Most Improved Position Group
May 6th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
So, underwear football season is days away. It kicks off with rookie minicamp Friday followed by the portion of OTAs where teams can hold organized 11-on-11 practices (in shorts and practice jerseys with no pads and positively zero hitting) later this month.
So what position group improved from free agency and the draft? Many fans would say cornerback since the Bucs drafted two on Day 2 of the draft. Jenna Laine would disagree.
ESPN’s Bucs beat reporter thinks edge rush has been the most improved.
… The Bucs signed a low-risk and potentially high-reward free agent in Haason Reddick, who has produced double-digit sacks in all but one season since becoming a full-time edge rusher in 2020. On Day 3 of the draft, they selected quick edge David Walker and powerful Elijah Roberts. Walker notched 31 sacks and 191 tackles at Central Arkansas. Roberts had 17.5 sacks in two seasons at SMU, and the 278-pounder can line up on the edge or inside.
Joe would lean cornerback. While the Bucs added productive rookies, for the 2025 season, really the Bucs only added Haason Reddick because rarely do rookie edge rushers make a major impact.
Oh, sure, some guy by the name of “Bosa” will, but that is not even close to the norm.
But the Bucs may have improved their edge rush. For 2025, while Reddick is certainly an improvement, Joe doesn’t expect much if anything this season from David Walker and Elijah Roberts, who is projected to rush inside.
Now if rookie second-round pick cornerback Benjamin Morrison can get back on the field, both he and Jacob Parrish (Round 3) have a real shot of making an impact this year.
And looking ahead to next year, yes, the Bucs still likely need an edge rusher. “This Joe” figures there is a 40 percent chance Reddick sticks around if he returns to his usual form. And if he doesn’t, the percentage he sticks around will plummet.
Until the Bucs demonstrate they have a double-digit sack guy, they don’t.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:21 am
They still need to sign another LB. They didn’t even draft one. Even if you took a chance on one in the 7th round you never know because good players can come out of any round.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:33 am
First year pass rushers do tend to not find much success. We have a second-year pass rusher in Chris Braswell that Jason Licht and company are really high on. Probably worth a mention here as well. Not to mention the addition by subtraction of JTS.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:35 am
Pressure is on the DB coaches
May 6th, 2025 at 1:00 am
Whoever plays just needs to learn how to drop as deep as possible. Nothing over your head. Except when Vita throws the 7th round dwarf at Michaels Penix. That by definition is over your head.
May 6th, 2025 at 1:08 am
CB
Edge
WR (includes getting Godwin back)
If LVD or even SirV goes down, it is a major issue. After that, they have an average guy in Walker and a young guy in Jones. I will be shocked if they don’t sign another ILB given SirV’s in injury history and LVD’s age.
I honestly think this team can win 13 games, have the highest scoring offense in the league, finally have a 4 man pass rush… I’m just terrified of LVD going down
May 6th, 2025 at 2:21 am
When it comes to the position group that sorely needed reinforcements and improvement and got some attention I would agree: #1 is CBs and #2 is pass rush. However, adding Egbuka and Tez Johnson to the Bucs WR stable makes WR the most improved position group hands down. The improvement may be superfluous or it may be a revelation. That is up to Grizzard.
I love the pair of feisty man CBs as a crucial addition but the Bucs added a pair of consistent, top producing weapons for Mayfield to target so I have to declare WR most improved. The rich got richer.
May 6th, 2025 at 5:02 am
Maybe potentially would be a more accurate headline?
For the immediate future as in this season? Who is gonna get starter snaps?
Potentially it has to be one or the other but the only two I see as a given for starter reps are FA Reddick at OLB and Parrish at slot corner. Walker could surprise everyone but a rookie fourth rounder…Gonna catch heat for not saying Morrison but he will have to beat out Dean. Not a given at all.
It may sound like I am not happy with our draft. I am fine with it. But a rookie and a malcontent who did squat after sitting on the couch for seven games. Improve their position group? Not a lot of faith here.
Egbuka? improve that bunch? He would have to have the best rookie season by anyone ever. Not a slight on him. Right now he is #4.
Punter?
Go Bucs!
May 6th, 2025 at 6:32 am
I just hope we have no catastrophic injuries between now and September.
Last year was just ridiculous.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:50 am
edge though joe features young players with growth potential that Dean doesn’t have, might be better than we think? i know zyon isn’t old, but he might be as good as he’s gonna get, and the DL could improve as Kancey does, which also helps. i admit i’m worried about morrison more than others tho
May 6th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Could David Walker be an ILB? would have to lose a few pounds
May 6th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Beeej, I wouldn’t move Walker to ILB. I like his potential right where he is. I’d rather sign one off the street.
As far as most improved position…I’d have to say corner. As long as these two new guys work out.
May 6th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Overall, I believe the Buc’s did make substantial progress in filling obvious holes in the D. Even a 10-20% Improvement in effectiveness of the D will produce 1 or 2 more wins! LFG
May 6th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
How should we trust Licht has done the right moves for the pass rush when he’s the one that brought us JTS and Braswell?
He has basically gambled that having the best 4 WR in football will outscore the soft as butter pass defense.
Which means that any slip of offensive production likely spells doom, even in the NFC Least.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
May 6th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
If only Mike McCarthy was available 🤣🤣🤣
Tampa Bay Bucs = NFC south champs 4 years running!
And yes Dorothy, that counts for something. 🙄
May 7th, 2025 at 5:02 am
Wr room is the best room assuming Godwin will be healthy..cb could get interesting would love to see the trade with the dolphins happen fir our new cb/safety…
Grab a MLB when teams do their cut…
I would offer dolphins a 3rd pick specially if the eat the cap hit for ramsey …
He would give these young guys a leader in that room and top 3 talent..
Bucs should be leveraging miami now