Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2023 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Scott Reynolds continues the previews with the outside linebacker/defensive end position, and a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at edge rusher. Reynolds also provides a detailed list of this year’s top outside linebackers and offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely edge rusher for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Outside Linebacker

Bucs OLBs Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Saints QB Taysom Hill – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On paper, the Bucs have a pair of notable starting edge rushers in Shaquil Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. When both defenders are at their best, quarterbacks are in trouble. But both outside linebackers currently have question marks surrounding them heading into 2023. Barrett is 30 years old and missed half of last season after tearing his Achilles tendon. The team is concerned that Barrett, who turns 31 in November, might not be able to return to his Pro Bowl form. He’s on pace to be ready for the start of the season, but may miss training camp and the preseason.

Tryon-Shoyinka has not lived up to expectations after being the team’s first-round pick in 2021. Todd Bowles hopes a new position coach, George Edwards, can unlock Tryon-Shoyinka’s full potential. The athletic edge rusher gives great effort, but needs to be more physical and have a better rush plan. He’s still playing checkers instead of playing chess, especially on third downs, and misses more sacks than he makes.

Tampa Bay re-signed top reserve Anthony Nelson to a two-year contract. He’s a valuable rotational piece and spot starter when needed. Nelson led the Bucs outside linebackers with 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last year. The Bucs also re-signed Cam Gill and have last year’s practice squaders Hamilcar Rashed and Charles Snowden on the outside linebacker depth chart.

What The Bucs Need At Outside Linebacker

Bucs OLBs Anthony Nelson and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs are concerned that Barrett’s better days might be behind him, and have to plan for the worst. At $17 million per season, they can’t afford him in 2024 if he cannot bounce back from his torn Achilles and play at a Pro Bowl level. With Tryon-Shoyinka stalling out at four sacks in each of his two seasons in Tampa Bay, the Bucs will be looking for another quality pass rusher to safeguard themselves in case Barrett’s comeback fails and Tryon-Shoyinka continues to underachieve.

The Bucs have brought in five edge rushers for Top 30 visits in Georgia’s Nolan Smith, LSU’s B.J. Ojulari, Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness, Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV and Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The Bucs also had formal interviews with Anudike-Uzomah, McDonald, Auburn’s Derick Hall, Louisville’s YaYa Diaby and Missouri’s Isaiah McGuire at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Bucs seem poised to use a premium pick in the first, second or third round to draft another edge rusher.

Tampa Bay could also re-sign veteran Carl Nassib after the draft to bolster the team’s depth chart even more.

Top EDGE Rushers In 2023 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. – Junior – 6-3, 253 – 4.60

No other player has the bend that Anderson has, which helped him rack up 34.5 sacks in three years at Alabama, including 17.5 sacks in 2021 and 10 last year. The two-time All-American is an explosive edge rusher who is stronger than his 6-foot-3, 253-pound frame suggests. He’s been compared favorably to future Hall of Famer Von Miller and it’s easy to see why with his athleticism and toolsy skill set.

Anderson will likely be drafted in the Top 5, and could go No. 2 overall if Houston does not select a quarterback. He’s an immediate impact player who can instantly change a defense and vie for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. It would be a shock if Anderson does not develop into a perennial double-digit sacker at the next level.

2. Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson – Senior – 6-6, 271 – (N/A)

Wilson is a massive edge rusher who will likely be a fit in a 4-3 defense at the next level. He definitely passes the eyeball test from a physical standpoint. Wilson wins with power more than speed or finesse. He had back-to-back years with seven sacks apiece and finished his Red Raiders career with 17 sacks in four years.

Wilson may never threaten to become a double-digit sacker in the NFL, but he plays the run so well that he’s a very complete defensive end. He could use a nice counter move to help him as a pass rusher, and he only forced one fumble at Texas Tech. With his long arms and proper coaching, Wilson should be able to master the art of the sack-fumble at the next level. Wilson will likely be a Top 10 pick, and has a chance to go in the Top 5.

3. Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness – Redshirt Sophomore – 6-5, 272 – 4.58

Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness – Photo by: USA Today

Van Ness is an interesting draft prospect because he was never a starter at Iowa. But that’s only because the Hawkeyes staff favor seniority. Van Ness actually played more snaps at Iowa last year than either starting defensive end did. His stock is on the rise because he crushed the athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-foot-5, 272 pounds, blazing a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash.

Van Ness recorded just 13.5 sacks in two years at Iowa, but NFL teams see his upside. He’s a one-trick pony pass rusher right now, but has perfected the bull rush. He’s a strong, physical mauler, but needs more tools in his tool belt if he’s going to ever develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end or outside linebacker. Van Ness figures to be an early- to mid-first-round pick because of his physical profile and athleticism. The Bucs had Van Ness in for a pre-draft Top 30 visit.

4. Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith – Senior – 6-2, 238 – 4.39

Smith was part of an incredibly talented defense at Georgia, where the Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships. But with all of the talent in Athens, Smith didn’t receive a huge bulk of reps that other first-round-caliber edge rushers would typically get. That hurt his production, as he recorded just 11.5 sacks in four seasons at Georgia – although he missed the last seven games due to a torn pectoral muscle in 2022. Smith’s most productive season as a sacker was in 2021 with just 3.5 sacks, and that’s given some teams pause about selecting him high in the first round.

But Smith’s athleticism is undeniable. He blazed a 4.39 at the NFL Scouting Combine and lit it up in other athletic testing (41.5 vertical). Yet for all of his athletic ability, where was his production to match it? Smith is a high character leader with a great football I.Q. and is very strong despite his smallish frame (6-2, 238). He has enough talent and promise to be a Top 20 pick, and the Bucs did have him in for a Top 30 visit.

5. Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV – Senior – 6-3, 239 – 4.69

Iowa State OLB Will McDonald IV – Photo by: USA Today

McDonald is the opposite of Georgia’s Nolan Smith. Despite being similar in size, McDonald was a big-time producer at Iowa State, where he notched 34 career sacks in five years, including 10.5 in 2020 and 11.5 sacks in 2021. McDonald’s production fell off last year (five sacks) due to constant double teams and less talent around him in Ames. He’s one of the more gifted pass rushers in this year’s draft class, using his long arms (34.5 inches) to reach around tackles to get to the quarterback.

McDonald was also adept at forcing fumbles with 10 in his Cyclones career. The three-time first-team All-Big XII defender comes with a great rush plan and has good instincts and a high football I.Q. He’s a very mature player who will turn 24 this summer. The Bucs had McDonald in for a Top 30 pre-draft visit and he could be a surprise first-round pick for Tampa Bay. McDonald, who is best cast as a 3-4 outside linebacker, likely won’t get out of the first round.

6. Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy – Junior – 6-5, 268 – 4.53

Murphy is a very athletic and talented edge rusher, playing in Clemson’s 4-3 scheme as a defensive end. But he hasn’t put it all together consistently for stretches in his career. He’s notched 17.5 sacks in three years for the Tigers, with his most productive season coming in 2021 with seven quarterback captures. Murphy does have a knack for forcing fumbles, evidenced by six in his collegiate career.

While Murphy is a good athlete, he has tight hips and that causes him to get too far up the field and past the quarterback at times. He also lacks a wide array of pass rush moves, and either tries to use a bull rush too often or just win with athleticism and speed rather than technique. Murphy has the skill set and size to go in the first or second round, but might be viewed as a boom-or-bust player at the next level.

7. LSU EDGE B.J. Ojulari – Junior – 6-2, 248 – (N/A)

Ojulari, whose brother Azeez Ojulari is a pass rusher for the New York Giants, is a skilled pass rusher with multiple ways to get to the quarterback. He has long, strong arms and plays with physicality against the run and the pass. His career sack production was a bit modest with 16.5 sacks in three years, including just 5.5 last year, but he’s battle-tested from having played in the rugged SEC.

The Bucs are fond of LSU players and drafted Ojulari’s former teammate, defensive end Andre Anthony, last year in the seventh round. Ojulari has the size and athleticism to be an effective 3-4 outside linebacker in Tampa Bay. The Bucs brought him in for a Top 30 pre-draft visit and he figures to be a second-round pick.

8. Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Junior – 6-3, 255 – (N/A)

Kansas State OLB Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Photo by: USA Today

Anudike-Uzomah was a very productive edge rusher for K-State, where he was named the Big XII Defensive Player of the Year after notching 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior. He was even more productive as a sophomore with 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. Anudike-Uzomah can get sacks in bunches and he has a very advanced rush plan.

The Bucs have shown a good deal of interest in the Wildcats’ leading sacker, who has tremendous bend around the arc and the ability to dip-and-rip. Anudike-Uzomah was one of the Bucs’ Top 30 visitors and would be a great scheme fit as an outside linebacker in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense. Anudike-Uzomah was actually a 3-4 down lineman most of the time at K-State and would thrive solely as an edge rusher at the next level. He’s viewed as a late second-round pick.

9. Auburn EDGE Derick Hall – Senior – 6-3, 254 – 4.55

Hall is a well-built, muscular edge rusher who played as a 4-3 defensive end for Auburn. Hall is a strong, physical pass rusher, who recorded 19.5 sacks for the Tigers, including a career-high nine in 2021 and seven last year. While he’s got blazing speed and a good get-off, Hall is tight-hipped and struggles to redirect to the quarterback if he goes too far up the arc. The first-team All-SEC pass rusher was a team captain last year and has good leadership qualities.

The Bucs had a formal interview with Hall at the NFL Scouting Combine and he could be an option late in the second round. Tampa Bay loves Auburn defenders, having drafted linebacker K.J. Britt and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean in recent years.

10. Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White – Senior – 6-5, 285 – 4.76

White has gotten some first-round hype because of his mix of size and athleticism. But the tape tells another story. After starting his career at Old Dominion as a tight end, he transitioned to defensive end in a 4-3 scheme where he produced just 11 sacks in two seasons, including 7.5 sacks last year at Georgia Tech. The fact that he’s not a huge producer and will turn 24 on draft weekend is not an ideal combination.

White got an invitation to attend the NFL Draft in the green room, which is typically extended to first-round prospects. But he might be sorely disappointed as he seems destined to be a Day 2 pass rusher instead, and only as a 4-3 edge rusher. White could get drafted in the second round or fall to the third round.

Best Of The Rest

11. Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey – Senior – 6-5, 264 – 4.58

Foskey is an interesting prospect because he has great size and speed (4.58), but is stiff in the hips and with his change of direction. He had an uneven performance at the Senior Bowl, which didn’t help his draft stock. Foskey was a big sack producer for the Fighting Irish, recording 26.5 sacks, including back-to-back seasons with 11 sacks. The Notre Dame first-team All-American also is adept at forcing fumbles with seven in his career, including six in 2021. Foskey seems destined to be a Day 2 pick.

12. Louisville EDGE YaYa Diaby – Senior – 6-3, 263 – 4.51

Louisville DL YaYa Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

Diaby helped his stock at the Senior Bowl, where he actually worked inside as an interior defensive lineman, showcasing his strength and ability to anchor against the run. But he projects as an edge rusher with the size to be a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Louisville star turned in a stunning time at the Combine, which further upped his stock. Diaby is a late bloomer with nine of his 10.5 sacks coming during his senior season. Diaby has a chance to be drafted in third round if teams are looking for a project, otherwise he’s an early Day 3 pick. He had a formal interview with the Bucs in Indy.

13. Missouri EDGE Isaiah McGuire – Senior – 6-3, 268 – 4.76

McGuire is a big, powerful edge rusher, playing defensive end in Missouri’s 4-3 defense. But he could be a scheme fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, which is why Tampa Bay had a formal interview with him at the Combine. McGuire has a workmanlike approach to rushing the passer and does a great job of setting the edge in the run game. He recorded 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles at Missouri, including six in 2021 and a career-high 7.5 last year. McGuire is an early Day 3 talent.

14. USC EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – Junior – 6-3, 266 – (N/A)

Tuipolotu had a breakout junior season with 13.5 sacks, which led to first-team All-American and PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He’s a relentless pass rusher with enough tools to be an effective situational rusher at the next level and possibly developing into an eventual starter. He needs to work on his tackling and will let some sacks slip out of his grasp. Tuipulotu is not a finished product, but has an intriguing upside to be an early Day 3 selection.

15. Ohio State EDGE Zach Harrison – Senior – 6-5, 274 – (N/A)

Harrison is an athletic freak with a great, muscular frame. But his production never matched his athleticism and he underwhelmed for the Buckeyes as a result. Ohio State rotating its defensive linemen with great frequency likely stunted his growth a bit, too. Harrison only produced 13 sacks in four seasons of play with a career-high of four sacks in 2021. Harrison also forced five fumbles and batted down 11 balls at the line of scrimmage, which showed good awareness. He’s an early Day 3 pick due to his freaky tools and promise.

16. Tennessee EDGE Byron Young – Senior – 6-2, 250 – 4.40

Young is an emerging, undersized pass rusher who possesses good athleticism, high energy and very good speed (4.4). After not playing football in 2017-18 and then toiling at Georgia Military College for two seasons, Young finally made his way to Tennessee, where he was a two-year starter. He recorded 12.5 sacks in two years, including seven last year. Young is already 25 years old, which could give some teams some pause, but he is worthy of an early Day 3 selection.

17. Appalachian State EDGE Nick Hampton – Senior – 6-2, 236 – 4.58

Hampton is a very undersized edge rusher that looks more like a better fit at inside linebacker than at outside linebacker. He’s probably only a scheme fit on the outside in a 3-4 scheme as he doesn’t have the size to set the edge in a 4-3 defense. Hampton was a big-time producer for Appalachian State, recording 26.5 sacks, including 11 in 2021 and seven last year. He’s also forced six fumbles, but most of that production came against lesser competition. Hampton will be a situational reserve rusher at the next level and a mid-Day 3 selection.

18. TCU EDGE Dylan Horton – Senior – 6-4, 257 – 4.73

Horton does a great job playing the run and setting the edge. He’s an above-average athlete and finally developed into a pass rusher as a fifth-year season with 10 of his 17.5 career sacks. Horton notched four sacks against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs. Even though he’s a fifth-year season he’s only 22, so he has some upside as a scheme-diverse edge rusher. Horton should be a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

19. Tyrus Wheat EDGE Mississippi State – Senior – 6-2, 263 – 4.63

Wheat projects to be a stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level but proved to be scheme diverse at Mississippi State. He has short arms, which doesn’t help his cause as a pass rusher. But he’s quick and aggressive and produced 18.5 sacks in three seasons for the Bulldogs along with three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Wheat was a steady producer with no fewer than five sacks in a season (2020), but no more than 7.5 (2021). Wheat seems destined for the fourth or fifth round.

20. Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry – Senior – 6-4, 251 – 4.63

Henry is a 24-year old fifth-year senior who has a good frame and adequate speed, but has never put it all together at Clemson. He wins mostly with hustle as opposed to a well-developed rush plan. Henry notched just 11.5 sacks in five years as a part-time starter with a career-high 4.5 in 2021. The big Tigers defensive end has a great motor and will be a nice developmental pass rusher and special teams contributor as a rookie. Henry will be drafted early on Day 3.

21. Oregon EDGE DJ Johnson – Senior – 6-4, 260 – 4.49

Johnson looks the part with long arms and ideal size to play as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker, and his 4.49 speed in the 40-yard dash was eye-opening. But he’ll be 25 as a rookie and was a late bloomer at Oregon where he only notched nine career sacks, including six in 2022. Johnson is physical, high-energy edge rusher, but the lack of instincts and a rush plan is concerning despite playing six years in college. Johnson has some upside and will be a Day 3 pick.

22. Central Michigan EDGE Thomas Incoom – Senior – 6-2, 266 – 4.66

Central Michigan edge rusher Thomas Incoom, Ohio St OT Dawand Jones – Photo by: USA Today

The 24-year old Incoom helped his stock at the Senior Bowl, where he held his own and showed he could play inside as well as on the edge. He projects as a 4-3 defensive end because of his size, but he is quick enough off the edge to be a 3-4 outside linebacker for some teams. Incoom had 28.5 sacks in college with 13 at Valdosta State and 15.5 sacks at Central Michigan, including 11.5 in a breakthrough senior season. He’s a solid Day 3 selection, likely in the fifth round.

23. Michigan EDGE Mike Morris – Junior – 6-5, 275 – 4.95

Morris is a big, long, physical 4-3 defensive end who was a one-year wonder at Michigan. He produced 7.5 of his eight sacks last year and isn’t too scheme versatile. He doesn’t have the speed or quickness to be anything other than a power edge rusher in a 4-3 at the next level. Or if he can add 15 pounds he could move inside as a 3-4 defensive end playing a 4i technique. Morris is only 22, so he has room to grow his game, but he’s a developmental mid-Day 3 pick right now.

24. Auburn EDGE Eku Leota – Senior – 6-3, 252 – (N/A)

Leota played opposite Derick Hall at Auburn, where he recorded 15.5 sacks, including seven in 2021. He missed the final seven games of the 2022 season due to a torn pectoral, but had two sack in the first five games of his senior season. Leota wins with his high-motor and hustle and was a favorite of the coaching staff due to his effort. He has enough developmental tools to be a quality rotational edge rusher at the next level, likely as a 3-4 outside linebacker selection on Day 3.

Bucs’ Best Bets: EDGE

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah

The Bucs would somehow love to come away with Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, but he won’t get out of the first round. Tampa Bay might have to use its first-round pick on an offensive tackle because the talent and depth at that position falls off quickly. Meanwhile, this is a deep class of edge rushers and the Bucs could come away with one in the second round at pick No. 50. Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah might still be on the board, although Auburn’s Derick Hall would also be considered if he’s available.

Anudike-Uzomah is a tough, relentless pass rusher with 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles over the past two seasons for the Wildcats. He was the Big XII Defensive Player of the Year and led K-State to a conference title over previously unbeaten TCU. Anudike-Uzomah is a high-motor, high-character defender with the ability to bend and win with an array of pass rush moves to get to the quarterback. It’s no surprise that head coach Todd Bowles was at the K-State pro day – likely watching Anudike-Uzomah do his thing.

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Louisville EDGE YaYa Diaby

The Bucs want to get faster on defense, and Louisville’s YaYa Diaby is one of the fastest and most athletic outside linebackers in this year’s draft. Diaby blazed a 4.51 (1.51 10-yard split) at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-foot-3, 263 pounds. The muscular Cardinals defender has strong hands and long arms that helped him rack up a career-high nine sacks last year. Diaby can win with power on bull rushes or with speed around the edge. After a breakthrough year in Louisville, his best football is ahead of him. Diaby is a late bloomer, and will turn 24 after the draft.

The Bucs studied Diaby at the Senior Bowl and formally interviewed him at the Combine. He’s not ready to start right away in the NFL, but could be a situational pass rusher as he develops during his rookie season, in addition to being a quality contributor on special teams. If the Bucs don’t go with Diaby, Missouri’s Isaiah McGuire is another Day 3 option for Tampa Bay. The team also interviewed him formally in Indianapolis.