Better pure pass rushers are key to an evolution in Todd Bowles’ defense. He has spoken openly about the need for the Bucs to win with four, so he isn’t forced to blitz as often. Schematically, Bowles and the Bucs are at the forefront of some of the league’s most successful trends. The Bucs blitzed on first down 36.6% of the time according to NFL Pro. That was third in the league behind the super-defenses deployed by Minnesota and Denver. Tampa Bay held opposing offenses to -0.05 EPA/play on first down showing a generally successful strategy.

But where the team trailed better defenses was how they treated 3rd down. No team blitzed more than the Bucs’ 48.0% rate on the money down. The Vikings, for all the inked spilled on their kamikaze ways, pulled back on extra rushers late in series, ranking just 15th in the league at 29.8%.

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Broncos almost fully inverted their tendencies, falling to 26th in blitz rate at 24.1%. Meanwhile, the Bucs went from throwing everything including the kitchen sink on early downs to including the washer, the water heater and a spare garden hose they found lying around on third down.

Part of this was due to the team just not having enough talent up front to win consistently when rushing just four. The Bucs ranked 19th in the NFL in pressure rate and 22nd in sack rate when rushing four or less.

One of the most critical factors in the team having greater defensive success in 2025 is hinged on winning with four more often. This will reduce the need to deploy additional assets towards the quarterback on 3rd down and reduce coverage responsibilities for everyone in the back seven.

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Chris Braswell’s Late Season Development Could Point To Hope For Bucs’ Pass Rush

The team has brought in veteran and rookie pass rushers alike. They also are very high on three of their carry-over starters from 2024. Yaya Diaby took a big step forward in 2024 as a pass rusher. He came out of the gates strong as a bull rusher finding room inside before becoming a more consistent high-side winner late in the season. Add his talents to the quick-twitched, gap shooting Calijah Kancey and the He-Man pocket pushing of Vita Vea and there is the basis of a successful pass rush present. But the team’s second team pass rush is still mile from the effective wave strategy of the Eagles. Enter Chris Braswell.

Braswell came on strong late in the season, recording an 18% pass rush win rate from week 14 on despite getting inconsistent playing time.

Bucs leadership has maintained they are excited for a year 2 breakout from Chris Braswell. Some evidence to support that. 18% pressure rate and 18% stop rate from week 14 – Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/CoL90HQNhx

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) May 8, 2025

Team leadership has routinely praised him throughout the offseason and left a clear path for him to be successful in 2025 and beyond. Further evidence that he was a raw prospect that just needed time to learn the speed and nuance of the NFL game can be seen in his play speed improving throughout the year.

Chris Braswell’s Rolling 3-gm average get-off

That right tail…👀 pic.twitter.com/irEeU2A60w

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) May 22, 2025

He finished the season with a three-game average get off of 0.80 seconds. That matches some of the fastest, and most productive edge rushers in the NFL. That improvement in play speed had a direct correlation with his improvement in generating pressures and sacks.

Chris Braswell’s Tool Bag

Braswell predicates most of his game on winning with speed to power and using half-man technique as a bull rusher. When he gained leverage in pad level he can really put tackles on skates.

pic.twitter.com/wESy5Z03c1

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) May 22, 2025

After he caught up to the speed of play of the NFL he could win around the arc with speed and showed flashes of bend. His most unique changeup was a Houston Hop he flashed twice during the season.

Chris Braswell (#43) attempting the “Houston Hop” (after James Houston of the Lions) against Fred Johnson in week four. https://t.co/tLfN67hiTo

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 12, 2024

What Braswell will need to add to his repertoire in 2025 to take a leap is a better inside counter. Whether it be a spin, face-cross or some type of inside arm-over, he needs to include an inside threat that tackles have to factor in or else he is going to have to contend with quick vertical sets that will put more strain on his outside attacks.

As a crasher/stunter he sells out fully, denting the pocket with strength and power to free up loopers. He also has above average spacial skills to help set and win the edge as a run/flat defender. But he was often caught blindsided by crack blocks showing a need to develop on the mental side of the game to anticipate and work off of those techniques.

He ran down Brock Bowers on an end around earlier in this game. pic.twitter.com/11BtFNSlM3

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) May 22, 2025

Braswell’s hand usage improved throughout last year. By the final quarter of the season, he was regularly initiating hand-fights as well as single and double hand swipes to keep tackles off his frame and helping him corner. Those traits can all be a part of an effective pass rusher who can quickly become one of the best third edge’s in the league in 2025 while also putting him in position to move into the starting lineup in 2026.