Where Do The Buccaneers Need To Improve On Defense in 2024?

With an up and down defense last year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had some good statistical points but some glaring issues. They’ve tried to address them with the addition of Chris Braswell in the second round of the draft. Outside of that single move there has not been any substantial movement. Yes Yaya Diaby, K.J. Britt, and Calijah Kancey look ready to make the next step, but will it be enough?

Looking through total defense the Buccaneers were 23rd in total yards allowed while allowing the the fourth worst in yards allowed in the passing game. Meanwhile the defense was fifth best in yards allowed in the run game. These stats stand out once you also couple them with the fact that the team was seventh best in point allowed. It alludes to a bend don’t break style of defense. Needles to say the Buccaneers need to perform better in the passing game to be considered one of the top defenses in the league.

The numbers look fairly troubling when you look to the pressure given to opposing quarterbacks. The Buccaneers were 18th in hurries and 24th in quarterback knockdowns. The Buccaneers, with all pressures combined, were a measly 21st in pressure percentage last season. Though they were tied with four other teams at 7th for sacks the team recognized this and applied it to their off season game plan.

With the departure of Carlton Davis, promotion of Zyon McCollum, and signing of Bryce Hall there seems to be little movement in the backfield. Furthermore the addition of Braswell points to the team feeling confident in their secondary. So in tune with their game plan, they focused on getting after the passer in hopes of fixing the numbers above. This is a multiplying effect mind set. If they can pressure the quarterback more the secondary can take advantage of more mistakes.

To improve the Buccaneers need to add  sixteen quarterback hits and eleven hurries to their numbers from last year in order to push them closer to the top ten in pressure percentage.

Questions and concerns came up with Braswell early after the first preseason game. He logged no significant stats and it started to worry fans. Then Todd Bowles came out after stating the team was having him focus on other parts of his game. Once unleashed in the third game he walked away with a sack, tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit. Not too shabby and a good amount of pressure. But will it translate against full time starting offensive line men. Unfortunately that’s a question we will have to wait and see the answer for.

As for the other players to add that pressure, Yaya Diaby should have a bigger impact as a week on starter on and Calijah Kancey should improve as well. Especially Diaby who didn’t break over 50% of the defensive snaps until week eleven last year.

I’m not as high on the team reaching it’s goals in this regard as I am in them fixing the run game.  A piece feels like it’s still missing (Hasson Reddick). At this point trust is low with Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. If Braswell can’t perform at  a higher level then those two during the season then the weight will be carried by the secondary, and quite frankly, the team may not be able to do that.