Bucs 2022 Camp Preview: Outside Linebacker

Bucs coaching camp is drawing close to and it’s time to preview the Bucs roster place by place. Pewter Report will break down and study every roster spot, the gamers on the depth chart and preview the outlook for the 2022 season.

Persevering with on the defensive aspect of the ball within the Bucs 2022 Camp Preview sequence are exterior linebackers.

Exterior Linebackers

The surface linebacker group returns largely intact, with Shaq Barrett main the group. Jason Pierre-Paul is the lone departure, which was as anticipated after the Bucs chosen Joe Tryon-Shoyinka within the first spherical final 12 months. Barrett was again to double digit sack numbers (10), whereas JTS was caught behind JPP on the depth chart as he developed. He’ll step into a much bigger function this 12 months because the starter reverse Barrett.

Anthony Nelson had his greatest season as a professional final 12 months notching a profession excessive 5 sacks. His continued development shall be key to the Bucs depth. Behind him is core particular teamer Cam Gill and transformed defensive lineman Elijah Ponder. The Bucs dipped into the draft this 12 months deciding on Andre Anthony within the seventh spherical. And rounding out the group are undrafted free brokers Jojo Ozouwu and Jordan Younger. The Bucs might nonetheless add a veteran to the group.

Shaq Barrett

Barrett turns into the unquestioned chief of the group with Pierre-Paul’s departure. He’ll must assume a management function and assist mentor the youthful gamers behind him. A transfer again to the correct aspect ought to profit Barrett, as he tries to recapture the magic of his 19.5 sack 2109 season. Lacking three video games final 12 months the Bucs want the two-time Professional Bowler to remain wholesome over the course of the 17-game season. Barrett will once more want produce double digits sacks for a profitable season, and he ought to profit from the massive our bodies up entrance on the line of defense.

2021 Stats: 51 tackles, 9 for-a-loss, 10 sacks, 4 cross breakups, 3 pressured fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Now that Pierre-Paul has moved on, it’s Tryon-Shoyinka’s time. After taking part in in a restricted function for many of the season, he’s set to start out reverse Barrett. The second 12 months participant noticed in depth time whereas JPP was sidelined with harm and might want to construct off that have. Notching 4 sacks his rookies 12 months, Tryon-Shoyinka might had four-to-five extra had he completed performs. The protection is counting on JTS to take the following step in his development this season. If he can ship, the Bucs ought to be in fine condition on the sting.

2021 Stats: 29 tackles, 5 for-a-loss, 4 sacks, and three cross breakups.

Anthony Nelson

Nelson lastly broke out final 12 months with a profession excessive 5 sacks. He additionally had an necessary fumble restoration within the Bucs come from behind victory towards the Jets. Logging probably the most snaps of his profession, Nelson additionally began two video games for Tampa Bay. The Bucs shall be counting on him because the lone backup with actual taking part in expertise. Whereas they may nonetheless signal a veteran sooner or later, Nelson might want to construct off his breakthrough 12 months.

2021 Stats: 13 tackles, 7 for-a-loss, 5 sacks, a cross breakup and a fumble restoration.

Cam Gill

After becoming a member of the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Gill was a core particular teamer and a sub rusher for the group on their approach to a Tremendous Bowl victory.  Even notching a half-sack within the large recreation. Final season didn’t begin as properly for Gill who missed half the season with a foot harm he sustained throughout camp. Nonetheless Gill was in a position to carve out a small function on protection whereas performing his particular groups duties. With Ponder and seventh spherical decide Andre Anthony on his heels, he’ll must have a robust camp to make the group.

2021 Stats: 11 tackles, 1 for-a-loss, and 1.5 sacks.

Elijah Ponder

Ponder returns to the group after spending two separate stints on the observe squad final season. The previous faculty defensive deal with has undergone an entire physique transformation in hopes of touchdown a spot on the 53-man roster. He’ll want to indicate an understanding of the playbook and grasp of his new place to be able to earn a spot on the groups roster, whether or not that’s the primary roster or observe squad.

2021 Stats: N/A

Andre Anthony

The Bucs seventh spherical decide has a wonderful mixture of of measurement and pace. One thing Tampa Bay might make the most of on particular groups. Although his senior 12 months at LSU was reduce brief as a consequence of harm, Anthony was in a position to take part throughout Bucs offseason camps. The previous teammate of Devin White, Anthony will attempt to make the roster this season in a exterior linebacker room that isn’t notably deep. He’ll want a superb camp to be thought of for one of many ultimate roster spots, however his greatest guess is likely to be touchdown a spot on the observe squad.

2021 School Stats: 8 tackles, 4 for-a-loss, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble restoration for a landing.

Jordan Younger

Younger is a disciplined linebacker and doesn’t often get moved out of place simply by the quarterback’s eyes. He has a excessive soccer IQ and shows good learn and react abilities.  Younger has simply common pace and might be out-positioned by blockers. He’ll want to make use of higher approach and work on fundamentals to have an opportunity to succeed on the subsequent degree. Younger was talked about by Cyril Grayson on the Pewter Report Podcast as somebody who had stood out throughout offseason camp and can price keeping track of. Although the observe squad is his greatest probability at sticking round.

2021 School Stats: 104 tackles, 4 sacks, and a couple of pressured fumbles.

JoJo Ozougwu

Ogzougwu has an explosive first step and makes use of an array of rush strikes to get to the quarterback. He locates the ball properly and shows good capacity to get off blocks to make the tackles. Nonetheless, he’s undersized as an each down edge defender, and might want to get stronger. He’ll get tied up by larger blockers however makes use of lively arms to try to break away. Ozougwu didn’t actually stand out throughout offseason camps and can face an uphill battle to land a spot on the group’s observe squad.

2021 School Stats: 56 tackles, 16 for-a-loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 cross breakups and a pressured fumble.