Has Buccaneers DE Yaya Diaby Become Underrated?
Diaby's rising production and league-leading pressures is gaining him traction within the organization. But, is Tampa Bay's standout defensive end being overlooked on the national stage?
As Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Yaya Diaby heads into the final year of his rookie contract, the front office will be keeping an eye on his production. Diaby, who recorded seven sacks and 50 total tackles last season, has become a big part of Tampa's future, as general manager Jason Licht said at NFL owners meetings this past week in Phoenix, Arizona. "I'd love to have YaYa here long term.
He's a very good, young player that's probably a little bit underappreciated, I think, overall for what he's done," Licht said. "He's a good, young player. We like him a lot.
" On a national scale, Diaby is definitely underrated. NFL insider John Frascella composed a list of each team's best defensive end and where each ranks among their peers in the league. Not only did Tampa come in at No.
29 (fourth worst), but Diaby wasn't even listed as the Bucs' top defensive end. Instead, former Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad , who the Bucs signed to a one-year deal on March 16, graced the list. (His contract is worth up to $6 million.