As a second-round rookie, outside linebacker Chris Braswell didn’t make a big splash for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 season. And while his position coach thinks the former Alabama standout is poised for a jump in his second NFL season, the Bucs have made it harder for Braswell to have a bigger impact in 2025.
Braswell played in every game for Tampa Bay in 2024. He recorded 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble while on the field for 329 defensive snaps (30 percent of the Bucs’ total) and 189 special-teams plays in 17 regular-season games.
“He’s talented,” said Larry Foote, Tampa Bay’s defensive run-game coordinator and outside-linebackers coach. “Year 1 to Year 2, you’re going to see a lot of growth. He’s got to keep his confidence. I thought he did some good things. But he’s just got to adapt to the speed of the game.
“Every now and then, you get these freaks that come in as a rookie and just tear the league up. That’s not the norm. I explained that to him. He’s passionate, he loves ball and if he keeps going, working hard, he’s going to be productive.”
Last season, Yaya Diaby started every game at weakside linebacker for Tampa Bay. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka made 11 starts and Anthony Nelson six at strongside linebacker in the regular season.
Tryon-Shoyinka left as an NFL free agent in March for the Cleveland Browns. But neither Braswell nor Nelson will get the first shot at filling that vacancy after Tampa Bay signed Haason Reddick in March.
Reddick earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2022 and 2023, when he recorded 27 sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles.
But with Reddick entering the final season of his contract, the Eagles traded him to the New York Jets last offseason. Reddick and the Jets ran into a contract impasse that caused the outside linebacker to miss the first seven games of the season.
In the remaining 10, Reddick made only one sack.
“It’s a fresh start,” Reddick said when he signed with the Buccaneers. “I know everybody’s worried about last year, but last year was last year. I’m here now -- different mindset, different space. I’m just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward.”
Tampa Bay also added outside linebacker David Walker from Central Arkansas in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on April 26.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.