Let’s be clear. The best performer at the start of Bucs training camp has been outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. And it may not be close.
It hasn’t mattered whether it’s just in helmets and jerseys or when the pads officially came on, Diaby is in the backfield getting after the quarterback more than any other defensive player.
There are high expectations for Yaya Diaby in year two after a breakout rookie season in which he finished as a starter with a team-leading 7.5 sacks. Much like how musicians and other entertainers have residencies in Las Vegas, Diaby has his own residency in the Bucs’ weight room in Tampa.
“Yaya was here (in Tampa during the offseason) if you guys couldn’t tell,” left tackle Tristan Wirfs joked. “I mean holy cow. Him and Jose (Ramirez) were here a lot, so it was a fun group of guys here getting after it this summer.”
The hard work and effort in the offseason has directly translated to results on the field so far for Diaby. The Bucs will need it as they figure out who will be lining up on the other side of Diaby at outside linebacker but his role as a starter seems to be cemented with his hot start to camp. With each practice Diaby seems to get more comfortable – and more dominant.
“It’s unlimited,” head coach Todd Bowles said about his potential. “The biggest thing for Yaya [is] he understands the defense now. It’s still hard to gauge when we’re not in pads. It’s hard for the offense to really get hands on anyone without the pads. But, his effort and his concentration right now have been great.”
Offensive Tackles Have Not Had Fun Trying To Block Yaya Diaby
Tampa Bay is lucky to the boast one of the top offensive tackle tandems in the league with Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. Wirfs is arguably the best left tackle in the NFL – or at least in the conversation. Goedeke took the biggest step forward on the Bucs’ roster last yearand did a fantastic job last season in his first look at right tackle.
This has made for entertaining battles in training camp so far. Diaby has held his own against Wirfs and has had exceptional matchups with Goedeke as well. It’s been great competition with each side having their own wins on certain reps, but it hasn’t been easy for anyone. What it’s really looked like is a knock em’ out, drag em’ out kind of fight on each play.
Anytime we’ve seen Diaby go up against a backup, it’s been over – quickly. Diaby has had key moments getting would-be sacks on Baker Mayfield during timed sessions where the offense needs to score late in the game to win. Getting stops on third down is a big goal of Diaby’s, as well as making big plays.
Having the opportunity of having all the starters battle each other has benefited everyone. Goedeke has been impressed with Diaby and how he’s developed as a pass rusher. Nobody has been consistently attacking the pass rush that Yaya Diaby has done it so far in camp.
“It’s completely invaluable to play against our defensive line,” Goedeke said. “We have a phenomenal defensive line. From our outside [linebackers] to our interior [linemen], with Caliah [Kancey] and Vita [Vea], we have Yaya and Joe [Tyron-Shoyinka]. Yaya has definitely taken a tremendous jump; Tristan and I have talked about it. Just the physical traits he possesses and the difficulty he’s going to give tackles in the whole [NFL] will be interesting. I am grateful to go against him in practice because he only prepares us for the great [pass rushers] across the league.”
