Jason Licht: “Our Depth At Edge Rusher Gives Me Comfort”
April 24th, 2025
Don’t fear the edge rush.
UPDATED: The Bucs’ edge rush was horrible last year. So much so they brought back Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett out of mothballs. It was to no avail.
The Bucs lost one of their starting edge rushers to free agency, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, but gained one in Haason Reddick. YaYa Diaby, still young, still developing, had a paltry 4.5 sacks.
With several well-regarded edge rushers on the board in Round 1 of tonight’s NFL Draft, Bucs fans are screaming at Joe on Twitter why the Bucs chose not to address the woeful pass rush, bottom-five in the league the past two years.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said after the selection of wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 the edge rush of the Bucs is deep.
That’s certainly one way to describe it.
“Our depth at edge rusher gives me comfort,” Licht said Thursday night.
Licht added: “We don’t think [our edge rush] is as dire as many make it out to be. I think we’re going to be a lot better rushing the passer this year.”
Well, it was downright horrible last year. In fact, “edge rusher” was the No. 1 answer in Joe’s poll this morning that asked Bucs fans what their top priority is in tonight’s draft.
And again, as Licht has said multiple times since the combine, he has faith that second-round pick in 2024, Chris Braswell, will blow up this fall.
As the great eastern philosopher Moe Howard once said, “We shall see.”
April 24th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
I’d like some of whatever drugs he’s on please
April 24th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Better sign Shaq Barrett ASAP and pray
April 24th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Rest of the picks should be all defense.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:53 pm
What position would you rather have JL pick WR or edge? Wr everyday, he has showed he knows how to do that. Why do we need another possibly JTS, or Noah Spence? The numbers game is on our side.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:53 pm
Better hope Reddicks last year performance was a mirage.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:54 pm
This is a wise succession move. Defense will be addressed in round two and three. Way too soon to panic. Let’s see what defensive players are still available on Day Two.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:54 pm
Haha yea you are right Jason you got depth of people that can’t get to the QB. This defense is going to be trash again. If we got pass rushers then we have a coach that doesn’t know how to use them looking at you Bowles.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:56 pm
Better hope so, or him and Todd might be out after this year.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:56 pm
Barron even being available was a surprise. I’m not mad at this pick but Barron is a stud corner. But, you can never have too many quality receivers. The kid can play from day one and form a great partnership with Jalen down the road.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:56 pm
In Jason We Trust
April 24th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
Like the value pick. Also, seems to be a Godwin clone yet faster.
Can he block?
Can he catch key 3rd down passes at will?
So far so good.
April 24th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
The bulbous nose….blah-blahing out his spin, again.
THIS…is what an University of Nebraska education gets ya….rather gets US. Not exactly Goldman Sachs material huh …
Wonderful.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:02 pm
If this was a second round pick I would be happy, 19th overall no way, I can’t take another year like last year with a defense that cannot stop anyone, just remember the playoff game against the redskins they offense did not PUNT the ENTIRE game, and remember the two games against Atlanta Curt got NFC offenses player of the week both times.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
didnt he say that last year? how did they turn out?
meanwhile ATL traded back into the 1st to get their second edge
April 24th, 2025 at 11:09 pm
Defence was the priority ! Look what the falcons did . Wtf light ??
April 24th, 2025 at 11:09 pm
You cannot go wrong with Emeka Egbuka, maybe we already have some great wide outs but again it is a great pick. Better than a LB with a bum shoulder and an edge rusher we do not have room for this season. Nolan was already drafted. Lets get corners and safety and linebacker in the 2-4 round.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Yeah, too much panicking.
Lets talk after round seven … AND USFAs are signed. We always find 1 or 2 that make the team.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:11 pm
Bucs cannot coach up an edge rusher anyway. Lets get what is guaranteed. Yeah!!!!!
April 24th, 2025 at 11:11 pm
He went with a safe pick but we need a home run
April 24th, 2025 at 11:11 pm
I am not comforted….
Ezeiruaku should have been the pick….
April 24th, 2025 at 11:13 pm
So many needs on D and we take a redundant WR that doesn’t offer speed or any other layer to the Offense we’re missing.
So sick of the tired “In Licht We Trust” mantra. Yet another safe, low-floor pick that will keep us just above .500.
Maybe at least now people will shut up about the ‘home discounts’ players are giving Licht. We gave Godwin $66M by had to blow a 1st rounder on an insurance policy.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
Y’all act like Jason won’t pick up some defensive guys in this draft he had Emeka Higher on his board last year the Bucs last 4 straight when Evans an Godwin were out an Godwin is coming back from Injury now he doesn’t have to rush to get to 100% Love this pick he will Fix the defense next no worries let Jason Cook in Jason I trust
April 24th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
Damn falcons trying to Sack Baker
April 24th, 2025 at 11:18 pm
Talk about pressure on Braswell sheesh lol
April 24th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
Emeka is going to be used to pass protect Baker as well as run routes
April 24th, 2025 at 11:22 pm
Lots of d players still available. WR was thinking, makes sense.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
The Bucs defense did their job in the playoffs, made a huge 4th quarter goal line stand and gave the ball back to Baker who had a chance to go up two scores and put the game away.
The defense didn’t lose the Bucs that playoff game, Baker Mayfield did. This draft is about giving Baker zero excuses after he choked in the 4th quarter of the Bucs last two playoff games.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:31 pm
Need offense weapons that can last a full season.
Kinda makes sense when you think about it. Duh.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:47 pm
1 year deal for Reddick… Braswell looked so good in practice last year he couldn’t get snaps over JTS? Bowles D didn’t work cause of injuries but they need a new WR3? #4 offense #16 defense (#29 pass) … I guess they trust the depth and will get guys they like later.
Win now.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I trust. JL, but he’s wrong. Our pass rush isn’t good. We need D. I wanted Edge or DT, but I would have been good with LB, CB or S because we need them. We didn’t need a #4 WR. The only reason for this ouck is if Godwin won’t be available.
April 24th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
Corner, corner ,corner !!! Edge, edge, edge ! Wow falcons picked up 2 edge rushers . Whst did we do ? They will be coming after you know who ! They know who they have to beat .
April 24th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
If Michael Penix Jr. can play lick, Atlanta might have blown by the Buc’s tonight. Jason Light your on the clock buddy!
April 24th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
Just doesn’t make sense. Bowles did nothing but make excuses his D struggled this season because of injuries, yet claimed he can work with anyone to keep the score down.
And here we are, a 4th string WR in the first round with no premium help for Todd. Just sounds like yet another excuse to keep Todd around when we go 8-9 next year.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:26 am
Well I see the logic, kinda screams Godwin insurance. Well maybe Green is there in the second, which kinda says Izien is staying put, Dean is given another chance. I never would expected the pick. But maybe we go all D here on out and some young defensive studs drop in the lap. But jeez Atlanta makes me want OL even a FB just to block.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Ummm do we have a double digit guy or am i missing it?
April 25th, 2025 at 12:51 am
With Reddick on one side, I think they are really counting on Yaya and Braswell to pick it up from the other side. If they are right, man, it’s gonna be fun to watch.
April 25th, 2025 at 1:47 am
I imagine Algo will put this in the onion cellar for a while, but many believe if you actually taught your young pass rushers how to rush the NFL passer instead of forcing them to learn DT, LB, CB and S all varying from play to play, maybe guys like Braswell would get some sacks.
After Todd’s “we need to score more points than them” revelation, his next wave of evolution might be “teach young pass rushers how to rush the passer in the NFL” followed by defensive calls where they actually rush the passer, most of the time.
April 25th, 2025 at 3:44 am
Yeah and it’s only because he’s banking on that former 2nd rd pick from alabama to step up and make plays but he can’t even get on the damn field. Another Joe Tryon replacement. They just didn’t want a set back that’s why they drafted WR. Because a WR is one of the safest picks in the NFL draft!
They would’ve been lit if they drafted Will Johnson or Mike green and they get hurt or bust and then lose. That’s the worst, I respect them for it. I just don’t like it. Whatever.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:30 am
I want some of what Licht is smoking. He can’t be serious, can he? That oblivious comment, paired with a questionable pick last night, makes me now fear that nothing with this team is going to change. If Jason isn’t going to admit that every loss last year was because of the defense not the pass corp we are in trouble. Last night was basically, “draft a defensive player night” and we were the one team that did not address last years issues. Focusing on the future means we don’t win now. SMH
April 25th, 2025 at 7:14 am
OMG rod munch. Get over your Baker hate. Nobody agrees with you. Find a new song to sing, or please shut up!
April 25th, 2025 at 8:20 am
the Bucs depth at edge gives everyone else discomfort. Licht’s basically saying…we have no quality edge rushers…but at least we have a lot of them.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Does anybody remember watching Daniels shred our defense in that playoff game, especially the whole last half? Then the next week, we see the Eagles play the same team and bust that ass wide open? Daniels couldn’t do s***against the Eagles and you know why? BCZ they had a D-Line!
Patrick Maholmes in the Super Bowl sucked ass and you know why? Bcz of the Eagles D-Line. We had a chance at Mike Greene, James Pierce, Jr or Ezeiruaku (not sure how the hell to spell his name) but we’re gonna rely on Diaby, who who’s presence was barely felt by Daniels with his 4.5 sacks last year and Chris Braswell who couldn’t get on the field? And JL… please …do tell us Bucs fans, if you have SO MUCH FAITH in Braswell, why didn’t you play him instead of JTS in the game that mattered most? Those 3 edges are studs and they’re not gonna be available at our next pick.
We’re in win now mode, so why would we take a player that’s not even gonna get on the field right now? I mean, who’s he gonna replace? Mike? …who is signed through 2026 ands has already been on the record saying that he’s gonna at least play through 2026? Godwin? …who just resigned a 3 year $60mil+ deal? Jalen, who’s already established himself as the third WR? Why couldn’t we find a top WR in next year’s draft? And then, we didn’t even take the best WR available in Matthew Golden? I bet NO team even had Ebeku targeted in the first round! He could’ve moved back, picked up a few more picks and still selected this fool!
The Falcons didn’t mess around and went BACK in the first round to snatch up James Pierce, Jr, after snatching up Jalon Walker! Good thing we have two great Tackles! I’m glad we picked up Reddick but he’s only here for one year. If we’re looking for an insurance policy and the future at a ANY position, how does this position, being our weakest not be the top priority?
JL… please don’t mess this draft up any further: we still need. ILB and DB depth. Carson Schwesinger and Chris Paul, Jr. should be available in round 3. Can we at least target Shavon Revel or Darien Porter tonight in round 2?
April 25th, 2025 at 10:06 am
Sorry Jason, A lot of ys fans disagree with you. Your depth at pass rushing gives you comfort? You added one underperforming DE to the team. He had a miserable season last year. There were 2 outstanding DE’s left on the board at 19 last night. You passed on them. Which means you are probably CB or safety bound in rde 2. If our pass rush does not improve 2 fold, we will look back at 1st rd, pick19. The WR pick is not bad. Its just you missed at improving the Defense.
What good is scoring 40 and the other team scores 41?
April 25th, 2025 at 10:32 am
This is extremely disappointing. This bull doesn’t add up. When the defense is being torched don’t blame Bowles. Blame this guy.
April 25th, 2025 at 11:12 am
The depth he’s referring to is fleeting.
Almost certainly, Reddick is a one year Buc because paying him big next year after asking both Godwin and Evans to take hometown discounts is bad, bad business.
…so yeah… Very, very fleeting.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Everyone is freaking out after day one of the draft and it is hilarious. Like when my son gets told no ice cream for breakfast and freaks out then realizes it’s pancakes and calms down. There is loads of defensive talent still on the board and there’s the whole draft ahead of us. Licht knows wtf he is doing and knows this receiver is the real deal. Everyone needs to have a drink, settle in and enjoy this draft instead of losing their marbles.
April 25th, 2025 at 3:33 pm
He was the best WR on the board. Who thinks Godwin and Evans will play another 4 or 5 years? I would guess no one. NOW is the time for the great ones to try and clone themselves. It takes time. I am so tired of people with tripe in their heads instead of brains. How many pundits picked our first pick??
April 29th, 2025 at 9:53 am
I feel like Jason Licht hit it out of the park again with this draft. I did think we needed to add more depth at linebacker to learn behind Lavonte David, though. Honestly, I was convinced we were going to land Bassa until the Chiefs traded up—but who knows, that might end up being a blessing in disguise. Getting Elijah there instead could turn out to be a steal. He’s a solid football player in his own right, even if I personally preferred Bassa.
As for safety, I truly believe there’s a *great* chance Shilo Sanders makes the final roster. The depth at that position is incredibly thin right now, and based on what he brings to the table—physicality, instincts, and energy—it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t at least back up Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. He’s got a real shot to contribute.
As far as Parrish wrestling translates extremely well to football—arguably better than most other sports in my opinion. One of the key fundamentals it teaches is *leverage*, which is essential on the football field, especially in the trenches could also see how as a smaller corner this would help exponentially. Understanding how to manipulate your opponent’s body position, maintain balance, and control angles gives players a real edge.
And let’s be honest—anyone who’s ever wrestled knows you run *a lot*. In fact, I’ve never run more in my life than during a wrestling season. It’s an intense combination of strength, endurance, and mental toughness. You become a workout warrior by necessity. Wrestling builds raw physicality and teaches you how to impose your will on an opponent—traits that directly carry over to football.