Diaby wants to know: How can the Bucs defense be blocked?
Yaya Diaby may fly under the radar when it comes to the NFL’s best edge rushers, but inside opposing offensive line meeting rooms, he’s anything but invisible.
The Bucs outside linebacker routinely drew double teams and sometimes a running back or tight end to chip block him last season. How has he adjusted to all the unwanted attention?
“It was stressful to begin with, but at the same time, that’s what comes with it. Now having guys that can help, it takes the load off a little bit and we can all get after it,” Diaby said.
But Diaby has a question of his own, and it may prove to be the key to the Bucs’ season.
“How can you block (Rueben) Bain (Jr.), Vita (Vea), A’Shawn (Robinson), me and Calijah (Kancey)?” Diaby said. “You can’t do it, so it’s going to be super exciting.”
Stepping into a leadership role will be Diaby’s next challenge with the departure of outside linebacker Haason Reddick after only one season. Reddick produced only 2.5 sacks while Diaby persevered to tally seven sacks, which led the club. He also had a pass rush grade of 76.9 according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 23rd at his position.
“I feel like I’ve earned the respect of the defense,” Diaby said. “Guys can hear me and know that I have their best interest. That’s all I’m going to do is keep leading and letting my play do the talking.”
To say this is a big year for Diaby would be an understatement. It’s the final year of his contract and he isn’t eligible for a fifth-year option as a third-round pick in the 2023 draft.
But he has reason to be optimistic. The Bucs defensive front should be much improved. Nowhere will that be made more evident than with the play of Bain as a rookie.
“Ah, man, it’s more depth,” Diaby said. “More depth for real when you think about it. Bain brings a lot. I was super, super stoked when they got him. I texted coach (Todd) Bowles and said, ‘Great pick.’”
Bain is the biggest reason why Diaby may thrive this year. Kancey was out for the majority of the 2025 season, and the 31-year-old Reddick was a huge disappointment. Adding Robinson and Muhammad provided size and some snarl.
“When they got (Al-Quadin) Muhammad, that’s another great addition. A veteran guy. He’s going into Year 10 right now so he can also help me and Bain and the other guys in the room,” Diaby said. “A’Shawn has always been super vocal and when he’s got something to say, whether you’re doing something right or doing something wrong, He’s always saying something.”
Analysts project a four-year extension in the neighborhood of $18 to $23 million per year for Diaby. Can the Bucs afford to pay nearly $100 million on a four-year deal for an edge rusher?
“I just want to ball,” Diaby said. “I want to be a Buc for my whole career. That’s all I can say. But at the same time, that’s the least of my worries. I’m just happy to be out here with the guys playing around, having fun and just getting after it.”
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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 9:58 AM.