, he’s getting snaps at left guard too, and will finally push newcomer Ben Bredeson for the beginning job if he ranges up in the course of the preseason.

Bucs G Elijah Klein – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Klein’s forte is run blocking, however he’s confirmed to be greater than satisfactory as a cross protector to this point. Opeta’s damage probably implies that Klein makes the 53-man roster as a reserve simply from a numbers standpoint.

So when you think about the truth that the Bucs have high quality starters like Goedeke, Mauch, Tristan Wirfs, Graham Barton, and a few skilled linemen like Bredeson and Robert Hainsey, together with Skule, Walton and Klein – that’s 9 linemen. Tampa Bay will maintain 9 or 10 offensive linemen, so there’s a probability that both Metz or Dzansi makes the 53-man roster.

Or maybe there’s a shock within the preseason and one of many rookies like guards Avery Jones or Xavier Delgado, or final 12 months’s observe squader Luke Haggard, winds up making the staff. It looks like the Bucs have extra high quality depth alongside the offensive line, however we’ll know extra about this unit as soon as the preseason commences.

FAB 5. Discovering Roles For Veterans Chase Edmonds And Sterling Shepard

Veteran working again Chase Edmonds has missed each coaching camp observe since struggling an undisclosed damage in the course of the first observe. Edmonds is 28 and has a popularity for being oft-injured. However he brings worth to the Bucs by being essentially the most skilled man within the working backs room.

Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

But is that sufficient to maintain him on the 53-man roster this 12 months, particularly since Tampa Bay drafted a promising, younger participant like Bucky Irving within the fourth spherical? Edmonds is probably going too outdated and damage liable to be counted on as a core particular groups participant. He was Rachaad White’s backup final 12 months, so he wasn’t too concerned in particular groups.

However third-string working backs usually should play on particular groups to be value holding round. Second-year participant Sean Tucker seems like he’s approaching in coaching camp as he’s had 4 consecutive days with spectacular runs. He might be thought-about the present chief for RB3 with rookies D.J. Williams and Ramon Jefferson additionally flashing at instances.

Edmonds’ penchant for getting injured, his age and his restricted potential to play on particular groups would possibly trigger the staff to maintain a youthful again on the roster if Tampa Bay decides to maintain 4 runners, which it could or could not do. If Edmonds’ expertise and willingness to assist the Bucs’ youthful backs is valued, he could also be introduced again to the observe squad in a mentor function.

The identical factor might occur to veteran Sterling Shepard, who was signed in the course of the obligatory mini-camp in June. The primary 4 receiver spots appear set with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, rookie Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer. Tampa Bay will maintain 5 and maybe six receivers this 12 months.

Rakim Jarrett and rookie sensation Kameron Johnson are vying for these spots with the 30-year outdated Shepard. Do the Bucs wish to maintain a veteran like Shepard, who will probably solely be round for this 12 months, on the 53-man roster? Or does the staff worth investing in a youthful, quicker and maybe an finally extra proficient receiver for the lengthy haul?

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

And at age 30, does Shepard wish to play on particular groups at this stage of his profession? Can he successfully run and canopy kicks and punts at his age?

Whoever fills out the depth chart on the WR5 and WR6 spots must be contributors on particular groups, in any other case that participant – or gamers if the staff retains six – will likely be inactive on recreation days. Proper now, Shepard is performing higher than Jarrett, and at instances higher than Palmer, who has struggled with drops, and Johnson, too.

However like Edmonds, if the Bucs worth his expertise greater than the rest, Shepard is perhaps finest served as a veteran insurance coverage coverage on the observe squad like former Tampa Bay broad receiver David Moore was final 12 months.

Keep in mind what Todd Bowles has mentioned. The staff will maintain the correct 53, not essentially the most effective 53. That would go away one – or each – of those growing older veterans off the 53-man roster come September.