The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t entirely sure what they were getting when they selected 24-year-old Yaya Diaby with the 82nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the rookie is already making huge strides in his first season and was named a starter on the most recent depth chart released Tuesday.
The depth chart appears to imply that Diaby will start ahead of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, the Bucs’ first-round selection in 2021. Tryon-Shoyinka has been underproducing this season despite receiving more than 60% of defensive snaps. Diaby, on the other hand, has made an impact while playing fewer than 40% of snaps.
Diaby has four sacks this season compared to Tryon-Shoyinka, who also has four. The former Washington Huskies linebacker did record a sack against the Colts in Week 12. However, it may not have been enough to convince the team Diaby is a better option this upcoming week.
The #GoBucs latest depth chart lists Yaya Diaby as the starter at OLB. Aaron Stinnie is also listed as the starting LG with Feiler moving to a backup role. It also shows Ryan Neal as the starter at SS still but he has seen his snaps cut into by Dee Delaney and Christian Izien. pic.twitter.com/SbOu5uhHP5
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) November 28, 2023
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) face the Carolina Panthers (1-11) 4:05 p.m. Sunday. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium.