In a brand new summer time sequence, I’ll check out some Bucs matters for the upcoming season – and discover them with a twist.
Our first subject is – What if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka turned the Bucs’ main sacker this 12 months?
Impressed by Marvel’s “What If…?” comedian books and the Marvel animated sequence, let’s check out some probably completely different outcomes to among the extra intriguing storylines in Tampa Bay that no person sees coming. To be clear, this isn’t a sequence of matters that Pewter Report believes will occur or essentially hopes will occur. Simply use your creativeness and prepare for some surprises, Bucs followers.
The Background
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has largely underwhelmed as a go rusher because the Bucs chosen him on the finish of the primary spherical within the 2021 NFL Draft. In three seasons in crimson and pewter, Tryon-Shoyinka has totaled simply 13 sacks, together with a career-best 5 final season. This coming in 34 profession begins during the last three seasons.
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Resulting from his excessive draft standing and athletic means, Tryon-Shoyinka has been a starter in Tampa Bay courting again to his rookie season when he had six begins earlier than beginning 16 video games the following season. Final 12 months, Tryon-Shoyinka began 12 video games reverse Shaq Barrett earlier than shedding his beginning function to Yaya Diaby down the stretch.
However an absence of speed-to-power and an excessive amount of finesse play has stored Tryon-Shoyinka from reaching his true potential as a go rusher. Tryon-Shoyinka has made strides in run protection, however the crew has yearned for him to step up his sack manufacturing, which plateaued at 4 in his first two seasons within the league. Getting into a contract 12 months with out having his fifth-year choice picked up by the crew, it’s sink-or-swim time for JTS in Tampa Bay.
With Barrett being reduce by the crew within the offseason, there’s a beginning spot out there at outdoors linebacker reverse Diaby. Can Tryon-Shoyinka, who had a career-high 5 sacks final 12 months, lastly dwell as much as his draft billing and grow to be the sack artist the Bucs hoped they had been getting within the 2021 draft?
What If Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Led The Bucs In Sacks?
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts – Picture by: USA At present
With a protection boasting younger pass-rushing expertise like defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey along with outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby, nobody would have Joe Tryon-Shoyinka main Tampa Bay in sacks on their bingo card in 2024.
However what if Tryon-Shoyinka lastly put all of it collectively when it mattered most – his contract 12 months – and wound up with eight, 9 or 10 sacks to guide Todd Bowles’ protection? What if Tryon-Shoyinka turned the bodily presence the crew has implored him to be, and he teamed up with Diaby to kind a potent bookend presence at outdoors linebacker?
Tryon-Shoyinka simply turned 25 in April and is among the most athletic defenders in Tampa Bay. It might be a really nice shock if Tryon-Shoyinka emerged as a critical go speeding risk this season and be an enormous boon to the Bucs protection for years to return.
Would Jason Licht signal Tryon-Shoyinka to a long-term extension? Or would he need to see if the 2024 season was an aberration and use the franchise tag on JTS in 2025 just like the Bucs used on Shaq Barrett in 2020 after his 19.5-sack season the earlier 12 months? What an incredible drawback to have to unravel subsequent offseason if this What If? state of affairs got here to fruition.
