Bucs Must Start Rookie LB Walker Going Forward

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sitting at 1-5, the season is not yet over, but it is waning.

The defense continues to play good enough to keep the team in the game late, but the offense has struggled without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.

On Sunday, in Tampa's 26-19 overtime loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the offense outplayed Aaron Rodgers and company in the first half, but stuttered in the second, scoring just two field goals.

With another close game going the other way, Tampa needs to begin finding ways to close out victories.

But, with the team's postseason hopes likely over, getting young players significant run and opportunity needs to be a priority.

Rookie linebacker David Walker is one player who needs to be unleashed, as he has been the Bucs' most-effective pass rusher this season.

After missing all of last year, his official rookie season, with a torn ACL, Walker has made a big impact along head coach Todd Bowles' front seven.

Despite being listed as a backup EDGE on the depth chart, Walker leads the team with four sacks, posting his best professional performance on Sunday.

Against the Steelers, Walker had his first multi-sack day (2), while recording a career-high seven tackles.

Walker did a great job of getting off the line of scrimmage quickly, and beating the Pittsburgh offensive line to the outside.

As the Bucs continue to try to find the best rushing combinations to utilize, Walker needs to be on the field as much as possible.

Rookie EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday as well, perhaps giving him the confidence boost needed to get back to the production that he was projected to have prior to the season starting.

Walker is one of the few feel-good stories on this year's Bucs team to this point, as he has kept a great attitude throughout the offseason and his injury struggles.

Against the Minnesota Vikings, Walker recorded a sack for his second-straight game, becoming the first Buccaneer to record multiple sacks in their first three career games since Antoine Winfield Jr. in 2020.

The former Central Arkansas standout has certainly earned starting reps going forward, and should rival Yaya Diaby for increased snap counts.

Diaby, who was supposed to take a big jump this season, has struggled to get to the quarterback, and is still looking for his first sack of the year.