NFL roster decisions always involve some degree of risk. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just learned how costly that risk can be.
General manager Jason Licht made Jack Pyburn available after cutting the undrafted rookie. The decision backfired quickly, with the Kansas City Chiefs claiming him off waivers.
The Buccaneers Miscalculated
According to the NFL waiver claim release, Kansas City scooped up Pyburn. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Pyburn informed LSU he intends to stay in the NFL.
That means Tampa Bay won’t simply be able to bring Pyburn back to its practice squad. The Buccaneers made him available, and another team immediately took advantage.
Pyburn Was Too Good to Lose
PFF’s numbers make the decision even more difficult to defend. Pyburn led Tampa Bay with 4.0 sacks during the preseason.
That total also tied for first among all NFL EDGE defenders who played a snap during the preseason.
Pyburn’s 21.4% pass rush productivity against true pass sets led 37 qualifying pass rushers. Those players each recorded at least 52 pass-rush snaps during the preseason.
His 23.8% win rate ranked ninth among that group. His 73.1 pass-rush grade against true pass sets also ranked 10th.
Licht Rolled the Dice
The Buccaneers clearly believed they could move on from Pyburn without losing him. That was the gamble Licht took when Tampa Bay made him available.
The problem is that the gamble lasted less than a day. Kansas City was ninth in the waiver order and claimed Pyburn.
That means Pyburn ultimately became a top-10 waiver claim. Tampa Bay now has to watch another team develop a player who just dominated during the preseason.
There is always risk involved with roster cuts. In this case, Licht took that risk with Pyburn and lost.
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