With the drafting of Calijah Kancey, I think Logan Hall, last year's top pick, replaces Will Gholston as a 4i DE in Todd Bowles' 3-4 base scheme. Hall, who was once thought of as a 3-tech DT, is built like Gholston at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds. If Hall can get up to 300 this offseason, which is doable, he'll be an upgrade as a pass rusher over Gholston.
Remember, Gholston had a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2021, but none last year. He’s never been anything more than an average pass rusher at best. Gholston's role on this team has always been stopping the run. That's where he brought value. If Hall can learn to stop the run as well as Gholston, his upside as a pass rusher there brings even more value.
Last year, Akiem Hicks played a lot of A gap/nose while Vita Vea actually played more B gap/3-tech. That's a big reason why Vea led the team in sacks with 6.5 - he saw more 1-on-1s with guards than he ever has before. But Vea is not a natural pass rusher with an arsenal of moves. So he'll go back to nose/A-gap this year where he was a Pro Bowler in 2021 with four sacks. Hicks only had one sack last year, which was disappointing, and that actually came as an edge rusher running a stunt vs. Atlanta in Week 18.
Kancey will get plugged in as a B-gap/3-tech, replacing Vea, and his quickness and natural pass rush ability should allow him to produce more sacks and pressures in time than Vea ever could.
So instead of getting 0-1-6.5 sacks last year from Gholston, Hicks and Vea, the Bucs could theoretically and realistically get 5-5-5 sacks from Hall, Vea and Kancey and double their sack production along the interior.
The idea of Vea/Kancey rushing next together is very enticing. Seeing you can't double team both - gives the rook a good opportunity to break out.
don't forget Gaines! (above 700 defensive snaps last year, same in 2021)
should be a fun rotation for Bowles!
I think Bowles would like to have the same advantage the Eagles enjoyed last year (albeit in a different scheme), where quality depth makes the whole of the D line rotation greater than the sum of its parts.
The bucs still need more off the edge than JTS and post-achilles shaq seem likely to give them, though...affecting the passer is a secondary priority of a Todd Bowles d-line, that's more of a job for the guys standing up
I have a feeling the Bucs are not done adding to their front seven rushers.
Bucs drafted YaYa Diaby in the 3rd. I see a theme happening as the Bucs are determined to generate more pressure and turnovers on defense.
Scott I think this will be more of a true switch to a version of Wade Phillips' one gap attaching 3-4 scheme; as you pointed with Calijah Kancey, being a true 3-tech and Vita Vea playing a little out of position last year, yet still being able to capitalize on his opportunities to rush the passer. With both Licht and Bowels expecting Logan Hall to take a huge jump this off-season. Adding Diaby in the third round who can also slide inside on long passing downs gives the Bucs an added dimension in the form of a "Nascar" Nickle rush package of Shaq Barrett, Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby, Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The added flexibility an maturation of Bowels scheme to adapt to the ever evolving quick spread game of the NFL; with its more mobile QBs - gives the Bucs defense additional ammo in their arsenal to get after teams.
Seems like the 33rd overall pick is a little rich for a 5-tech though? I like the idea of having a great 3-tech, but I'm wondering if this means we have to let Hall walk after his rookie deal. Having DTs picked 12,19 and 33 is a lot of investment in a rotating group where no one plays near 100% of downs (unlike our ILBs, edge rushers, and top DBs).
Seems like the 33rd overall pick is a little rich for a 5-tech though? I like the idea of having a great 3-tech, but I'm wondering if this means we have to let Hall walk after his rookie deal. Having DTs picked 12,19 and 33 is a lot of investment in a rotating group where no one plays near 100% of downs (unlike our ILBs, edge rushers, and top DBs).
Bucs traded down to land Hall and Hall has the potential to do more than a traditional 5 tech as he is very athletic. You can't keep them all but having Hall on a cheap rookie contract has its perks as it allow cap space to go to resign other players.
Seems like the 33rd overall pick is a little rich for a 5-tech though? I like the idea of having a great 3-tech, but I'm wondering if this means we have to let Hall walk after his rookie deal. Having DTs picked 12,19 and 33 is a lot of investment in a rotating group where no one plays near 100% of downs (unlike our ILBs, edge rushers, and top DBs).
When Vea has been on the field, he's been a good player. But the dude only played 48% of the defensive snaps last season. That's not good for a guy that you used the 12 overall pick on. For a point of reference, Gerald McCoy played over 90% of the teams defensive snaps in 2013. Vea's lack of playing a large percentage of snaps was definitely something that was brought up when he was a prospect. Unfortunately, that trend has continued.
Hopefully Kancey stays on the field longer and justifies the selection.
So stoked to watch Kancey, great addition
Seems like the 33rd overall pick is a little rich for a 5-tech though? I like the idea of having a great 3-tech, but I'm wondering if this means we have to let Hall walk after his rookie deal. Having DTs picked 12,19 and 33 is a lot of investment in a rotating group where no one plays near 100% of downs (unlike our ILBs, edge rushers, and top DBs).
When Vea has been on the field, he's been a good player. But the dude only played 48% of the defensive snaps last season. That's not good for a guy that you used the 12 overall pick on. For a point of reference, Gerald McCoy played over 90% of the teams defensive snaps in 2013. Vea's lack of playing a large percentage of snaps was definitely something that was brought up when he was a prospect. Unfortunately, that trend has continued.
Hopefully Kancey stays on the field longer and justifies the selection.
excellent point. So far Kancey isn’t off to a good start with that.
