(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
For as good as the Bucs were to get to the divisional round of the playoffs this season, two key aspects of the team hamstrung them from truly contending: their lack of pass rush from the linebacker position and their abysmal run game.
The stats tell a pretty compelling story. Tampa Bay’s five outside linebackers recorded just 122 total pressures per Pro Football Focus, including 22 sacks. For comparison, San Francisco’s starting edge rushers, Nick Bosa and Chase Young, combined for 123 pressures and 13 sacks, and Young was on their roster for just nine games.
Tampa Bay’s run game was worst in the NFL by some pretty meaningful metrics: yards, yards per attempt and success rate. While there may have been some design issues, the Bucs’ offensive line, particularly the interior, was simply bad at run blocking.
Both areas need top-end talent injections, and the Bucs will likely look to the draft to address one (if not both) needs. However, the edge rusher class is thin and lacks immediate impact players. Relying on rookie offensive linemen has been a dangerous proposition for years, as demonstrated by Cody Mauch’s struggles in 2023.
Free agency typically offers more reliable answers for team needs. While the Bucs have cap space, there are few impact pass rushers slated for free agency and likely fewer to actually hit the market. Interior offensive linemen are a little easier to find, but good ones are harder to find and less likely to actually become available. Tampa Bay might need to double up on draft picks and free agents at both areas to maximize their chances of improvement.
