The Bucs have started to do their due diligence in evaluating this year’s draft class. According to Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report and The Draft Network the team has already met with Florida State defensive tackle and Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

Florida State IDL Braden Fiske met formally with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source said.

One of the premier interior rushers in the class, Fiske has also spent time with the Colts and Ravens.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 28, 2024

Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland has had formal meetings with the Panthers, Ravens, Buccaneers, Lions and Falcons in Indy, a source said.

Physical presence off the edge that was excellent at the Senior Bowl.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 27, 2024

Both players were less-heralded invitees to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile Alabama earlier this month, but both had very good weeks.

Bucs GM Jason Licht Highlights DL As Draft Strength

Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

During his media availability yesterday Bucs general manager Jason Licht mentioned defensive line as one of the deeper position groups in the 2024 NFL Draft.

When asked about the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s class Licht said: ““Offensive tackle, offensive line, there’s a lot of interesting players. The receiver group is very good throughout.

“You’ve got some defensive linemen, maybe not strong, strong in terms of numbers at the top, but throughout once again. I don’t like to talk about weaknesses in a draft because you can always find some sleepers.”

Defensive tackles, edge rushers and linebackers are set to meet with the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Fiske And Kneeland Could Help Bucs Pass Rush

FSU Defensive Tackle Braden Fiske

Braden Fiske is a gap-shooting 295-pound defensive tackle with short arms and an explosive first step. He is twitched up with quick movements off the line. This is by far his best trait, and he tries to exploit it by beating opposing offensive linemen off the snap and converting that quickness into power to drive through and past them.  He combines that burst with quick, violent hands that help him create angles and paths to the backfield.

Fiske is a bit undersized and lacks the play strength and anchor to be a run-defending force who can hold up at the point of attack or against double teams. But the Bucs had great success with another small, gap-shooting interior defender last year in first-round pick Calijah Kancey.

Fiske had 43 tackles, nine for loss, with six sacks in 2023 for Florida State.

Here’s closest thing you’ll get to feeling what it’s like trying to block Florida State’s Braden Fiske.

Twitchy. Active hands. Relentless.

𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑭𝑼𝑵!#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/KAxxSL1qDt

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 27, 2024

Western Michigan Defensive End Marshawn Kneeland

Marshawn Kneeland is a large, physical edge rusher who stands 6’3 and 268 pounds. He flashed at the Senior Bowl by combining a rare blend of strength, power, speed and bend. Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network has a great evaluation of him here.

Some of the highlights he mentions in his writeup of Kneeland: explosiveness, leverage, length, power and flexibility. Kneeland had the fastest top speed of any defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl and as I watched him there, I was impressed by his motor and pass rush plan/arsenal.

Across four seasons at Western Michigan Kneeland recorded 81 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

You can really see the short area explosiveness and closing speed pop for #WMU EDGE Marshawn Kneeland on the backside of run plays. Speed to power savant as a pass rusher but I love his effort as a run defender.

Still growing as a player but I would bet on his length/traits. pic.twitter.com/id8kcFFU93

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 16, 2024

Bucs HC Todd Bowles Wants More From Pass Rush

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

Defensive line is a priority for the Bucs as head coach Todd Bowles spoke about the need to improve the team’s four-man pass rush from 2023.

“I was frustrated with the four-man pressure,” Bowles said. “The pressure that we give when we go five or more is outstanding. Now we missed some [sacks] where we fell off of [the quarterback]. But the four-man pressure at times was a little stale and they had too much time to throw the football.”

Both Kneeland and Fiske have traits that could help the Bucs get more out of their four-man pass rush. And with the possible departures of Greg Gaines and Will Gholston and the recent release of Shaq Barrett, there will be roster spots for these two players to potentially secure if the Bucs draft them.