There are a few guarantees when it comes to Joe.
One is that Joe will do nothing but stand and applaud whenever the Bucs draft an edge rusher. Yeah, the Bucs may not very good at that, but the modern game demands dangerous edge rushers.
It’s easy to argue it’s the most important position on a defense. That’s why they’re paid so much damn money.
The Bucs just signed beastly edge rusher Haason Reddick, who had a ghastly 2024 but is loaded with talent and stud seasons on his resume at 30 years old. They also have YaYa Diaby, a third-year edge rusher with elite talent, but his game has proven to be incomplete. There’s veteran Anthony Nelson in the stable, a solid backup but not a dangerous edge rusher. And they’ve got second-year man Chris Braswell.
On the _Ira Kaufman Podcast_, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said he’s confident Braswell with “shock” fans this season.
So do the Bucs think they’re set at edge rusher?
Former Eagles, Browns and Ravens scout Daniel Jeremiah, a former college QB, doesn’t think so. The NFL Network draft guru believes the Bucs will go edge rusher in Round 1 at pick No. 19, per his [latest mock draft](http://nfl.com).
He’s got the Bucs taking Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston Collee.
“Bucs GM Jason Licht has always valued production, and Ezeiruaku brings exactly that to the table with 16.5 sacks last season. He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft,” Jeremiah wrote.
Jeremiah has said many times he bases his drafts on what he’s hearing and scouting.
Joe’s not going to call edge rusher a major Bucs need, but again, Joe would applaud drafting Ezeiruaku.
Hey, the Rams are ecstatic after drafting defensive rookie of the year Jared Verse at No. 19 last season. The next edge rusher off the board, Chop Robinson, had a very strong season finish for the Dolphins (6 sacks in his final 10 games).
Yes, first-round rookie edge rushers sometimes make an impact late in their rookie years. (The other three edge rushers taken in last year’s first round did not have special seasons).
At 6-2, 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a small edge rusher, but he’s got superior athleticism (a former track star) and Joe likes that he’s still just 21 years old. The former Boston College captain surely will add man strength and weight next season.
If the Bucs think he’s the best available player on the board, then he’d be hard to pass up.
**JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan broke down this year’s class of edge rushers on _Best In Class_. Listen below.**