NFL.com Analyst: Bucs Need To Trade Up So They Can Solve The Pass Defense
April 17th, 2025
Georgia ILB/edge rusher Jalon Walker.
Since both Jason Pierre-Paul and Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett finally got caught from behind by Father Time, the Bucs’ edge rush has been a downright embarrassment to sober fans.
(Joe assumes if you drink enough on Sundays, you won’t notice the abject absence of an edge rush and on Mondays you’ll be so hungover you won’t care.)
Now the Bucs brass finally broke down this offseason and went out and found a veteran, established, quality edge rusher: Haason Reddick. Whew, let Joe wipe his brow!
But Lance Zierlein, the NFL.com film guru, seems to think signing Reddick was smart, he may only be a temporary stop-gap.
Let’s be real: No one, not Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, not Bucs coach Todd Bowles, not even Reddick himself, knows if he will be around in 2026. Reddick will be 31 in September. That is the danger zone for stud edge rushers.
Zierlein feels the Bucs need to solve their edge rush problem once and for all and the team needs to quit farting around with this albatross. So Zierlein lobbies on NFL.com for the Bucs to trade up and grab one of the best edge rushers in the draft, Georgia’s Jalon Walker.
Lance Zierlein
Draft AnalystI would like to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade up from No. 19 overall to Pick 5, 6 or 7 and target Jalon Walker from Georgia. Now, they don’t have additional draft picks this year, so it could sting a little bit to come all the way up from 19, but this would be a fun trade because the Bucs need an off-ball linebacker and more pass-rush help. Walker is a hybrid player who can offer some of both.
Most edge rushers from Georgia are all bark, no bite. But defensive tackles and linebackers? Georgia is a friggin’ Ford factory for those positions.
The Bucs appear to be a whole lot more comfortable about their inside linebacker position than people outside One Buc Palace. Joe isn’t sure if this is smokescreen gamesmanship or not.
The prospect of finding a quality edge rusher? Joe’s down with that!
If this awesome video of Walker does not appear, click here.)
2 minutes of Georgia LB Jalon Walker absolutely getting after it on All-22:
• A well-rounded defensive leader with elite intangibles & unwavering effort. A true jack-of-all-trades for your team [More Below]
Hope You Enjoy… https://t.co/M4udmb1Vlb pic.twitter.com/HmETz0awTJ
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) April 4, 2025
April 17th, 2025 at 7:08 am
what is this guy smoking ?
April 17th, 2025 at 7:22 am
if Dennis is healthy, I feel incredible about our LB pairing. in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dennis threatened David for best LB on the field in the not-too-distant future. Dude’s a heat-seeking missile.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:23 am
I think the cost to move up that far would be prohibitive, unless Jamel Dean was part of the deal
April 17th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Too rich !
April 17th, 2025 at 7:28 am
Two chances of this happening: SLIM and NONE. Come stronger with the content Joe this is not Madden football video game.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Fun trades. SMH. How much are you going to give up to move to 5th? Too rich for a successful team with SB aspirations. Let this draft come to you and see if one of your top picks is there. If so….pounce. If not, trade down if they’re any takers.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:32 am
Claims he’s a jack off all trades. Shows 15 clips of him rushing the passer, 2 clips of him getting a TFL on a running back and 0 clips of him in coverage.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:33 am
“(Joe assumes if you drink enough on Sundays, you won’t notice the abject absence of an edge rush pass rush and on Mondays you’ll be so hungover you won’t care about the lack of an edge rush.)”
It’s as if Joe knows Dan.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:34 am
‘Now the Bucs brass finally broke down this offseason and went out and found a veteran, established, quality edge rusher. Whew, let Joe wipe his brow!’
The man has 3 and a half sacks in his last 17 games!!! Joe might need to wipe something but I don’t think it’s his brow….lol
Either Riddick is toast or he was a quitter…not going to cheer for either one !!!!
April 17th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Meh….reminds me of Devin White. More to the position than just running into the backfield, definitely wouldn’t trade up for him. He’s not going to get through NFL lines that efficiently. We need edge rushers, that’s what will make the defense dangerous. All the blitzing while sitting in zone coverage has proven ineffective when we desperately need stops.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Donovan Ezeirukua tape looks jus as impressive if not more. Ezeirukua had 16.5 sacks and 20.5 TFL-He freaking gets after it and is projected at about 19 where the Bucs own a pick. This is the guy if he is available.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Bobby M ‘All the blitzing while sitting in zone coverage has proven ineffective when we desperately need stops.’
Spot on sir !!!!!!!
April 17th, 2025 at 7:57 am
How many first rounders and how many other picks and what rounds?
Interesting though. I’m thinking how that screws up the next few drafts. could we fix the secondary grab a ILB and …
Oops not enough picks to make a differnce this year, or next or next
Only works if a miricle drops a seventh round HOF guy in our laps as well.
Go Bucs!
April 17th, 2025 at 7:57 am
A truly impressive film of Walker’s speed.
Every once in a while there is a speed only rusher that becomes exceptional in the NFL. But not too often.
That film seemed to show speed and pretty nice wing span.
It did not show me any mix of power or hand usage.
If, I am trading up to 5, 6, or 7 — I better see those things as well.
April 17th, 2025 at 8:14 am
This simply is not Lichts style….He is far more likely to trade down and use the extra pick to trade up in later rounds.
April 17th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Joe, how many sacks did he have last year as a top edge rusher?
April 17th, 2025 at 8:21 am
If the Bucs are really in love with an edge guy, no matter which one, I could see them trading up ahead of the Falcons at 15 (w/ Dolphins or Colts). The Falcons are consistently mocked picking edge – so the Bucs could get their coveted edge AND f*** over the Falcons!
I don’t see the Bucs trading up though, I can definitely see trading down and getting an extra pick. The Giants are desperate this year with jobs on the line, they may want to trade up from early rnd2 to make a splash….
April 17th, 2025 at 8:28 am
This is the worst trade proposal ever. Walker is a misfit as an off ball ILB. He struggles in coverage and looks lost against the run. His only calling card is as a Blitzer and a pass rusher. Ezeiruaku is the man for that job
April 17th, 2025 at 8:49 am
E wasnt overly impressed by that footage. BTW, we’re pretty solid at ILB; David, Dennis, Walker Jr., and Dion Jones.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Moving up to pick #5 will be way too costly.
This is a silly suggestion…
The Bucs need every pick they have this draft.
If anything our GM should be exploring a few options to move back in round #1 and add a 2nd or 3rd round pick instead.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Worst idea ever but if Licht is this draft guru why is everyone saying we need an all defensive draft as if we’re drafting 6 starters? Moving up that far is insane no Mike Greene type pass rusher will be there at 19 because they never are. Licht will have to eventually trade up because Reddick is old.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Thinking this is a bad idea, giving up way too much, but I wouldn’t mind having a second Walker on the team at all.
The main impression I got after watching that highlight video is… Kentucky QBs/Olineman must have nightmares still… maybe some PTSD even. LOL
April 17th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Watched this guy in real time and he is really good, running down backs trying to get to the edge and breaking up passes in the flat and being generally disruptive, these clips showed none of that. What these clips DO show is the talent of the Georgia secondary as Walker can sit and spy the QB in some of those clips. I’m not saying to trade up to draft him, I love Ezeiruaku’s tape but still would prefer a DL that can stuff and sack in the 1st.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:34 am
If you can trade up for a 4th-round pick and get back the 6th-rounder that was traded last year—essentially swapping 1st-rounders, giving up a 4th, and regaining a 6th—it could be a smart move. This draft appears to be deep through the third round, but after that, it’s the usual hit-or-miss situation. You’ll find prospects with all the measurables who didn’t produce on the field, and others who were extremely productive but have terrible measurables, making you go back and rewatch the film.(a few small school guys that should be great just don’t have name recognition yet)
So, the strategy becomes either trading back to accumulate as many 2nd and 3rd-round picks as possible, or trading up while still holding onto your top-three-round selections and gaining another late-round “lottery ticket.” That’s what makes this year exciting—the Bucs could go in any direction. One thing is certain: this draft will shape the trajectory of the team for the next five years. The offense looks poised for another 3-5 Super Bowl window.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Evidently the Falcons are very interested in Jalon Walker:
“According to former 92.9 radio host and Atlanta Falcons insider Jeff Benedict, the Falcons have contacted the Jets, inquiring about the seventh overall pick, as Atlanta looks to secure Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker.
“I’m told Falcons have reached out to Jets to swap 7 and 15 as they eye Jalon Walker,” wrote Benedict. “FO [Front Office] wants to make a splash with pass rush and feel that Parsons is no longer attainable.”
He continued, “With Saints and Panthers both needing pass rush, Falcons want to beat them to Walker. If a trade happens, it’ll be a draft night situation and more than likely means they also give up 2026 first as well.”
April 17th, 2025 at 9:45 am
This dudes insane lol Walker is good but I don’t think he is going to be even prime Devin White good… Trading up into the top 10 for LB that isn’t an absolute terror off the edge, who the hell gave this guy his job. Must know someone in the industry…
April 17th, 2025 at 9:50 am
“the Bucs need to solve their edge rush problem once and for all”
There NO problems in the NFL that get solved once and for all!!!
That’s what makes it so exciting! Given the cap and injuries and the rest of the challenges it’s why there is so much parity.
IF Mahomes had gone down for any length of time would the Chiefs be as good?
IF Baker goes down how about the Bucs? Is Trask the real deal. I do not know.
NO team is ever satisfied with their depth. Aside from that the Bucs are ALREADY sitting in a pretty good spot for the upcoming season. A good draft and Buc prospects are truly exciting in ’25. Perhaps that is why a segment here love to hate on Todd because there really isn’t much more to beotch about!!!
April 17th, 2025 at 11:29 am
I wouldn’t necessarily, consider Jalon Walker as a pure EDGE Rusher. I think he’s just a FOOTBALL PLAYER (true leader), who is always around the ball making ‘things’ (good things) HAPPEN. He can do a little bit of it all, which would seem to make him a perfect fit in Todd Bowles system. We all know about his intangibles. Anyway, my perfect dream scenario for the Bucs right now, is that Walker slides and is still on the board at #13. Then, we can make a move with Miami (that was already set in place), by moving-up 6-spots and taking HIM. Annnndd, the deal includes Jalen Ramsey! People were speculating yesterday, that Miami would prob take a 7th for Ramsey at this point! But, I don’t know about all that, since I think the price will be driven up at least a tad… They were ‘spitballing’ on WDAE yesterday, asking would you do it for a 3rd or 4th!? I don’t know what will happen, but if the Bucs could pull it off (Walker AND Ramsey), and restructure Ramsay’s deal, then that would be a HUGE statement. With THIS NFCS Division right now, I’m starting to believe that we might have a little window here, where we need to be thinking ‘All-In’ or at least WIN-NOW. We have a really good opportunity to run through THIS Division and get a ‘First-Round Bye’ AND Home-Field Advantage throughout the Playoffs (as long as Bowles & Bake really steps up and with good ‘health’ all around). I like the sound of a Bucs Defense with Lavonte, Vea, Kancey, YaYa, Bras, Reddick, WALKER, Dennis, Hall, (maybe you take Deone Walker or another DT and a CB later), Winfield Junior, Dean (if he’s still here, maybe he’s part of the Ramsey deal even?), RAMSEY, Izien, Tykee, Zyon, Nelson, Gholston, Gaines. And, a LOADED OFFENSE with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, JMac, Bake, RWhite, Bucky, Tucker, Otton, a nice group of young talented TE’s, & a Top-5 Level O-Line. Usually, I am VERY cautious about all of this ‘ALL-IN’ talk (especially EVERY single year, like A LOT of people on here), BUT I think it makes sense now, with THIS NFCS Division. I say, let’s go for it!!!!
April 17th, 2025 at 11:32 am
“ballwasher61 Says:
April 17th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Watched this guy in real time and he is really good, running down backs trying to get to the edge and breaking up passes in the flat and being generally disruptive,”
Maybe this player would help solve our dismal coverage of backs in the flats, at least on one side of the field?
Didn’t Joe publish a story recently about how poorly rated the Bucs D was covering backs? It’s an area that needs fixing.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:37 am
I thought I read on these here pages that Walker is dropping like a rock. He might be available at 19.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Guy has good eyes, he knew where the ball and the gaps were, at least in that clip package.
Short of packaging the future to go get Hunter, I don’t see a trade up happening. Not to 6 or 7 for Walker anyway.
Draft will come to us and Licht will do his thing, his new-ish thing, where he drafts very well.
April 17th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
He also has 51.5 sacks (and 14 forced fumbles) in his last 76 games!!! THE HORROR!
Guess the Bucs should have brought back Robert Ayers.
Why be such a hater? One bad year with a sh!t team and you act as if the Bucs just re-signed Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Walker got hella closing speed. He plays like a canon.
April 17th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
This is just dumb all around. Walker is not going top 10 first of all.
Secondly – it would require the Bucs 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks to move from #19 to #6. Either that or two 1st round picks (this year and next year’s). Just so this guy can say “that would be fun…”
Talk about throwing crap against the wall…. Nice job Lance Zierlein…. LOL
There’s actually a chance (though slim) that Walker is still on the board at 19…
April 17th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
‘Why be such a hater? One bad year with a sh!t team and you act as if the Bucs just re-signed Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.’
Wasn’t one bad year it was 10 bad games with a decent Jets defense and 7 games with a decent eagles defense.and didn’t that philly team just disintegrate his last year. No reason to call anyone a hater that doesn’t share your opinion.
April 17th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Zierlein lives in the moronosphere.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
No thanks I’d rather have Sawyer or Johnson from Arkansas. 2nd and 3rd rounds. Sawyer is a player both run and pass.