One of the Buccaneers’ team goals during the offseason was to beef up its pass rush from the edges, which included signing proven sack-master Haason Reddick in free agency and stealing Central Arkansas edge David Walker in the fourth round of the draft. But another step forward for Diaby would help immensely in that pursuit, as well.
“He’s been professional dating back to the spring,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles. “Everything he’s done has been with intention. I like the way he’s getting off the ball right now – he’s really using his hands a lot more and a lot better. If he keeps that up, he should have a hell of a year.”
In his attempts to hone his pass-rush game, Diaby also sought the advice of some experts in the field. He attended the annual Sack Summit in Las Vegas that draws some of the best pass-rushers in the league together, as well as some of the league’s most promising young players. This year it was hosted by the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby the Saints’ Cameron Jordan and the Commanders Von Miller, a trio that has combined for 310.5 career regular-season sacks.
“Last year, I had…tight ends on me a lot, chipping. It’s just recognizing what I see and how to beat those things. I went to the Vegas [event], talking with Maxx Crosby and Von Miller – those are guys who get chipped a lot, and they broke down what they did to help themselves out, and that’s what I’m going to do taking it forward.”
Diaby’s intense dedication to improving his game makes it clear that he is not lacking in motivation as he tries to make 2025 his best NFL season yet. But if he needed any more, he got it from the dean of the Buccaneers’ defense, linebacker Lavonte David.
“Lavonte has been talking about it the whole time – he even tells me all the time, he [says], ‘I hate bringing up the year we won the Super Bowl, but that year it took the defense, the defensive line to really set the tone.’ That’s the mindset going into this year, we have to get it done up front.”