The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to build on a season that was cut short by the Detroit Lions in Motown last season. Coach Todd Bowles' team will be bringing back Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback and needs help from its defense to get over the hump in the NFC.
One promising Bucs defender is YaYa Diaby, who was taken in the third round out of Louisville last season and has become a menace to opposing offenses. Diaby is now in the recouperation phase of his offseason after a pivotal update was given following an injury.
The Diaby news was shared after a Bucs lineman became the highest paid at his position in NFL history, and he's still not a household name yet. A Bucs player who could make or break their 2024 was also revealed.
Diaby outplayed his draft position last season. Now the hope is that he will be able to improve health-wise in time for the Bucs' opening kickoff.
Diaby expected to play in week one
The ex-Cardinal and current Buccaneer is expected to recover in time for week one of the season after he suffered a serious injury in practice. Diaby was carted off the field after hurting his ankle. He got tangled up with Vira Vea during a two minute period. He is not expected to play during preseason action for Coach Bowles' team.
The Buccaneers ranked 23rd in the NFL in defense last season, adding to the urgency for Bowles as he reprises his role as joint head coach and defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay in their NFC South winning system.
Diaby's role Bucs' defense
Diaby is listed as the team's starter at weakside linebacker, and will go to battle in the trenches for a team that includes Lavonte David, a holdover from Tampa Bay's 2021 Super Bowl championship winning team.
Other standouts on defense include Antoine Winfield Jr. and Vea. The Buccaneers lost their third and fourth leading tacklers in Devin White and Ryan O'Neal.
Bowles will now be charged with leading his Bucs forward with a host of new faces in central Florida as the competition appears ready to ratchet its game up a new level or two in the NFC South.
This year's season could be the ultimate litmus test for Coach Bowles' regime in the Bay area. If Diaby plays up to his potential and stays healthy, the Bucs could have the makings of a great defense. If not, the team might have to get creative, and Mayfield might have to turn in the season of his life for Tampa Bay to win the division again.
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