Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Outlook: Outside Linebacker Position
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shift their focus to the offseason, there are question marks at every position on the roster. In this series, we’ll look at each position grouping and see what the Bucs have on the roster who is an impending free agent, and the outlook for the 2024 season.
On The Roster
Shaq Barrett
Barrett worked his tail off to get back on the field for the start of training camp after tearing his Achilles last year and dealing with an offseason tragedy. While he remains one of the best edge rushers at setting the edge against the run, his production no longer matches his contract. He finished with 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a pick-six, and 19 pressures but hasn't notched double-digit sacks since 2021.
The Bucs can save about $17 million in cash this season if they release him but he will have a $29 million negative impact against the cap. If they post-June 1 Barrett, which they are likely to do, they will gain some financial flexibility by spreading the cap hit out between 2024 and 2025. Doing so will open up $5 million in cap space after June 1st. The Bucs will face a large cap hit in 2025 regardless and Barrett has likely played his last snap in Tampa.
Yaya Diaby
The Bucs' third-round draft pick had a heck of a rookie season. He started the year as a rotational player but quickly overtook Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as the starter in Week 10. He finished the year with the most sacks of any rookie outside linebacker with 7.5 and led all rookies with tackles for loss with 12. He is the projected starter for next season and will look to improve on his rookie campaign with a full offseason under his belt.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
The former first-rounder hasn't quite met expectations since entering the league. His first year was up and down with him playing out of position with Jason Piere-Paul on the roster. In comparison, his second and third seasons were marred with streaky production and an inability to finish. He has racked up pressures but a failure to produce sacks saw him benched for Diaby in Week 10. He will likely have his fifth-year option declined but is expected to have a rotational role next season.
Anthony Nelson
Nelson is the "steady Eddy" in the outside linebacker room. A key part of the rotation, Nelson is adept in rushing the passer and setting the edge, as well as dropping into coverage. He had 40 tackles and 3 sacks last season and is entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed last offseason.
Markees Watts
Watts saw the field sparingly but when he did he was impressive as a pass rusher. He played only 45 total snaps, 27 of those pass rush snaps. He finished the season with seven pressures, one sack, one hurry, and four hits. he figures to be in the mix next season for a roster spot and a potential increase in playing time.
Jose Ramirez
Ramirez was released during roster cuts and spent the year on the Buccaneers practice squad. He was elevated for the team's playoff game against the Eagles as a reward for his contributions on the practice squad and scout team and the front office is high on his development. He will compete for a spot on the active roster next season.
Impending Free Agents
Cam Gill
Gill has been with the Bucs since the 2020 season after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent. He's been primarily a special teams player but has logged snaps on defense. He saw the field this season for 62 defensive snaps and logged 12 tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack. The Bucs could bring him back on a minimum deal to battle for a spot in camp but could also turn to younger prospects on the roster or any rookies brought in.
2024 Outlook
Diaby is expected to be one starter for the Bucs next year but with Barrett likely to be released they will need to find a starter opposite him. With the unexpected increase in cap space it's possible the team could afford to bring a more distinguished pass rusher instead of settling for a mid-tier free agent. They could also look to the draft to being in youth to the room and have a competition for the other starting spot.
The Bucs have good depth in the room but desperately need a true number one edge rusher at outside linebacker and it should be a top priority for the team after re-signing their own free agents.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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