Position Group: Outside Linebackers
Players: Yaya Diaby, Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, Markees Watts, Jason Pierre-Paul, David Walker (Reserve/Injured)
2025 Evaluation: In Year Three, Yaya Diaby became the Bucs most productive pass rusher, leading the team with 7.0 sacks. He accumulated 783 snaps in 2025 and had the sixth highest pressure rate (16.3%) in 2025 with a minimum of 350 pass rush snaps per NextGen Stats and anchored the Bucs' defense. He amassed 19 quarterback hits and 62 pressures (14th) this past season, bolstering the unit. Diaby possesses short-area burst and immense power. With a sharp punch, he forces blockers off-balance. He has a proficient rip move off his bull rush and he will look to diversify his arsenal of moves for 2026, harnessing his strength.
Last March on the second day of the unrestricted free agency period, the Bucs signed former Jet Haason Reddick to a one-year deal. He had amassed double digit sacks in four of the previous five seasons before arriving in Tampa Bay and totaled 570 snaps in 2025. Reddick posted 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a pass defensed. He dealt with ankle and knee injuries that hindered his impact on the field.
"Some he's just missing," said Head Coach Todd Bowles on Reddick's sack numbers. "He's gotten back there, he's just got to close the deal once he gets back there."
Reddick showcased his versatility in space in Bowles' system and the club brought in Jason Pierre-Paul in December to add depth. He was signed to the team's practice squad late in the year and was elevated for the Week 16 matchup with the Panthers, making his season debut. Pierre-Paul tallied 38 snaps in 2025 and overall, had played in 183 career games between the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Buccaneers, making 150 starts and totaling 622 tackles (127 for loss), 167 quarterback hits, 94.5 sacks, 66 passes defensed, 21 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and five interceptions.
Anthony Nelson amassed 387 snaps for Tampa Bay and made one of the most significant plays of the 2025 slate for the club. In his starting debut this past season in Week Eight, Nelson recorded 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown, becoming the first player since 2007 to reach each of those marks in a single game and just one-of-three players since at least 2000 to accomplish this feat. Nelson scored the Bucs' lone points in the first half of the matchup with New Orleans. He tipped Spencer Rattler's pass to himself for the stupefying interception play and then returned it three yards for a score, lowering his shoulder in the process against Rattler to cross the goal line. He helped set the tone in the trenches throughout the year with discard capability and made leaning blockers pay.
Chris Braswell registered a sack and four quarterback hits in 2025 on 283 snaps in his second season. He dealt with an ankle injury and came in on sub-packages when healthy. He attacked the edge with burst off the snap and utilized his length to pass blockers.
"So, when he comes to take on blocks and everything, he's fine," noted Bowles. "He's gotten a lot better in the passing game, as well. He knows how to set the edge and he just needs a chance to play more."
Markees Watts dealt with a hand injury and played a total of 26 snaps in 2025, often appearing on the team's inactive list. The Bucs' fourth-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, David Walker, was placed on Injured Reserve back in July after suffering an ACL injury that required reparative surgery. Walker was not eligible to play in 2025 but was an early standout during OTAs.
2026 Outlook: Haason Reddick is set to become a free agent in March when his one-year contract expires. To boost the pass rush for 2026, the Bucs will seek to add an infusion of talent at the position through the draft and free agency this offseason.
