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About the Author: Joshua Queipo

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Josh Queipo joined the Pewter Report team in 2022, specializing in salary cap analysis and film study. In addition to his official role with the website and podcast, he has an unofficial role as the Pewter Report team’s beaming light of positivity and jokes. A staunch proponent of the forward pass, he is a father to two amazing children and loves sushi, brisket, steak and bacon, though the order changes depending on the day. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 2008 with a degree in finance.
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Following a year where Bucs outside linebackers combined to record just 17 sacks and 104 pressures, the team invested heavily in the position in the 2023 NFL Draft. Between YaYa Diaby and Jose Ramirez, a full quarter of the Bucs draft picks in the draft were dedicated to the position. I profiled what Diaby brings to the Bucs pass rush previously. Namely his power element is a welcome addition to the Bucs edge rushers. With Ramirez the Bucs also added someone with an advanced feel for how to rush the passer, showcasing several different moves.

Ramirez’s College Profile Enticed The Bucs

Over three years at Eastern Michigan, Ramirez recorded 99 pressures and 20.5 sacks over 1,420 snaps and 782 pass rush reps. His 12.7% pressure rate is fairly modest, but the progression over his career is what should be noted. That rate increased from 10.4% in 2020 to 11.2% in 2021 before finishing up with a 14.9% rate in 2022. He was able to register those pressures by combining an arsenal of pass rush moves that left opposing tackles in a blender. Case in point:

Being able to successfully use one or two of those moves would make for a solid repertoire. But to be able to use all of these at a high level is something else. Ramirez’s pash rush prowess showed in his 91.6 and 90.5 Pro Football Focus pass rush grades over his final two seasons in college.

Ramirez At The East West Shrine Game

Following the 2023 season Ramirez garnered an invite to the East West Shrine Bowl. There he continued to show off his impressive talents. Ramirez was a standout throughout the week as he consistently won in both team drills as well as one-on-ones. Ramirez was highlighted by several media outlets in attendance including Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Network.

Those traits were on display throughout the week of practice.

Ramirez capped off the week with a dominant performance in the showcase game, notching four pressures, three hurries and a sack in just 11 pass rushing reps. This earned him a 91.3 PFF grade with a 93.1 pass rush grade.

What The Bucs Saw From Ramirez At The NFL Combine

Ramirez’s path to the pros continued a few weeks later at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. There Ramirez showed athletic testing that matched the traits he so often showed on the field. Ramirez registered high marks in the speed, explosive and agility drills.

Among his position group, Ramirez had the quickest 3-cone and short shuttle, 12th fastest 10-yard split and 9th highest vertical jump. Ramirez tested well in every facet of testing he could have.

Ramirez’s Two Biggest Drawbacks

With his elite pass rush arsenal, impressive testing, and on-field production you may be thinking it is a wonder how he lasted all the way to the late 6th round. There are two major red flags that allowed the Bucs to pick him up late on day three of the draft. First off, at under 6’2 and 250 pounds, Ramirez is a size outlier for his position. Both measurements are in the 5th percentile among all edge rushers per mockdraftable.com. 

The second question mark that NFL teams had to ask was regarding the level of competition Ramirez faced in the Mid-American Conference. On a weekly basis Ramirez was up against competition that included the likes of Kent State, Eastern Kentucky and Central Michigan. In 2021 he almost faced current Bucs offensive lineman Luke Goedeke but Goedeke missed the game.

What A Successful Season For Ramirez Will Look Like

Given his lack of size and high level of competition, Ramirez will most likely not be trusted to play on early downs for the Bucs. At this point in his career he lacks the arm length and physicality to set the edge as a run defender. With Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson and YaYa Diaby all likely locks for the final 53-man roster Ramirez will be battling just to make the active roster. If he does earn a spot and cap on game days. Assuming he can earn a cap Ramirez is best suited to play on long and late downs where he can pin his ears back and get after the quarterback.

The most likely outcome in 2023 for Ramirez is that Bucs fans won’t see him much as he develops an NFL frame and strength, with the team eyeing him to be a contributor in 2024 and beyond.

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