The Bucs filled a big need when they drafted Louisville edge rusher Yaya Diaby with the 82nd overall pick in third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round pick, stalled with four sacks in each of the last two years, and Shaq Barrett turning 31 in November and coming off a torn Achilles tendon, the Bucs need some insurance at outside linebacker.

What Tampa Bay is banking on is a continuation of Diaby’s growth as an emerging pass rusher.

Diaby took a huge leap during his senior year in two particular areas that matter most – sacks and tackles for loss. The big, athletic pass rusher went from 1.5 sacks in 2021 to nine in 2022, also improving on his tackles for loss from three to 14. That type of jump is hopefully a sign of things to come. Diaby credited everyone around him for the rise as he just sticks to the grind.

“I would just say the hard work I’ve put in, in the offseason with my coaches and my teammates,” Diaby said. “Just becoming the player I am from 2021 to 2022 season – I just keep improving every year.”

Bucs Love What YaYa Diaby Can Offer

Louisville EDGE YaYa Diaby Photo By: USA Today

Stats – or lack of thereof – don’t always tell the story. The two elements in particular that the Bucs were huge fans of when it comes to Diaby were his speed and his power. He ran an eye-opening 4.51 for his 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which is obviously fast for his position group, but it’s the power he brings to the table that make him a combination that is difficult to find especially in later rounds.

“He’s very explosive,” Jason Licht said. “He’s big, he’s long – I believe he’s got like an 82 [inch] wing[span]. We really liked what we saw with him on tape and then meeting with him, he’s all about football and that’s kind of been the theme of these guys the last couple of days. Very excited about him – physical, fast, his best football is in front of him and that’s what kind of excites us about him.

“He’s a very good athlete, he’s very strong – he’s got speed to power, which is hard to find. I’ve found over the years that the guys who don’t make it don’t have an element of power. You can be fast as hell off the edge, but if you don’t have any power to combine with it then you get figured out by NFL tackles. He’s got speed, he’s got power and he’s got great effort.”

Diaby Should Motivate Bucs OLB Room

Adding Diaby to the outside linebacker room should elevate the rest of the group. Having a relentless effort tends to push others in your group.

“Just know, they got a dog,” Diaby said of what fans of the Bucs are getting from him. “Someone that is going to come in and work every day – work every day and we’re going to be back in that Super Bowl talk. I’m just a hungry individual. I am willing to learn. I just love this game. Whatever it takes for me to be successful, that’s what I’m going to do.”