Risky, But Can Bucs Afford To Be Picky?
March 24th, 2026
Still out there.
Beggars can’t be choosers. That’s the way Joe looks at the Bucs’ edge rush.
Sadly, Joe has a hunch that unless the Bucs can find/beg/borrow/steal a legit edge rusher to play opposite YaYa Diaby, the Louisville product won’t reach his ceiling for sacks that he set as a rookie, 7.5.
(But YaYa gets pressures! That really screwed up quarterbacks last year, didn’t it? Good ol’ pressures — BOO, I see you!)
Now the signing of Al-Quadin Muhammad is very interesting, but Joe has to see AQM with pads on in person before Joe gets too worked up. Having 11 sacks and nine tackles for loss last year is a great start, especially for a backup.
Something tells Joe that isn’t enough. Over at CBS, Zachary Pereles seems to think too many folks are sleeping on brittle but talented Joey Bosa.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE
Free agent fit: Joey Bosa
Draft fit: Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Todd Bowles loves to dial up pressure, but he’d love it even more if his team could get pressure when not blitzing. Tampa Bay was 20th in pressure rate when not blitzing in 2025. Enter Bosa, whose 14.6% pressure rate in 2025 was his best since 2022. He also played in 15 games, his most since 2021. Bosa also had a nose for the ball with five forced fumbles. Faulk, meanwhile, is a huge EDGE (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) with some high-upside athleticism.
Yeah, Bosa is brittle, injury-prone, whatever phrase or word you want to choose. If Bosa didn’t have so many question marks, he wouldn’t be unemployed right now.
But dang, if you could bring in a guy like Bosa and he could play in, say, 12 games, you can’t tell Joe that Bosa wouldn’t help the Bucs defense.
Again, beggars cannot be choosers. And unfortunately, as Joe types this here post, the Bucs are begging for help.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:10 am
The Joe(s) would flame out as personnel guys in the NFL.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:11 am
‘Beggars can’t be choosers.’
Must be the owners mentality about HC position!
March 24th, 2026 at 9:11 am
No to Bosa, no to Faulk.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:14 am
I looked at a mock draft yesterday and I was amazed on how many Edge Rushers are projected to go in 1st round. So the Bucs are not the only one with the problem, yes to Bosa just because Licht has missed so often on drafting a decent Edge who can understand the Bowles insanely genius defensive schemes.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Yes -go get Bosa. You cannot count on a 1st year pass rusher out of college. Faulk is 20 years old. It will take him a while to get there, if he ever does.
In the 1st take best player available.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Yes Joe, the Bucs can’t be picky but they are. Hence the EDGE is still a problem. I mentioned in a post in Ira’s column, surely Ira your are not counting on the guy from Detroit who is 31 years old to solve the edge problem. I admit like many to being frustrated and surely don’t see the Bucs plan for this defense. We now have the worst corners maybe in the leaugue , Morrison and McColumn, wow . This reminds me of last year when Bowles said Dennis was incredible and he liked the teams depth at LB. Then the EDGE Guy we bring in a 31 year old rotational guy who is going to save the day and another rotational LB. I mean sure it helps. However it seems like adding a one foot brick to cover a 30 foot hole in the wall. I guess they are rebuilding at this point or think the offense can score 40 points a game.
I don’t know , but more and more I see why Evans left , sorry still bothers me. Anyway all I see is more 3/28 for next year.
If somebody sees the logic for this defense please let me know.
Anyway ,yes they are being picky with the EDGE and doing nothing
March 24th, 2026 at 9:36 am
You guys are all over the place.
-Yaya
-AQM
-Nelly
-David Walker
-Mo Kamara
-Rookie
Bosa is just another name, fact is he’s been banged up the last 2-3 seasons and he hasn’t been an impact player since 2021.
Get a young guy, with some bend and more than one rush move in here.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:49 am
I wish the Bucs would focus on the Offensive Line like they do at Edge
You would think a team with 3 O-Line starters with a Bum Knee
And another with concussion concerns, and other issues
Would make this a top priority going into the season
It’s a Buc life, you wouldn’t understand
😍😍
March 24th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Boss is slow as molasses these days, we signed our vet edge hope in Muhammad who is far more in form than present day Joey Bosa.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:51 am
New DL coach, Marcus West, came from Buffalo so knows Bosa from last year. His numbers last year look similar to YaYa but with sllghtly fewer snaps. Five forced fumbles and 5 sacks isn’t bad. Bosa was moved around the Bills front last year and was productive from the left side where the Bucs are very week.
However, Spotrac has his market value at $13.7M so the ‘thrifty’ Glazers won’t want him.
March 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
“However, Spotrac has his market value at $13.7M so the ‘thrifty’ Glazers won’t want him.”
First, that’s too much money for Bosa.
Second, as 1 player at this point of his career is he worth twice as much as AQM?
Doubt it.
March 24th, 2026 at 10:05 am
No to Bosa and Faulk. Enough of the old guys and reaches for potential. Don’t we have a scouting staff?
March 24th, 2026 at 10:19 am
Look at the contract the Patriots gave to OG Alijah Vera-Tucker. Huge portion of his compensation tied to per game bonuses and performance. Bosa’s been hurt way too many times not to make his deal heavily incentive laden.
March 24th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Faulk is a tweener and I don’t see it with him
March 24th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joey Bosa is more 4-3 DE than 3-4 OLB. There’s no way he can cover passes 20 yards down field. Besides, the guy probably wants $30 million.
March 24th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Need competition across the board. Great competition creates quality depth, quality depth creates a good team. Not one position on this team should be guaranteed other than Wirfs & Goedeke. Everyone else should be competing for their job
March 24th, 2026 at 10:41 am
sign him. Let’s see what sticks. Anything can help this Putrid Pass Defense.
March 24th, 2026 at 10:49 am
JPP is coming back. He was the difference last year, for sure. He proved the Bucs don’t need a pass rush to perform the way Todd wants.
3rd and 28
2-7
61-74
1-3
March 24th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Why?
We have 5 OLBs already…
– Diaby
– Muhammad
– Nelson
– Walker
– Braswell
Plus the Bucs may add another throught the draft.
How many mediocre pass rushers do you need Joe?
Ridiculous.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Bosa is a decent risk. It’s only Glazer money and if the contract is written correctly, low risk, high reward. At least he had a track record of getting to the QB.
Faulk? God no. 10 sacks in 3 years? No thanks. If he didn’t do it in college, the chances he’ll do it in the pros is even lower. Another JTS in waiting.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Strengthen the middle of the defense and our ends and outside linebacker’s will get better as will the secondary. We can’t afford to eff up this draft. Gotta get some football players ready to go day one. The good news is there are some. I don’t think they are the guys with the best raw athletic scores though. Look for the guys that made huge plays over and over again and helped to make their defenses better.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:30 am
All you clowns turning your noses up in the air are acting like we are a good defensive team. What a joke. We are what we are, a 3rd and 28 team. Until we break out of our current mind-set we are going to sit in Nowwhere Land. Bring in anyone who can rush and fog the mirror for a tryout and sign heavy incentive contract. But, don’t worry the 49rs are looking at him, so forget our chances with Bosa.
Diaby– -Looking for help from the other side
Muhammed- -Unknown what we have
Nelson- -a lifelong sub
Walker- -A ghost
Braswell- -A joke
Yea, we’re loaded with edge rushers!
March 24th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Bring in Bosa is a losing mentality. Didn’t seeing Davis and Dean miss multiple games put that theory to bed. The Bucs forced Dean out of Tampa when they reduced his pay in 2025. Why pay him full time when you received part time play.
Go on and keep swinging for the fences.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:35 am
I wouldn’t be surprised by Vega Ione at #15. Not sold on Faulk.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Joey had a good season last year. He would be a good addition.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Like others said above he may not fit well in the scheme though being 280 lbs
March 24th, 2026 at 11:55 am
“All you clowns turning your noses up in the air are acting like we are a good defensive team. What a joke. We are what we are, a 3rd and 28 team.”
$10M for a guy with less production than a guy we signed for $6M. An extra $4M for the recognizable name?
March 24th, 2026 at 11:59 am
So…I wouldn’t sign him as a starter. Too fragile. But…he might be worth signing at a very low price on the condition that he makes the final roster.
We need a good veteran. And he hasn’t missed that many games the last 2 years.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Honestly…I would offer a 6th rounder for Maxx Crosby instead. The Raiders are not going to get a better offer at this point, and they would offload his salary.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Badbucs Says:
March 24th, 2026 at 10:05 am
No to Bosa and Faulk. Enough of the old guys and reaches for potential. Don’t we have a scouting staff?
_________
I hear you.
You would think that at some point over the last decade someone would have said, “hey, why don’t we hire the DL scout from a team like the Ravens, Steelers or Texans (recently) so we can draft better?”
Scout better=draft better JL!!
March 24th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
They have Walker and Muhammad at one edge and Diaby at the other. They could go with that or draft another. Everybody here seems to forget David Walker when he could be *very* good! I’d almost rather they take a DT or LB. Maybe they trade back and draft Hill Jr. AND Rodriguez at LB. They would be set for a long, long time there! Could play Anzalone on third downs as they develop their coverage chops.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
PS- Bosa is TERRIBLE against the run. It burns your eye sockets he’s so bad. It would trash our defense pretty good to put him in there unless it was only on passing downs.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Bucs have what they need at Edge right now. Actually, we have what we can AFFORD right now. IF we finish beefing up our DLine, these OLBs will feast.
Back in 2018 the Bucs’ defense finished with only 38 sacks & 93 QB hits under Mike Smith then Mark Duffner. We started McCoy (6 sacks) & Beau Allen (0 sacks) at DT that year, with Nassib (6.5 sacks) & JPP (12.5 sacks) at DE (in a 4-3 defense), but also had rookie Vita Vea (3 sacks). That was a beefy DLine, and those 4 starters & Vea ended up with 29 sacks & 62 QB hits. The rest of the defense didn’t do much, and that’s probably why the defense ranked #31 & the Bucs finished 5-11 that season.
When Bowles took over as DC in 2019, he added Ndamukong Suh & Shaq Barrett as veterans, then a bunch of rookies in the back end (and Devin White as a MLB & Nelson as an OLB). Sacks rose to 47 that year & QB hits to 117, with Vea (2.5 sacks) & Suh (2.5 sacks) starting in the interior, and JPP (8.5 sacks) & Shaq (19.5 sacks) starting as OLBs, with Nassib rotating in (6 sacks). That was still a beefy DLine & those 4 starters plus Nassib got 39 sacks & 90 QB hits. That beefy, veteran DLine & OLBs feasted IOW.
Have previously done a number of analyses of the next years (2020-2025) under Todd Bowles, but my conclusions have always come out the same. Bowles’ defense do much better if he has hard-nosed, beastly veterans in there to kick a$$ in the interior DLine. The OLBs feast because of the havoc the NT & DTs create.
Right now we’re missing the replacement for Greg Gaines (he’s still available, but he’s not the answer). The big dogs we’ve used who were Top Rnd picks (Vea, Suh) set the tempo AND got nice individual stats. We’ve also spent Top Rnd picks on smaller guys (Hall, Kancey) but they haven’t gotten nearly the same results as the Big Dogs. This is THE YEAR to add 1 more Big Dog to our interior DLine with a Top Rnd pick. It’ll pay huge dividends, not just this season but next season when Vea, Robinson, Diaby & Muhammed (and othes) are all UFAs.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Lakeland Says:
March 24th, 2026 at 9:49 am
I wish the Bucs would focus on the Offensive Line like they do at Edge
BINGO!!!!!
FINALLY, someone speaking my language!!!!!
select Kadyn Proctor in the 1st round from Bama and double dip by selecting Josh Braun in the 5th….
round 2-4 select CB/DT/DE and round 6 BPA
Best Case: Kadyn shows he’s a stud from day1 and locks down the RG spot, making Mauch QUALITY depth in a contract year who can also be traded…
Worse Case: Mauch returns to form, Kadyn serves as QUALITY depth until Licht decides if he wants to keep & extend Mauch or cut/trade Brendeson…
Yes our OL won against the 9ers and Sea early in the season but if we dont fix the OL, Baker will have several games like DET and LAR!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 24th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Which big dog are you thinking, DR? This is not a good draft for DT’s…not at all.
March 24th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
The value would not be there for the price. If you can’t get the skill, get the depth at a good value. As far as the draft is concerned, I’m all for more D-line help, but you have to get the most value out of 1st and 2nd round picks and the O-line needs help as well. Games are won in the trenches.
March 24th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
It really doesn’t matter with our “Defensive Guru” at the helm. Everyone regresses in his defensive scheme. Some just quicker than others. The only time they “ball out” is in a contract year. Even then that contract year doesn’t have to be fantastic, Licht will reward them handsomely anyhow. His idea of a solid ball player wouldn’t fly with most teams in the NFL.
3rd & 28!
March 24th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
StPeteMatt … ‘Which big dog are you thinking, DR? This is not a good draft for DT’s…not at all.’
Au contraire Matt. But it all depends on how high the Bucs are willing to draft a NT/DT. In any event, no more midgets; want lots of beef with an really bad attitude. Whoever we pick may very well have to replace Vita Vea after this year (he’s a UFA in 2027 & may very well want too much $$$ for a then 32-year-old Nose Tackle.
I love everything I’ve seen & read about Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald (6’2″ & 326 lbs). Got 3 sacks, 2 FF & 65 tackles in 2025 playing against quality opponents. Walter Football describes him as having ‘size, quickness, athleticism, power & tenacity, with great upside to improve as he gains experience’, all qualities I loves in DLinemen. He’s my #1 choice (they list him as the #3 DT choice). Florida’s Caleb Banks (6’6″ & 327 lbs) is my 2nd choice, with Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter (6’4″ & 325 lbs) being a 3rd choice. More than likely though, all 3 will be gone before we get to our Rnd 2 pick.
March 24th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
You could have Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White in their prime. They’d produce results equivalent to Tryon-Showinka or Braswell. It doesn’t matter who the Bucs draft or sign.
March 24th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Just go get him and keep adding talent to the D line!!!
March 24th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Faulk is a bust. Please do not draft or I will puke. Clowney 2.0
March 24th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Joe you are right. The Bucs need to stack edge rushers like the Eagles do.
March 24th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
If the Bucs do sign this Bosa (and I hope they do not) he can share a tub with Kancey.
March 24th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
And for those that are banking on David Walker – seriously? The dude hasn’t played one snap of NFL ball and coming off a significant knee injury? You honestly believe he will make an impact? Not to mention he has to learn this defense. I just hope he can earn a spot and a role. Hope I am wrong and he gives this pass rush some juice. I am just trying to temper my ’26 expectations of him.
March 24th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
No idea how Walker would play, but his highlight film he’s like Godzilla rampaging through Tokyo and he kicked butt in senior bowl practices so there’s some potential there. Incredible stats too- though not Div 1 of course. As far as McDonald and Banks they both have flaws. Banks is the better pass rusher but neither one is great or they’d be going in the top 6 or 7 picks. Consider that. They could easily turn out to be pedestrian or A’shawn level. I have a feeling the Bucs are thinking Styles/Mesidor/Hill Jr. and would love to land 2 of 3. The only way that could happen is if they trade down a bit and get a little lucky. I’d like the extra meat in the middle too but maybe there is someone they can take later? Probably not a huge difference in productivity…?
March 24th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
I mean having Walker work out and having Mesidor and YaYa – plus Hill Jr. our pressure packages would move from like level 1 to 11! Hill’s a great blitzer and has bend to play some OLB too if wanted. He could certainly flex and blitz.
There will be a LOT MORE sacks and turnovers this year if we get all that to happen.
March 24th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
He may be worth a shot at the right price they should bring him in for a physical &.workout. The Bucs should do as is suggested & offer the Raiders a 5th or 6th rounder for Crosby. After he flunked the Raven physical were not hearing much about interest in him. Remember the Bucs had a shot at Micah the Packer but failed because our brain trust thought the price would be too steep.it wasn’t though so offer (it could happen ) Crosby has a expensive contract & we should have a little cash after keeping Bowles chased ME13 west, the Bucs may be one of the few teams with the cash to meet hIs rediculious contract they should at least try. Hire a Defensive Cordinator & change our Defensive scheme , that isn’t gonna happen but its the ti.e of year to imagine, right? It works in Philly & the Raiders brought in a bunch of Kirbys boys , Crosby may want a change ,at least ask BUCS3.COMMENTS
March 24th, 2026 at 11:34 pm
We need a Def side first draft pick, maybe even second too. However, I would be ok with guard Ioane, he’s a game changing player.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:31 am
Here’s the genius of this offseason.
In 2002 the Bucs traded two first rounders and two second rounders to the Raiders for Jon Gruden.
Given Bowles stellar reputation as a mastermind, he must be in high demand. Jason is looking to Trade Todd for some premium picks. That’s it. It’s gonna happen except some lucky team will receive the next Super Bowl winning head coach and the Bucs will receive a ham sandwich and half a can of warm light beer. Win win.
Genius by the GM.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:58 am
Injuries have hurt this team the last 2 years. That and some lack of talent on the defense. It’s not Bowles. Never was. And that’s also why he still has his job. They are working their way through a long term plan. That much is evident. Draft the corners first because they typically take a couple years to develop. Now start attacking the front 7. Offense is in great shape and they want to keep it that way if they can avoid injuries.
March 25th, 2026 at 7:10 am
I still think the problem the Bucs have is the years of compounding misses by Licht on high value picks. He’s done well with his o-line and wr picks. But his love of high RAS score that they can “coach up”, hasn’t worked. Every time he misses, then future drafts are back to filling missed needs, instead of picking for depth and next man up.
Year Round 1 Picks
Round 2 Picks
2025 Emeka Egbuka (WR) – hit
Benjamin Harrison – reach on an injured player. Jury still out
2024 Graham Barton (OL) – decent so far
Chris Braswell (OLB) – miss
2023 Calijah Kancey (DL) – again reach with injury history and too small.
Cody Mauch (G) – been decent. Contract year.
2022 None (Traded out)
Logan Hall (DL), – miss for the pick value
Luke Goedeke (G) – been good even though the intent was guard
2021 Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (OLB) – miss
Kyle Trask (QB) – miss
2020 Tristan Wirfs (T) – hit
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) – hit
2019 Devin White (ILB) – just so so. Initially produced, then fell off
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) – decent
2018 Vita Vea (DT) – hit
Ronald Jones (RB), – miss
M.J. Stewart (CB), – miss
Carlton Davis (CB) – oft injured but productive when healthy
2017 O.J. Howard (TE) – miss
Justin Evans (S) – miss
2016 Vernon Hargreaves (CB) – miss
Noah Spence (DE), – miss
Roberto Aguayo (K) – miss
2015 Jameis Winston (QB) – miss
Donovan Smith (T), – decent
Ali Marpet (G) – hit
2014 Mike Evans (WR) – big hit
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE) – miss
March 25th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Great comment by Newbie here. If we go get Bosa, he and Kancey can share lullabies in the rehab tub together. LMAO.