Bucs Beef Up Defensive Line With A’Shawn Robinson
March 12th, 2026
Bravo to Buccaneers Ring Of Honor general manager Jason Licht for replacing Logan Hall with a big veteran who is no Logan Hall.
Cut by the Panthers two days ago, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson is now a Buccaneer, per NFL Network, with a $10 million salary for 2026.
At 6-3, 320 pounds, Robinson won a Super Bowl ring with the Rams during the 2021 season, in which he started 14 games. He spent the last two years with Carolina. He’s productive and versatile, and did Joe mention huge? Robinson found more of a pass rush the past two seasons, with 8 sacks on 16 quarterback hits in that span.
Yes, Robinson is a high-mileage 31-year-old, but he’s missed only one game the past three seasons.
Joe thinks the Bucs defnitely upgraded from Hall, who got a two-year deal for $14 million from the Texans.
Former Bucs head coach and Rams Super Bowl defensive coodinator Raheem Morris has raved about Robinson multiple times, calling him the hidden star of that Rams Super Bowl win. Playing defensive end against the Bengals, Robinson had six tackles, one sack and a tackle for a loss.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:42 am
About time. Good signing.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:45 am
Nice pick up. The guy started a few gamees for Derrick Brown last season. The trolls will not want to hear this but taking depth from your division rival is a good thing…….. The Carolina blogs say that the guy is a cap casuality but I bet the Buc haters will still bash this move. I hate that we lost Mike and that Bowles is probably the reaason why and also is likely chasing potential free aganets away but the few signing the Bucs have made are all positives at LB, RB, QB and now DL. They replace some of the rot that failed the Bucs last season but will it make a difference with Todd running the D/ That is the question and also why Jason refuses to sign an edge rusher……
March 12th, 2026 at 12:51 am
Do like how how our new signings are upgrades over Dennis, White, Hall
As well as very solid low risk acquisitions.
Was wise to offset Mike leaving w Otton. But he’ll never make the ProBowl.
But the failure to acquire an Edge with that many possibilities is unacceptable
March 12th, 2026 at 12:51 am
I might have an unpopular opinion, but all of the signings so far, are upgrades to who they are replacing. Hopefully they can hit on some draft picks and maybe a couple more free agents and we’ll see what happens.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:53 am
We still have the same D coordinator
March 12th, 2026 at 12:55 am
Seems like they are happy with the same broken formula. Let licht and Bowles draft more bad d lineman
March 12th, 2026 at 12:58 am
BA’s Red Pen: yeah that is the turd in the swimming pool but a friend of mine who cheers for another NFL team said something which made me think: even if Bowless gave up playcalling, as long as he is head coach he could at any moment, take back that duty and make whomever the DC is a glorified line coach or clipboard holder. Someday, the retention of Bowles and thus making Mike walk will be on the list of top Buc gaffes along with trading a first round pick for the throwing Samoan, Jack Thompson and drafting Bo Jackson, definitely a top 3 mistake by the franchise.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:58 am
Rashad White was misused. Maybe the best catching back in the NFL. These mental midgets we have as coaches sh*t the bed on that one. He was right to leave and so was ME13. Dumpster fire clown show….
Gainwell may be good, but to say he’s better is hard to tell and I’m sure he will be underutilized anyway because it’s a Bucs life.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:07 am
Letting Mike walk is s huge stain by far worst than drafting a kicker with 2nd rd pic
March 12th, 2026 at 1:19 am
It’s at least validating that the Glazers won’t spend money with Todd.
BA had a clear direction, said what he needed and won with it.
Todd doesn’t even know something is wrong lol.
I think all of the signings are smart and calculated, but we aren’t spending money like it’s 2020 or anything. Trading for Kayvon T. Is probably the best they can do now.
Unless we trade up for Styles. That would actually make me happy.
I know he isn’t an edge rusher but he could be.
Should be the #1 overall pick IMO.
Oh well, I hope Tomlin likes picking between 15-20.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:35 am
Hopefully he starts working on his drops and cover 2 flats coverage as well as learning how to decipher Bowles’s encrypted defensive calls. Maybe he can avoid maiming fellow teammates.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:43 am
He’s a downgrade from Logan Hall. Yay
March 12th, 2026 at 2:13 am
So far they’ve got an ILB and a DT both known for stopping the run… Not one thing done to address getting to the quarterback in a passing league. SMH. I’m just beyond over it. Don’t expect me at a game next year. Call me when Bowles is gone and the Glazers issue an apology to Mike Evans
March 12th, 2026 at 2:15 am
Eric, you’re crazy man…..
A-Shawn is a beast and physical as hell.
This guy gets actual production in games…
2025 – averaged just under 4 total tackles per game
2024 – averaged 5 total tackles per game..
This is in addition to the 8 sacks over the last 2 years…
He will be the Logan Hall replacement as a starter…
This could a gem signing by Licht…
March 12th, 2026 at 2:20 am
Draft thoughts now;
1st round -> Messidor, edge rusher – Miami Hurricanes
2nd round -> Anthony Hill Jr, ILB – Clemson
3rd round -> Best CB available
4th round -> Best TE available
Then go BPA rest of rounds
March 12th, 2026 at 2:22 am
OBP Tampa’s NFL outlet for retread not quite good enough fellas…
I hope you understand that it’s a 50/50 situation whether this established roster and the draft class can take a step into the teams challenging for Conference Championship
All I can say for certain is that if 2026 is not the roster to make it to the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP game then the REALITY IS a franchise with the top half of talent dropping dramatically by age and that the unspoken translation is REBUILDING and all that comes with that.
It’s a high risk season…
March 12th, 2026 at 2:57 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 18th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
March 17th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Sign
• William Gholston
• A’ Shawn Robinson
Draft
• Keanu Benton
• Zach Harrison
• Kobi Turner
Potential Depth Chart
A’ Shawn Robinson | Keeanu Benton
Vita Vea | Kobi Turner
Will Gholston | Logan Hall | Zach Harrison
March 12th, 2026 at 3:17 am
🎯 TRADE TARGET — GERVON DEXTER SR. | DT | Chicago Bears
* Age: 24 | 6’6″ / 326 lbs | University of Florida | 2023 Draft — 2nd Rnd PK
* 2026 Cap Hit: $2,139,368 | Dead Cap: $472,496 | Final year of rookie deal
2025 PRODUCTION
* 17 games | 665 snaps | 6 sacks | 6 TFL | 11 QB hits
* 13.5 career sacks / 42 career QB hits in 49 games
WHY HE POTENTIAL FITS
* One-gap penetration rusher — exactly what Bowles’ scheme demands
* Elite length, twitchy first step, built to shoot gaps
* Vita Vea absorbs double teams — Dexter exploits the vacated gap
* Replaces Logan Hall at half the price, one year younger, more production
TRADE INTEL
* Bears publicly say he’s unavailable — but won’t extend him
* Losing him for nothing in 2027 free agency is the reality they’re staring at
* Multiple teams already called at the Combine
* Asking price: Conditional 4th (escalates to 3rd if Tampa makes playoffs)
March 12th, 2026 at 3:23 am
🎯 TRADE TARGET — WILL McDONALD IV | EDGE | New York Jets
* Age: 26 | 6’4″ / 258 lbs | Iowa State | 2023 Draft — 1st Round, Pick 15
* 2026 Cap Hit: ~$3.9M (4th yr rookie deal) | 5th Year Option: $13.7–14.97M (Jets must decide by May)**
PRODUCTION
* 2025: 8 sacks | 19 QB hits | 30 tackles | 15 games (knee IR’d late season)
* 2024 breakout: 10.5 sacks (t-12th NFL) | 24 QB hits (7th NFL) | 2 FF
* Career: 21.5 sacks / 46 QB hits in 3 seasons
WHY HE FITS TAMPA
* Designated pass rush specialist — McDonald is tailor-made for that role
* 30–40% of snaps, pin ears back and rush
* Run defense liability is irrelevant when you’re using him as a 3rd-down sub
* Pairs with Vita Vea’s run-stuffing presence —McDonald never has to play the run
* Youth and upside at 26 with 21.5 career sacks already banked
TRADE INTEL
* Multiple teams called at the 2025 deadline — Jets declined all offers
* New regime, new math. Draft capital + rebuilding = different conversation now
* Asking price: 3rd round pick | Tampa should open at a 4th and negotiate up
* His $3.9M cap hit in 2026 is a steal — Tampa controls the 5th year option decision post-trade
March 12th, 2026 at 3:30 am
Comp Picks
* Compensatory picks are generated exclusively by free agency transactions — specifically the net loss of qualifying unrestricted free agents
* The formula tracks: UFAs lost vs. UFAs gained, weighted by salary, playing time, and postseason honors
* Only UFA signings and losses feed the formula — trades are completely invisible to it
What This Means for Tampa
* Trading for McDonald, Dexter, Thibodeaux, or anyone else costs zero comp pick equity
* The only thing that eats into Tampa’s comp pick potential is signing outside UFAs
* Losing Mike Evans, Jamel Dean, Logan Hall, White?— those departures are building comp pick equity right now
* If Licht signs too many outside UFAs in free agency, he offsets those departures and loses the comp picks
March 12th, 2026 at 3:54 am
Just because you don’t know who he is doesn’t mean it’s a downgrade. lol.
March 12th, 2026 at 3:56 am
Nice pick up….
March 12th, 2026 at 3:57 am
Bucfan1988 … ‘A-Shawn is a beast and physical as hell. This could a gem signing by Licht’.
LOVE this signing! Robinson is the veteran beast we’ve needed since we didn’t re-sign Suh after the 2021 season. Kudos on JL for quickly jumping on this opportunity once the Panthers let him walk 2 days ago. A-Shawn is the veteran leader this DLine has desperately needed to set the tone upfront.
Right now we’ve got Vea (31 @ 6’4″ & 347 lbs), Robinson (31 @ 6’3″ & 320 lbs), Elijah Roberts (24 @ 6’4″ & 295 lbs) and Kancey (25 @ 6’0″ & 280 lbs) to build around. Bucs now need to draft a beastly NT/DT (like Kayden McDonald or Caleb Banks) to rotate into this Front & ultimately replace either Vea or Robinson. Also think that our now beefier interior will allow Bowles to move Kancey further out, and possibly he won’t get beaten up as badly out there as he has for 3 yrs inside.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:02 am
LUVMYBUCS … Great analysis on Will McDonald. Agree 100% that he’d be well worth a 3rd or 4th Rnd pick. Plus that’d free us up from having to use a high draft pick this year on an Edge.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:30 am
Appreciate that Defense Rules — and yeah, that’s exactly the play. McDonald in a Bowles scheme doesn’t need to be a 3-down every-snap guy. Pin his ears back on passing downs, let Vita Vea eat the double teams, and you’ve got a legitimate pass rush problem for coordinators to solve.
The comp pick angle makes it even cleaner — trades are invisible to the compensatory formula. So Tampa could land McDonald AND still collect the comp picks from losing Evans, Dean, Hall, and Rachaad White. That’s acquiring a first-round edge rusher without touching your comp equity or burning a high draft pick on a position with on of the steepest development curve in football.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:43 am
This would’ve been a good signing, in the 1970’s-80’s when teams ran the ball over half the time. This guy has had 15 sacks in 10 years. Bowles still doesn’t understand that the NFL is a passing league first, and the Bucs really can’t stop anybody decent from shredding Bowles defense through the air.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:10 am
After further research: A-Shawn’s eight sacks and sixteen QB hits were all against the Bucs.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Everytime the following is said, “but he’s missed only one game the past three seasons.” is like the KOD. Chaulk another one up for our medical prevention team.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Budget friendly DT on the wrong side of 30. Anyone else reminded of the Jon Gruden years with the way we’ve pursued FA defensive players these last 4-5 years. Maybe Jason Licht needs to stop shopping the dinosaur aisle.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:13 am
“So Tampa could land McDonald AND still collect the comp picks from losing Evans, Dean, Hall, and Rachaad White.”
Because Licht-Greenberg reworked Deans deal and took a year off of it, we don’t get a comp pick for him signing with the Steelers.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:44 am
This guy got cut with a $7.5 mill salary and the savvy Licht scoops him up on day 2 and gives him almost a 45% raise. This is the guy who was fined for roughing up Baker last yr. Yet another 2nd tier 30 yr old. Is Licht capable of looking beyond last yrs opponents for FAs? A’Shawn is a brawler though, which I like, having been repeatedly fined throughout his career for fighting. Fiesty but dumb.
Licht also paid 31 yr old Anzalone more money per year than 25 yr Chenal. Not to mention paying 27yo Gainwell almost a million more per year than 25 yo Allgeier. The only ring Licht belongs in gets flushed regularly.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:45 am
* 35%
March 12th, 2026 at 7:49 am
LUVMYBUCS
Great breakdown on McDonald and Dexter. I am so down on what little Licht has done in this free agency that you give me hope there are still answers out there. It is very unlikely we can expect much production from a rookie OLB or DT, steep learning curves on top of a 50/50 chance they we pick the right one. Plus, the Bucs have so many holes. A trade is a better way of identifying proven NFL talent than an draft pick.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:26 am
This is a solid signing. Good rotational player. IMO, he’s an upgrade over Hall. Long in the tooth but versatile and productive.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Bravo Bright Licht for overpaying ( got 1.5 million more than he was set to earn before being cut ) for a late career Kevin Carter run stuffing type? Standards are at an all time low it appears.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:42 am
LUVMYBUCS
GREAT WORK!!!!!!
missed you buddy!!!!
im hoping we trade down and select OG in the 1st round to solidify the OL and finally create quality depth…plus Mauch will be a FA after the season
i think the robinson signing means CK94 moves to the edge
thought?..lol..
GO BUCS!!!!
March 12th, 2026 at 10:01 am
“Ring of Honor.” That’s LAUGHABLE. I don’t even know how a serious person could still be saying that. 93-104. Even a ‘blind-squirrel’ could find a Brady, throughout 14-YEARS. And, this should’ve been addressed during LAST OFF-SEASON’S Draft, like I said/was screaming, with BIG BAD Deone Walker. It would’ve already been SOLVED. And, a helluva lot cheaper for a player literally 10-YEARS younger, & on a HUGE incline (versus decline). It was just a total no-brainer, and very easy to see. It was an absolute FLAWED system, whatever TF that was last off-season. Very typical, though. I’m sure this will go down as the 6TH straight year, withOUT a single Pro-Bowler being drafted by JL. Roster construction has been a complete total DISASTER. But, THIS is what you get when you have satisfied owners, who don’t know FOOTBALL, and are completely disconnected, aloof, and out-of-touch from the modern day game. You HAVE TO have a STRONG HC, FO, & GM. They don’t know what TF they’re doing and it shows. You cannot deny it. It’s a train-wreck of a S-Show. There are NO INSTINCTS. They don’t know what the hell they’re doing. It’s just that simple.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:28 am
This is a very good signing. We can debate value of contract vs. production, but we needed more beef in the middle. Now we have more beef.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:42 am
ChiBuc Says: “Not to mention paying 27yo Gainwell almost a million more per year than 25 yo Allgeier. The only ring Licht belongs in gets flushed regularly.”
Yes. That’s the reason why I called it a “Desperate Move.”
And, Dave… WHO signed Bowles to a 3-YEAR Extension!? Uhhh, THAT’S RIGHT. They’re joined at the hip. Though, it appears that JL is sabotaging him, in order to save his OWN job. There is No-Way in HAIL, that LICKT can be involved in, or ANYWHERE NEAR, this upcoming ‘rebuild’ next offseason. Other than JUST moving assets at this season’s trade deadline. That has to be IT.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:00 am
“You HAVE TO have a STRONG HC, FO, & GM.”
When you have an ownership group like the Bucs currently have. We are just witnessing the results of the ‘reality’ of our current situation. They are totally content with JL, because “WINNING” is NOT Priority #1 for them. They are GOOD. Completely ’satisfied’ with already having their ONE recent Super Bowl this decade. Though, you’d like to think that they enjoyed living off of that SO DAMN MUCH, that they would CRAVE-IT. It should have been SO ADDICTING, that they would desperately do anything and everything to have that same feeling again. But, na… They Good. THEY don’t know what the hell they’re doing, and they’re not willing to do whatever it takes, in order to get it DONE. This whole good-ole “Buddy-Buddy System” has to GO. It’s stale and it STINKS. They need all new leadership and energy.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:39 am
I like the pickup of Robinson and would also like trading for McDonald. I was hoping we would pick him up last year along with some other Jets players.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Clear upgrade from Logan Hall who had a very unmemorable career in Tampa Bay
March 12th, 2026 at 11:48 am
On paper it looks like a good signing. Big man.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
BARGIN pick up to say Bucs did grab a Defensive player
He was cut by the Panthers
I say again
Glazers are going BARGIN year because they Kept Bowles
Next Year they will get a Coach and be able to attract one using the Build your own team
March 12th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Defense tabs exactly what I’ve bin saying in bounce kancey outside opposite of yaya. Replace kancey on the inside with a vea type. It would help keep kancey healthier. In a 3-4 set it would be great to have vea , Robinson and throw in another big beauty like the other to have 3 DTs on the line and have yaya and kancey as outside linebackers to rush the QB. That’s would be ludicrous. Then move to a 4-3 have rob and vea in the middle of the line and yaya and kancey in the ends. That’s a beefy line.