It’s no secret that the Bucs want extra from their go rush in 2024, and in consequence, there may be sure to be some turnover within the group’s outdoors linebacker room this offseason.
Shaq Barrett is a main candidate to be a wage cap casualty, as his manufacturing now not matches his wage cap quantity. He’ll at all times be one of many Bucs’ best-ever free agent signings, however he’ll possible be minimize and one of many group’s beginning outdoors linebacker spots shall be vacant.
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Bears QB Justin Fields – Photograph by: USA In the present day
It appears unlikely that it’ll go to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, as he misplaced his personal beginning spot to 2023 third-round decide Yaya Diaby late final season. Tryon-Shoyinka’s fifth-year choice for 2025 isn’t going to be picked up, and he’ll possible be a rotational participant with the likes of Anthony Nelson, Markees Watts and doubtlessly Jose Ramirez in 2024.
So, who may slot in to fill the surface linebacker spot reverse Diaby, who was the Bucs’ main sacker in 2023 with 7.5 quarterback captures? That’s a job that might be stuffed by the draft, however it’s additionally one which common supervisor Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles look to deal with in free company.
Given how a lot cash they’ll must decide to their very own free brokers, they received’t be within the combine for prime free agent go rushers like Josh Allen and Brian Burns. If the Bucs are going to signal a free agent edge rusher, it’ll be somebody on a extra value-driven deal. Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo not too long ago outlined two potential names that might curiosity Tampa Bay, with one being a higher-priced free agent and the opposite being a less expensive choice.
One other potential title of curiosity for the Bucs, at the very least in keeping with Professional Soccer Focus’ Brad Spielberger, could be former Cowboys EDGE Dorance Armstrong. Spielberger named Tampa Bay as a possible touchdown spot for the 26-year-old in an article this week. PFF’s Eighty fifth-ranked free agent this offseason, Armstrong was linked to the Bucs and Commanders by Spielberger:
“Tampa Bay wants extra juice off the sting, even with a crop of younger expertise making strides, and Armstrong could be a terrific addition to a rotation coming off the best pass-rush grade of his profession.
“New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is aware of he’s becoming a member of a group that simply traded each Montez Sweat and Chase Younger at this previous 12 months’s deadline, so he recruits Armstrong to observe him. Within the three seasons earlier than Dan Quinn arrived in Dallas, Armstrong had 29 complete quarterback pressures on 451 pass-rush snaps. In three seasons with Quinn, Armstrong had at the very least 34 pressures in annually on at most 325 pass-rush snaps.”
Would Dorance Armstrong Make Sense For The Bucs?
Cowboys EDGE Dorance Armstrong Photograph by: USA In the present day
After enjoying his school ball at Kansas, Dorance Armstrong was the Cowboys’ fourth-pick spherical within the 2018 Draft. He’s solely began video games sparingly all through his profession, having performed in 93 video games with 14 begins over six years.
He had only a half-sack as a rookie and two as a second-year participant earlier than failing to register a quarterback takedown in 12 months three. However after a five-sack output in 13 video games throughout the 2021 season, Dallas re-signed him to a two-year, $12 million deal.
During the last two years, Armstrong’s manufacturing has elevated. In 2022, he performed in all 17 video games (with 5 begins) and tallied a career-high 8.5 sacks. Then, regardless of simply beginning one recreation in 2023, he posted one other 7.5 sacks over 17 video games as a rotational participant.
Now, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound go rusher is about to hit free company once more in 2024.
Dorance Armstrong’s Go Rush Manufacturing Since 2018 (Hits/Hurries Per PFF):
2018: 0.5 sack, 1 QB hit, 7 hurries2019: 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 5 hurries2020: 0 sacks, 1 QB hit, 9 hurries2021: 5 sacks, 7 QB hits, 23 hurries2022: 8.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, 24 hurries2023: 7.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 22 hurries
Armstrong’s manufacturing has steadily elevated over the course of his profession, and his PFF grades largely have too. His best-graded 12 months was this previous season.
Dorance Armstrong’s PFF Grades Since 2018:
2018: 52.6 general, 51.5 run protection, 57.3 tackling, 55.1 go rush, 57.5 coverage2019: 57.4 general, 63.8 run protection, 37.1 tackling, 52.4 go rush, 62.3 coverage2020: 56.0 general, 58.8 run protection, 61.2 tackling, 43.6 go rush, 74.4 coverage2021: 65.7 general, 67.5 run protection, 78.5 tackling, 60.0 go rush, 62.0 coverage2022: 61.7 general, 57.3 run protection, 59.3 tackling, 60.5 go rush, 73.5 coverage2023: 69.6 general, 58.1 run protection, 71.4 tackling, 69.7 go rush, 72.4 protection
Cowboys EDGE Dorance Armstrong Photograph by: USA In the present day
Armstrong’s protection grades specifically could draw Todd Bowles’ consideration, however the truth that he’s ascended towards his go speeding peak in recent times is sure to be intriguing for the Bucs’ brass as effectively. He solely turns 27 this summer season, too. Spielberger compares his free agent profile to that of Samson Ebukam, who signed a three-year, $24 million deal ($10.755 assured, $9 million signing bonus) with the Colts final offseason.
A deal value round $8 million per 12 months for Armstrong could be alongside the identical strains as what Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo is projecting for New England’s Josh Uche, although Queipo’s projection for Uche was for only one 12 months (at $8.5 million) and Uche is a bit of over a 12 months youthful.
If Tampa Bay is on the lookout for a beginning outdoors linebacker, may or not it’s a chance to usher in a participant who has simply 14 profession begins to his title? It might be a chance, positive, however once you’re looking for worth and may’t pony up the cash for the high-end free agent go rushers, there’s sure to be some danger concerned.
Shaq Barrett solely had 15 begins to his title when he got here on board in 2019. Now, he proved to be an an actual gem and he’s extra of the exception than the rule. However on the proper worth, Armstrong could have sufficient upside be of curiosity to the Bucs — particularly with an edge rusher draft class that isn’t all that deep.
