Analyst Ben Solak urges the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to prioritize defensive talent, targeting a game-changing edge rusher and bolstering linebacker and cornerback depth.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the NFL draft with overwhelming needs on the defensive side of the ball, and one NFL analyst said they should "hammer defensive depth" next week.
Ben Solak, an NFL analyst for ESPN, criticized Tampa Bay's draft history under general manager Jason Licht regarding the defensive side of the ball.
"The roster is full of homegrown players with far less success," he wrote on Thursday.
Solak focused on the Buccaneers' lack of edge rushing in prior drafts, saying linebacker Chris Braswell was a "miss." Braswell, the 57th pick in the 2024 draft, has recorded 2.5 sacks over two seasons.
While he has been fully healthy, his production has not earned him additional playing time. Braswell has never played more than 30 percent of the team's snaps.
Licht acknowledged Tampa Bay's struggles to hit on edge rushers in the draft and admitted the organization has had more success trading or signing them.
"It's not for lack of trying," Licht said in his press conference on Wednesday. "It's not that we don't believe in having edge rushers. We've had more success trading for or signing them than we have drafting."
Solak said Yaya Diaby is a strong rotational player, as he's totaled 19 sacks over the past three seasons, but the Buccaneers need a "splashy sack artist."
He cited Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. as a potential selection at the 15th pick. Bain notched 9.5 sacks in his senior year as a Hurricane, including one forced fumble.
His teammate, Akheem Mesidor, and Auburn's Keldric Faulk are Solak's other draft picks for Tampa Bay. Mesidor recorded 12.5 sacks last year. At 24, he's among the oldest prospects in this year's draft.
Despite the Buccaneers' need for an edge rusher, Solak said the team needs another starting linebacker alongside Alex Anzalone and a challenger at cornerback to push Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison.
With Lavonte David retiring, there is another starting position open for competition at the linebacker spot.
Jamel Dean signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Christian Izien signing with the Detroit Lions thrust Zyon McCollum to the no. 1 cornerback position, while Morrison competes for the no. 2 spot.
McCollum started last season well, tying his career-high in tackles (10) against the Atlanta Falcons. However, he could not return to those heights toward the end of the season and was placed on the injured reserve to finish the year.
Morrison showed flashes in his rookie year, but he was limited to 10 games and dealt with hamstring issues throughout the season.
Solak said the bottom line for Tampa Bay is to address the edge rusher and use the remaining resources to hammer defensive reinforcements
The Buccaneers have seven picks in the draft, and could use most of them to bolster their defense to address positional needs while searching for future contributors.
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