Florida State Defensive End Visits Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

Edge rusher is a need, and the Bucs could look in state to fill that need.

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) reacts | Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did well to draft Yaya Diaby in the 2023 NFL Draft, as the rookie out of Louisville netted 7.5 sacks last year. He's going into his second year now, though, and he'll need another edge rusher opposite him to really wreak havoc on NFL offenses.

As such, the Bucs will be in the market for another edge rusher during the 2024 NFL Draft, and they brought one to Tampa Bay for a Top 30 visit. NFL reporter Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday that Florida State Seminoles edge rusher Jared Verse visited the Bucs during his series of Top 30 visits.

#FloridaState edge Jared Verse is visiting the #Seahawks tonight and tomorrow, sources say. The projected mid-first round pick has visited the #Buccaneers and will visit the #Broncos as well. pic.twitter.com/CHCAleyXPZ

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 9, 2024

Verse is certainly a force to be reckoned with. He's had 18 sacks in two years with the Seminoles after transferring there from Albany, and he netted 41 total tackles and two passes defended. He's one of the top edge rushing prospects in the draft alongside UCLA's Laiatu Latu and Alabama's Dallas Turner, but as with both of those prospects, the question is simple — will he be available at No. 26?

While some believe that Laiatu is the premier pass rusher in the class, they also believe he could slip on draft night due to an injury history. Verse and Turner do not have such concerns, so quite a few pundits and mock draft enthusiasts have him being taken as one of the first edge rushers off the board. As such, it's somewhat unlikely that he'll be there on draft night, but if he is (or the Bucs trade up), Tampa Bay may be prepared to take him having met him in person.

The Bucs will (probably) make their first round selection on April 25 in Detroit on the first night of the NFL Draft.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.

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