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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter training camp with one of the deepest outside linebacker rooms in the NFL. While that's great news for Todd Bowles' defense, it also means someone is going to see their role shrink. No veteran may have more at stake this summer than Anthony Nelson. Nelson has quietly been one of the Buccaneers' most dependable defenders over the past several seasons.
He has never been the flashiest pass rusher, but he's consistently provided quality snaps, defended the run well, and earned the trust of Bowles through his versatility and reliability.
The Buccaneers used the 15th overall pick on Rueben Bain Jr., who is expected to play a significant role from Day 1. Yaya Diaby remains the team's top returning edge rusher and enters a contract year looking to build on his breakout production. Tampa Bay also signed veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad after he posted a career-best season, giving the defense another experienced pass rusher to rotate into the lineup. Then there's David Walker, who, after missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, has drawn praise from Bowles throughout the offseason, who said the young edge rusher is beginning to look like his old self again. If Walker carries that momentum into training camp, he'll be pushing for defensive snaps as well.
Even former second-round pick Chris Braswell is fighting to earn a larger role after another offseason in Bowles' system.
Suddenly, a position group that lacked depth just a year ago is loaded with legitimate contributors. The Buccaneers currently have nine outside linebackers on the roster heading into training camp, underscoring just how crowded the room has become. Nelson should still have a role because of everything he brings to the defense. He's one of the better run defenders in the room, understands Bowles' scheme as well as anyone, and has proven he can contribute on special teams. But if the younger players develop the way the Buccaneers expect, Nelson could find himself playing fewer defensive snaps than he has in previous seasons.
Nelson isn't fighting for a roster spot. He's fighting to maintain the role he has spent years earning. With one of the deepest edge groups the Buccaneers have had under Todd Bowles, every practice rep will matter.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Why Anthony Nelson has the most to lose during Bucs' training camp
Continue reading...
He has never been the flashiest pass rusher, but he's consistently provided quality snaps, defended the run well, and earned the trust of Bowles through his versatility and reliability.
The Buccaneers used the 15th overall pick on Rueben Bain Jr., who is expected to play a significant role from Day 1. Yaya Diaby remains the team's top returning edge rusher and enters a contract year looking to build on his breakout production. Tampa Bay also signed veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad after he posted a career-best season, giving the defense another experienced pass rusher to rotate into the lineup. Then there's David Walker, who, after missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, has drawn praise from Bowles throughout the offseason, who said the young edge rusher is beginning to look like his old self again. If Walker carries that momentum into training camp, he'll be pushing for defensive snaps as well.
Even former second-round pick Chris Braswell is fighting to earn a larger role after another offseason in Bowles' system.
Suddenly, a position group that lacked depth just a year ago is loaded with legitimate contributors. The Buccaneers currently have nine outside linebackers on the roster heading into training camp, underscoring just how crowded the room has become. Nelson should still have a role because of everything he brings to the defense. He's one of the better run defenders in the room, understands Bowles' scheme as well as anyone, and has proven he can contribute on special teams. But if the younger players develop the way the Buccaneers expect, Nelson could find himself playing fewer defensive snaps than he has in previous seasons.
Nelson isn't fighting for a roster spot. He's fighting to maintain the role he has spent years earning. With one of the deepest edge groups the Buccaneers have had under Todd Bowles, every practice rep will matter.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Why Anthony Nelson has the most to lose during Bucs' training camp
Continue reading...
