Through three games, second-year outside linebacker David Walker has been Tampa's best pass rusher. Head coach Todd Bowles says the youngster has earned more playing time.
Heading into Week 4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need as much help as they can get.
The Bucs are 0-3, which is usually a death kiss in the NFL. However, Tampa is fortunate to play in the NFC South, where every other team is only 1-2. Last season, only eight wins were needed to win the division. The same may be true this year as well.
Unfortunately for the Bucs, they have given few reasons for anyone to be confident they can turn things around before it is too late.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to be out for at least the next three games with a dislocated thumb, forcing the team to turn to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to keep the Bucs within striking distance.
The coaching has been terrible, leading many to believe that HC Todd Bowles' days in Tampa are numbered.
Tampa's margin for error is pretty much non-existent as the team heads into its Week 4 showdown against the Green Bay Packers.
While the team is hoping Daniels can provide a spark for the offense, the defense, especially the pass rush, could use a spark of its own.
The Bucs only have six total sacks through the first three games, despite all of the high-profile additions made this offseason to the defensive front seven.
That is not what the organization envisioned after pouring so many resources into improving the pass rush. Perhaps most disappointing and surprising has been the lack of impact from star rookie Rueben Bain Jr., who has been invisible in his two games before missing Week 3 with injuries.
One player who provided consistent pass-rushing juice is David Walker. The second-year outside linebacker, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, has two of the team’s six sacks.
Walker leads the team in sacks despite barely playing. He didn’t see any defensive snaps in the season opener. Walker got only nine snaps the following week before being on the field for 19 plays this past Sunday. Walker has recorded a sack in consecutive games despite very limited opportunities.
According to Bowles, that is about to change.
Bowles was asked if Walker would start receiving more snaps and was quick to confirm that he would.
“Definitely,” Bowles answered, “He’s earned them.”
Final Thoughts
More Walker is great news for Tampa’s pass rush.
Frankly, it's surprising that it has taken this long, especially after how impressive Walker looked in training camp.
Better late than never. The Bucs need as much help as they can get, and Walker’s presence on passing downs should provide plenty.
While Walker still must improve great against the run to be a three-down player, he should be out there as much as possible in passing situations.
