While the Bucs’ pass rush still provided plenty of sacks in 2022 (45), much of that production came from non-traditional sources. Only 38% of the team’s sacks came from their outside linebacker room. By comparison, in 2021 the outside linebackers generated almost half of the team’s 47 sacks. Rookie YaYa Diaby should be able to help out with that.

With Shaq Barrett coming off of a serious Achilles injury and questions surrounding Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s lack of production increase over the past two years, the team decided to bolster the outside linebackers room through the 2023 NFL Draft with Diaby, a third-round pass rusher from Louisville, and Jose Ramirez from Eastern Michigan in the sixth round. While Ramirez has a chance to make the team, Diaby has a greater chance to make an impact.

YaYa Diaby’s Scouting Report

YaYa Diaby has a profile that includes an enviable blend of athleticism and production. This has led many to be very excited about the prospects of Diaby’s future. Diaby appeared in 33 games over his three years at Louisville. While he did not produce much in his first two seasons, Diaby broke out in 2022 with 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He tied Florida State’s Jared Verse for second in the ACC in sacks.

While Diaby’s 6-foot-3 frame is slightly below average for his position, his 33.875-inch arms are solidly above the norm for his position. And Diaby uses that length to his advantage. Diaby combines that length with impressive explosiveness and speed. His vertical and broad jump scores were in the 73rd and 86th percentiles respectively. And Diaby’s 40-yard dash and 10-yard split times were both above the 90th percentiles. It all adds up to an impressive MockDraftable spider graph and Relative Athletic Score.

YaYa Diaby went #RAS so far.

*Splits projected pic.twitter.com/PYY8WjIQcJ

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2023

The one area that Diaby’s tape is a bit lacking is in his lateral mobility. And that is backed up by the fact that he opted out of agility testing in his pre-draft process. But just because Diaby isn’t perfect doesn’t mean he cannot be a strong contributor to the Bucs’ pass rush. Far from it. Diaby brings a play-style that was lacking from the Bucs outside linebacker room last year. And one that can help the entire defensive line thrive in 2023.

YaYa Diaby Is A Power Rusher

Where Shaq Barrett predicates his game on his initial quickness and first step, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s game is dependent upon his ability to win at the top of the arc, Diaby’s skill set starts with his power profile. Watch as Diaby (No. 6) takes the center for a ride right into the quarterback’s lap on the following clip.

You can see him use both his considerable strength and his quickness (which he converts to power) to overwhelm the center and drive him back with ease.

What’s really exciting about Diaby’s power profile is the different ways he can deploy it. On the last clip it was primarily using the aforementioned speed and pure brute strength. Contrast that with this next one where he uses his arm length and leverage to win with power from the edge (right side versus left tackle).

Unlike Tryon-Shoyinka, or even Barrett, Diaby isn’t looking to get around the tackle. He much prefers to move through his opponent. And you can see that in the last clip as he accesses the left tackle’s chest and drives through him with a strong leg drive. Once he forces the quarterback to move off of his spot, Diaby slides by the tackle to pursue.

Length And Leverage

I have mentioned Diaby’s length and long arms a couple of times now. And they bear repeating because he uses them well functionally. It may be the most refined part of his game.

Watch the finish of the play. Diaby almost gets the quarterback in his grasp despite the left tackle still being in-between the two of them!

YaYa Diaby’s Inside Counter

Diaby works off of his power by utilizing an inside counter when opposing offensive linemen present the opportunity.

In the above clip Diaby is able to get the right tackle to overset. From there he finds a soft angle on the tackle’s inside shoulder and throws him to the outside.

Diaby’s Outlook for 2023

Louisville DL YaYa Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

Diaby can make an immediate positive impact on the Bucs 2023 defense. With Tryon-Shoyinka and Barrett entrenched in the starting outside linebacker roles as long as Barrett is healthy, Tampa Bay head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles will be able to deploy Diaby in advantageous positions that will leverage his specific skillset.

He will be used on obvious passing downs against light-anchored tackles or interior offensive linemen who struggle with speed. Diaby can provide strong run defense against run-first teams like Atlanta and played some interior defensive line both at Louisville and the Senior Bowl.

And most importantly he provides a strong depth option in the event either Tryon-Shoyinka or Barrett is out for any reason. Diaby might even surpass Anthony Nelson on the depth chart for the No. 3 edge rusher with a strong training camp and preseason.