The Buccaneers’ edge rushing group will look different in 2024 after Shaquil Barrett leaves for free agency. One of the guys hoping to fill that role is Alabama’s Chris Braswell, the team’s second-round draft pick this year. Following the draft, Tampa Bay announces that Braswell has signed his rookie contract.
Braswell chose to forego his final year of eligibility in Tuscaloosa following a great season for the Crimson Tide. Following his redshirt seasons, the 22-year-old Braswell appeared in every game for Alabama the next two years, but he only recorded 34 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Last year, however, despite starting only two games and having little playing time, Braswell demonstrated what he was capable of. He ranked second on the team in sacks (8.0) and third in tackles for loss (10.5).
Braswell joins a young pass rusher bunch. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, the 2021 first-round pick, has been a starter in the group for the past two years. YaYa Diaby, last year’s third-round pick, is projected to improve in 2024 after leading the team with 7.5 sacks as a rookie. Randy Gregory, who played for both the Broncos and the 49ers last season, adds some experience to the bunch.
The Buccaneers’ pass rush failed to produce a player with double-digit sacks last season, but they did provide a competent team rush, finishing sixth in the NFL in sacks as a team. If they intend to have their first double-digit-sack pass rusher since 2021, someone in the above bunch will need to break.
With today’s signing, the team has signed all but one of its first-round draft picks. Only Graham Barton, a first-round Duke center, remains unsigned. Here are the others:
Round one, No. 26: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
Round 2, Number 57: Chris Braswell (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
Round 3, No. 89: Tykee Smith (South Georgia) (signed)
Round 3, No. 92 (from the Lions): Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington) (signed
Round 4, No. 125: Bucky Irving (RB, Oregon) (signed).
Round 6, Number 220: Elijah Klein (G, UTEP) (signed)
Round 7, Number 246: Devin Culp (TE, Washington) (signed)
