The Lowly Edge Rush
March 27th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
It seems Mina Kimes is almost as exasperated as Bucs fans.
Year after year, people, including Joe, holler about the edge rush. More to the point: People holler about no edge rush.
The Bucs seem to want to get an edge rush, at least some people (not all). They draft guys and they sign guys and still, no fear of a consistent edge rush.
Whether you want to blame players who just take a Team Glazer paycheck and run, or to blame the front office for not scouting the right guy — or to blame Todd Bowles for not developing the guy oe because edge rushers just might struggle defending a receiver 20 yards downfield, it’s Groundhog Day at One Buc Palace since Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett grew old.
Every year, there’s big talk. Every year, there’s crazy, unfounded hype from the team (last year, it was Chris Braswell shocking the football world). Every year, quarterbacks have enough time to drink an overpriced lukewarm Miller Lite.
Kimes sounded like a Bucs fan when she brought up the Bucs’ edge rush.
“Like, edge has been needed for this team now since the Super Bowl run,” Kimes said on her podcast this week. “YaYa Diaby is a good player. They brought in Al-Quadin Muhammad, who was good in Detroit.
“But this is, to me, continues to be something they need more from is that four-man rush has just not been good enough.”
Mike Golic, Jr., who was a guest on her podcast, then chimed in to echo Kimes’ belief the Bucs must somehow, someway develop an edge rush.
“Yeah, [the Bucs were] 20th in pressure rate when not blitzing last year,” Golic added. “So this team desperately needs some juice off the edge that they’re not getting right now.”
Golic added that he “cosigns” what Kimes mentioned about the edge rush.
Joe’s trying to get inside Licht’s head: If he was really sincere when he has stated recently that he believes David Walker will blow up this season (and is not just trying to boost his confidence), and with Muhammad (AQM) and his 11 sacks and 9 tackles for loss off the bench, the Bucs may have something there. If so, yeah, Joe could see Licht not reaching for an edge rusher at No. 15.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:37 am
The Bucs certainly could use a top tier edge rusher, we all know that. The problem is at 15, the Bucs just didn’t suck enough to be in range to grab one in this draft.
IMO (and many others) there are 2 sure fire edge rushers in this draft. Bailey, who is a pure pass rusher and Bain Jr who is a monster who can not only bring the heat, but also set the edge and stuff the run.
Then you have Reese, who may develop into a great edge, but played mostly off ball LBer in college.
All those guys will be gone, leaving a tier of guys that all have question marks. Faulk (unproductive in college), Howell (highly productive, but measurable lacking).
JL will not reach for the 5th or 6th best edge rusher with question marks at 15. Not when he has the chance to possibly land the drafts best Guard, CB, DT or TE.
JL will draft an edge at some point in this draft, I just dont see it at 15. And I agree with Kimes, but know how JL drafts.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:51 am
What we’re missing is a good 4 man rush. Whether it comes from the edge, or the middle we just don’t have 4 players that can apply pressure. Seattle had that to win the superbowl. Their edge rush was good, but their DTs were the real difference. That’s what the Bucs need, four dogs across the board. Some of the all time great defenses had great DT play, not just edge rush. Ever hear of Aaron Donald? The fixation by Joe for edge rush is understandable, it’s bad, but so is the play of our DTs, LBs, and secondary. One edge rusher won’t fix all that.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:58 am
One more time. They cannot draft and edge in the first or second round.
Those two picks MUST be day one defensive starters THIS season. NT, LB, DB most likely. More likely they stay with what they have, pray Brasswell gets better and sign one of the remaining FAs Edge players after June 1.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:59 am
yes, this Putrid Pass Defense will be the Achilles heel of this team again unless there is significant improvement. No reason why the Offense will not be very good. C’mon Todd-we have no choice but to have faith in you at this point.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:06 am
Didn’t I just read an article on this here site saying the Bucs SHOULDN’T draft a DE in the first because our staff couldn’t develop him? I’m confused.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:11 am
There is always the HOPE strategy. Hope Cancey stays healthy, Hope David Walker is a player, Hope Braswell gets better. If that happens AShawn and AQM
Wil prove to be upgrades and Diaby should up his sacks number.
Lets HOPE.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Believe it when I see it, but I am glad you mentioned David Walker. Totally forgot about him. He showed a lot of promise, but as usual… They don’t do anything to go after a big name, a known quantity. They rest their hopes on what may be and we know how that’s been working out
March 27th, 2026 at 8:16 am
What’s Braswell’s issue, lack of muscle?
March 27th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Also for anyone who thinks Faulk is the guy to pick:
Faulk = Braswell
If you didn’t produce in a big way in college, You aren’t probably productive in the NFL
March 27th, 2026 at 8:19 am
We need an impact player, I agree with other posters. Reaching for a rusher whom is not a sure thing would suck. Maybe Licht trades down? Maybe he trades back for a pick next year when the QB class is much, much better?
March 27th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Well, it’s not like they haven’t tried! They have just failed to draft or sign the right player. The players who have left haven’t amounted to anything with other teams, so it’s not like we didn’t develop a superstar in waiting. How about not worrying about how nice they are and drafting real football players?
March 27th, 2026 at 8:42 am
…Joe could see Licht not reaching for an edge rusher at No. 15.”
– – – – – – – – – –
“reaching”? The 2nd most important position on an NFL team. The MOST important position on D for an NFL team. And most seem resigned to not take an edge at #15 bc WHY WASTE THE PICK when Bowles can’t/won’t develop him?
And, sadly, I agree, Todd won’t, never has, never will develop an edge rusher, not even with all the resources that have already been expended on the position, JTS, shocking Braswell, $14M Reddick, 4th rd never played David Walker. Why won’t Todd develop an edge? Because sacks from the edge are not important, so this will never change as long as Todd is HC and DC
If that is not a testament to replacing Todd, I don’t know what is.
Well, the good news is we will draft and develop an edge next year, when Todd is fired. And the new HC will have a great room of TEs after the Bucs take Michael Trigg at #15
March 27th, 2026 at 8:45 am
mila kunas > mina kimes
March 27th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Joe, I think Licht and Bowles think they have the edge covered. To me they both seem to have their head stuck in the sand. Last year Reddick and Braswell were going to be incrediable. This year Diaby and the guy from Detroit. However, maybe we are better if we don’t draft one at 15. Number 1 , yes they have a poor history at drafting edge guys, 2, Most edge guys really don’t show up for a couple of years, many don’t pan out at all. We also desperately need 2 more really, really good LBS. Well and unless you believe Morrison and McColumn are all that, the Bucs really need a corner. My tought draft a LB and a shut down corner first two rounds and move Parrish to one of the corner positions. Tell McColumn and Morrison they are on the bench until they can prove otherwise. The EDGE GUY, I don’t have an answer unles the can swing a trade for Garrett or Crosby.If they can’t then maybe draft the TE everyone one is talking about and work on getting the offense to score 40 points a game.
However, with the current corners we have and lack of an edge player and MLB , I think the team is doomed . Like I said Bowles and Licht are drinking to much of their own kool aid. Long live 3-28 folks
March 27th, 2026 at 8:51 am
@joe Todd Bowels Jr to the rescue! FML
March 27th, 2026 at 9:11 am
One simply cannot “develop” an edge rusher or any other player for that matter. The player HAS to have the tools to get the job done, unless the staff is trying to reinvent the wheel, use him out of position, etc. You have to have players, plural to develop a team. They have to have a heartbeat first, many here didn’t qualify. Need to love to play and not for a paycheck. Know a guy that did and set him up for a successful life after football but he was a huge MEH on the field and soon forgotten. THAT is not what you want for this team.
March 27th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Quickest way for our season to go straight down the toilet is…well, of course, losing our QB. Mayfield has started over 120 games in his 8 years and that makes him the 4th most durable QB in the history of the game through 8 seasons. He’s never had a leg “cut on”. But shlt happens and I think Browning is an upgrade. WBL has turned me on to a small school QB, name of Jack Strand. Wait on extending Baker, draft 6 of 7 defense and sign a swing OLineman. But save one lower pick for this Strand kid. Whether Baker is here in 2027 or not, oughta take a swing on this QB.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Assuming Bailey, Baines and Styles are gone, what do the Bucs do at 15?
1) Trade back if possible to get an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick.
2) Do you want the best DT, the 4th or 5th best DE or 2nd best ILB at pick #15? I feel like there is going to be a run on DTs and ILBs in the late 1st and early 2nd before the Bucs are back on the clock. There are a good number of DEs that will go in the 2nd rd (6 or 7) and one will be there for the Bucs. Yes I believe the 2nd round will see a lot of quality D players come off the board and why I endorse trading back. So if the Bucs absolutely must pick at #15, go with the highest DT you have on the board (Baker, Hunter or MacDonald).
3) Get the DE in the 2nd and a less than very good ILB in the 3rd.
4) Hope and pray Styles falls to 15.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:25 am
Sorry. 6 QBs in history have started 120 games or more in their first 8 seasons. Both Mannings, Brees, Flacco, Russell Wilson, and Baker. 5 of those QBs out of those 6 won at least one Super Bowl. Let’s draft some beef on our defensive front 7 and make that 6 out of 6.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:41 am
In this defense an edge rusher will never be effective. Saban said it best, about Braswell. “He’d be fine if they would let him rush the QB.”
The job of an edge, in this defense, is to drop into coverage on passing downs, so he cannot rush the QB. Pure physics – he cannot be in two places at the same time.
Let the edge guys rush, you have seven defensive backs to cover five receivers. Somebody needs to learn math?
March 27th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Edge Rushers will never be effective unless your interior defense is disruptive
Every successful defense has a disruptive front 3 or 4, depends on 3-4 or 4-3
Then the back 3 or 4 (Linebackers) are free to make plays
If you’re not getting penetration from your front, you’re getting nothing from the back
That’s just how it works
March 27th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Gbobucsfan
DEs play next to DT (nose tackle) Vea. OLB in the 3-4 are the edge rushers we seem to have an issue drafting and developing. Our DE have been undersized for the most part under Bowles. Newly acquired A. Robinson is an exception at 320 or so. We need to draft another big one to go on the other side and to spell Vea. DE Kancey is often hurt and sometimes overmatched against the big guards. We definitely need to draft a plus sized DE or DT along with an edge. Where in the draft is the question. By the 15th pick the 3 or 4 best prospects will be gone. The value will be at other positions.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:51 am
The only way this team will get an edge rush with 4 players and not blitzing is when both Bowles and Licht are gone. You can cry about it all you want but it just is not going to happen. This is a bottom of the barrel defense and the patches Licht puts in each year never work. One thing for sure is that the Bucs will never be able to develop an edge rusher they draft. Every year same excuses and same stupid moves by Licht. The guy is just as myopic as Bowles. Quit crying, they are never going to listen. Just enjoy another lost season…..
March 27th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
I am Praying that Braswell can Become something anything in year 3 sometime it takes Pass Rushers 3 years to develop In the NFL so let’s pray him an Walker can both do something anything to get Pressure on the QB if they can an AQM can get 7-8 sacks this defense will be fine I still think the Bucs need to Draft an edge in rounds 1 or 2 I like Howell at 15 but there are plenty of other guys you can get in round 2-3 even this is the draft to need OLBs an LBs an Bucs need Both
March 27th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Lakeland Says:
“If you’re not getting penetration from your front, you’re getting nothing from the back”
That’s what SHE said…..
March 27th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Whoa, Pickgrin! Dragging Lakeland into your depravity!
March 27th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
OLDSCHOOL1976 … ‘They cannot draft and edge in the first or second round. Those two picks MUST be day one defensive starters THIS season. NT, LB, DB most likely. More likely they stay with what they have.’
That right there is a great summary of NEEDS for Rnds 1-3 … NT, LB, DB. Will Jason accept those & draft accordingly? Doubtful. He seems to love to do the unexpected. Example: Roberto Aquayo with Pick 59 in the 2016 draft. OJ Howard at Pick 19 in the 2017 draft. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka with Pick 32 in the 2021 draft, followed by Kyle Trask with Pick 64 in the same draft. That’s what Jason does; always trying to ‘out-think everyone’. Works well when the rest of the NFL is asleep & someone like Wirfs falls in his lap (Tristan was the FOURTH Tackle taken at Pick 13 in that 2020 draft; what was the rest of the NFL thinking by-passing him 3 times?).
Bucs’ NEEDS for STARTERS are pretty straight-forward right now. We NEED 1 more starting DT (to replace Gaines) and we NEED 1 more starting ILB (to replace LVD). After that, in terms of NEEDED DEPTH, I’d say we NEED at least 1 more starter-quality CB (McCollum & Morrison missed 11 games last season), 1 more ILB (AFTER we draft 1), 1 more Guard (for depth), and 1 more TE (please let him know how to block). Those are our biggest NEEDS IMO.
March 27th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
I’m with OLDSCHOOL1976: Generally speaking, people who perform well in anything after moving up a level over-performed at the level below. It’s not like the NFL is going to be easier than college ball.
March 27th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
DR. Kieft is a heck of a blocker, so is Cade. We’re set at TE. Durham and Culp have been in the system awhile, too. If Robinson likes 2 tight end sets we’ve got it covered. I agree with everything you said above but we’ve got us a new whiz kid QB coach and passing game coordinator and we are set up to have a bonafide QB room. Since we should have 4 arms going in it might not be a bad idea to gamble a later round shot on a QB. Take a look at this Jack Strand. He looks like a potential NFL starter to me. When all we need is a top shelf backup. And I’m afraid Browning is a mid shelf backup.
March 27th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Wonderful how we’re scrambling rn bcuz of the bust Braswell pick, the world shocker.
How do we need to fix Edge but Dont.
If Im 5 picks away from landing a better Edge than Mesidor or Faulk,
5 picks away … then go get him. We need an Edge.
We can draft the next LVD, but we’ll still need guess what
March 27th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
“Like, edge has been needed for this team now since the Super Bowl run,” – Mina Kimes
What an air head. Remind me why her opinion means anything?
News flash, Bowles doesn’t believe in a pass rush!!!!
That will never change. But one thing will certainly change the Bucs pass rush.
FIRE BOWLES NOW!!!!!!!!!
March 27th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Lakeland says:
“Edge rushers will never be effective u less you interior defense is disruptive. ”
Just not true. Sure having DT that can push the pocket certainly helps any edge rusher. But it doesn’t mean their haven’t been plenty of good edge rushers that are effective without great interior help.
See LeyRoy Selmon. Peppers. Kevin Green. Strahan…etc etc
With Vita, Kancey, A Robinson and YaYa coming off the opposite edge, they have enough for an edge rusher to come in and be effective.
Problem is, the really good ones will be gone at 15 and the better value will be at other positions like DT, OL, CB.
March 27th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
BadBucs … ‘We definitely need to draft a plus sized DE or DT along with an edge. Where in the draft is the question. By the 15th pick the 3 or 4 best prospects will be gone. The value will be at other positions.’
I agree with your conclusion, except that I think we can get a beastly DT/NT at #15. Well, if most of the mock drafts are anywhere close that is. I looked thru a number of them quickly, and only TWO had DTs taken before our Rnd 1 #15 pick (and both of those took Caleb Banks). After we pick they go fast, and the top DTs probably will be gone by our Rnd 2 pick.
March 27th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Kenton … ‘Take a look at this Jack Strand. He looks like a potential NFL starter to me. When all we need is a top shelf backup. And I’m afraid Browning is a mid shelf backup.’
I agree; Jack Strand looks very interesting. (I always chuckle though when article after article labels him ‘a sleeper’ to pay attention to; not exactly a ‘sleeper’ if everyone’s noticing him).
I like his size (6’5″ & 240 lbs) and his speed (4.86 sec 40). Pro Draft Scouting lists him as the #12 QB, and forecasts he’ll be a Rnd 6-7 pick. I agree with you about using our Rnd 6 pick to grab someone like that. Incredible Div II college career just might translate into the pick of the century. No guts no glory.
March 27th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Caleb Banks is terrific kid and story but no one can play in NFL with broken feet.
March 27th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Clarify: nothing wrong with drafting DL at #15. Round one, however, should not be used for chronic injuries.
March 27th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Bowles needs to substitute-in his best pass rushers on passing downs:
AQM on right side
Kancey (assuming 2024 productivity)
Elijah Roberts (yes he’s the third best pass rusher/snap)
YaYa on left side
That means no Vita, no A’Shawn, no Walker.
March 27th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Just don’t draft another Braswell. No more, “they have a lot of potential” picks. I am around a lot of life-long ALA fans and I had only one guy tell me he knew who Braswell was, but said he never lived up to his potential. So, why would you draft a guy like that? If he didn’t live up to his potential in college, what makes you think he’ll do it now? He only had 10.5 sacks over 40 games in college. Explains why he only has 2.5 sacks in two NFL seasons.
March 27th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Maybe Tampa is the mystery team working behind the scenes for Myles Garrett?! Nah…but if they’d take Braswell, a bag of K balls and the dirty bomb contract of Zyon…then I’m all for it. That “haul” is probably 2 1st rounders and a “good” player short.
March 27th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Try having lock down corners and playing man press coverage. Soft zone always has a hole to hit and the other teams know it like the back of their hands by now. Rookie and backup qbs dont throw for career numbers against bolwes by coincidence. Hes predictable and easy to beat. Its not the talent..Logan hall will be THE prime example of this in Houston this season.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
Say guys the Browns just delayed paying Myles Garrett a due Bonus. Maybe they are going to dangle him again? If so, I’d give up a 1st this yr and a 1st next year for him. Now just Dream…of a Bucs front four with Garrett. Shere pandamonium, striking terror on opposing QB’s. Ok, you can wake up now. It was just a Dream……
March 27th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I wasn’t aware of this Strand DR until I heard WBL yapping about him. I just watched film, didn’t know too much more. But the guy is a gunslinger, I think he threw 35 TD passes last year and he was slinging into some tight windows. He may be 12th in the draft but I bet not many of the 11 below him had more TD tosses. Competition not quite D1 but still. These QB guru’s we’ve seemed to have grabbed this offseason – let’s see if they can develop a good one. Baker had Kyler Murray as his backup at OU and when you’re a football fan it’s a good thing not having to worry about your QB going down.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Its times like this you wonder why in the f@@@ we dont trade a 1st rounder and whatever else to secure our Edge and get this over with
March 27th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Bowels is still head-coach ?
March 27th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Lay off of the soft zone n give ur pass rushers time to rush the passer. Simple af.
March 27th, 2026 at 10:11 pm
Practice our guys playing 3 yards from the line.
March 27th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
With Vita, Kancey, A Robinson and YaYa coming off the opposite edge, they have enough for an edge rusher to come in and be effective.
And now you’re rushing 5. You’re now blitzing. You can’t do that every time, hence one of the edges is usually dropping into coverage. Where I have the issue, is instead of an dominant edge, all the FANCY, corner or safety blitzes that didn’t seem to make it home in 2025. Bowles is so predictable every defensive coordinator knows what he’s going to do.