Pete Prisco: Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

May 6th, 2023

Bucs rookie edge rusher YaYa Diaby.

It seems few reporters watch as much football tape, both NFL and college, as outspoken prickly Pete Prisco of CBS. Naturally, he has thoughts about the Bucs’ recent draft.

Prisco is scratching his head over the Bucs’ selection of YaYa Diaby of Louisville. Prisco didn’t like his production, or lack thereof at Louisville. But Prisco admitted desperate teams do desperate things and the Bucs are desperate for an edge rusher.

Worst Pick: I didn’t love the pick of pass rusher YaYa Diaby in the third round. I didn’t love his tape, but I get it since they need help at edge. He is athletic, so this is a traits pick in my mind.

The picks of Calijah Kancey and Diaby to Joe are a clear sign the Bucs are unhappy with their pass rush. They should they be. It’s weak despite tying for the seventh-most sacks in the NFL last season. Joe’s not trying to trigger anyone, but until Joe sees it, Joe’s spooked by Shaq Barrett returning from an Achilles injury.

Joe is not expecting rookies to start scaring opposing quarterbacks. But if it just happens to all come together for Logan Hall, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Jose Ramirez, Diaby and Kancey, this Bucs defense could be totally ferocious.

34 Responses to “Pete Prisco: Beggars Can’t Be Choosers”

  1. Alexandre Nascimento Says:

    Joe
    Is Nick Foles an option to the Bucs?
    Go Bucs

  2. MadMax Says:

    I was going to mention Foles the other day in that article, but saw he was with the Colts….well, now he’s not. I think that would be a great veteran presence in the QB room and he still has a little left in the tank…should come cheap.

  3. MadMax Says:

    If YAYA develops into another JPP, man what another 3rd rd steal!

  4. Austin Says:

    Dude is huge, and productive. Kancey is lightning fast and instantly in the backfield, watch his highlight, its awesome. I’m excited

  5. chark Says:

    Yeah I wasnt blown away by yaya’s film. He doesnt play as fast as his 40 time and his 1st step is not too explosive. I didnt think he looked like 3rd rounder. But I hope I am wrong. He has got lead in his pants and plays heavy in a good way . He is bull like and could get much better with technique and addl pass rush moves. Mixed feelings about his ceiling.

  6. Rod Munch Says:

    Everything I saw about YaYa Diaby was that he should be a better pro than a college. But he’s also a mid-3rd round pick, and finding good edge rushers from there is extremely hit or miss. He’s got the tools, so who knows, it’s a lottery ticket pick in any case.

  7. Antonio Brown's Shrink Says:

    Files would be a stable game manager who might be able to win with this defense assuming White will play well.

  8. Delusional Intelligence Says:

    If memory serves me correct, Prickly Pete like a total of 5 edge rusher picks the entire draft.

  9. HC Grover Says:

    On the other hand it could be atrocious as HC/DC Bowles implodes.

  10. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    We should know by midseason if there is any fire in the kid.

  11. Buc4evr Says:

    When you are starting JTS how could you be happy with the rush? Maybe YaYa will be the winning lottery ticket?

  12. TampaBayBucsFanSince1976 Says:

    Likely that JTS or Hall gets cut if draft picks show out in camp.

  13. Tim Says:

    Joe’s not trying to trigger anyone
    —————————————
    Don’t worry about triggering anyone, Joe. Too many people are too worried about feelings these days. Just say what you gotta say. If people don’t like it, let them go somewhere else.

  14. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    The guy ranks around 14th as a draft projected DE….round 3 or 4……ran a 4.51 40….
    Seems about right to me…..I think the key is his upside & all those involved with drafting him see it as very high.

    I’ll reserve judgement.

  15. Dewey Selmon Says:

    Let’s not forget we didn’t have a 4th round pick. Maybe we had to make a move a round early. Or maybe he would have gone the pick after we passed on him. We’ll never know but who cares if you got the guy you wanted.

  16. PSL Bob Says:

    “But if it just happens to all come together for …”

    You can plug in the names of key defensive players on any of the 31 other NFL teams and reach the same conclusion. Optimism prevails this time of year.

  17. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I like the pick of YaYa, and disagree with Pete on this one.

  18. Allbuccedup Says:

    Hes more of a 4th round pick but the Bucs didn’t have one.

  19. BamaBucc Says:

    I disagree with Pete. His tape was pretty tough to watch and get a glimpse of his range of techniques since he played almost primarily a 3 tech on the DL due to size/power combo and then ‘Ville ran stunts and screen busters and you could see some elite movement traits. His tape WAS hard but that was due to his positioning. The STEAL picks were Dennis and Palmer IMO but I need to see Diaby play and what role he will fill to make a judgement.

  20. Destinjohnny Says:

    After 10 drafts, we haven’t gotten one pass rusher

  21. Mike Says:

    Kind of a silly thing to say by Pete, because yeah, if he had good traits and good film/good production he’s probably not going to be available to pick in the middle of the 3rd round.

  22. Dooley Says:

    Diaby is a solid prospect by himself, but I like him even more as an addition to compliment the rest of the talent we’ll have on the defensive front. Obviously Diaby is a rookie, so it may take him some time to get used to everything his, but struggles wont be a matter of lacking anything imo

  23. gotbbucs Says:

    They picked him a round early in my opinion, but they didn’t have a 4th round pick, so it was now or never.

  24. Infomeplease Says:

    I’ll have a better feel for the pick at this time next year. LFG?

  25. Idahobucfan4life Says:

    When I watched his highlights it seemed like the bulk kf his sacks were coverage sacks, or the result of someone else pressuring the QB first and then Yaya getting clean-up duty sacks. I didn’t see him pouncing to the QB first.

  26. ModHairKen Says:

    Licht saw something in Diaby. Tape is good. Past production is important. But sometimes you just gotta say “WTF, I’m doing it.” It did not work with the 2nd round K. Maybe this time it does.

    I admire the balls to do it. Rock on, Big Daddy Licht. This is your team.

  27. MadMax Says:

    ^^ Agreed 100

  28. Destinjohnny Says:

    Is anyone alarmed that after 10 drafts this gm hasn’t hit on one pass rusher?

  29. Rod Munch Says:

    Delusional Intelligence Says:
    May 6th, 2023 at 5:20 am
    If memory serves me correct, Prickly Pete like a total of 5 edge rusher picks the entire draft.

    ——-

    Keep in mind this was considered a very weak draft overall, so that sounds about right.

  30. Rod Munch Says:

    Destinjohnny Says:
    May 6th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
    Is anyone alarmed that after 10 drafts this gm hasn’t hit on one pass rusher?

    ———-

    I know, what a loser, all Licht has done is get the team a SB and three playoff appearances. He needs to be fired, post-haste.

  31. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Munch

    Brady did that. Bud Licht just coasted along on the ride.

  32. JeffreyLane77 Says:

    I’m really tired of all this he’s got “potential” talk. I keep hearing the guys Tampa drafted in later rds. All have NFL size, strength, speed, athleticism. So to me that means these guys played against college players with all these athletic advantages. Yet they had little success. To make it even worse most of the college players our draftees played against weren’t even considered NFL draft talent. With their NFL size, speed, strength and athleticism they should have been dominating at the college level. They just didn’t. I’m not expecting much from this draft class. You guys are all blowing smoke.

  33. Larrd Says:

    Their draft picks had about 35 sacks in college last year. That seems like a lot of production to me.

  34. Destinjohnny Says:

    No Tom no trophy