With salary cap room limited thanks to $75 million in dead money, the Bucks were forced to “bargain hunt” in free agency to fill their roster. That meant finding valuable players on decent contracts and looking to the 2023 draft class with an undrafted free agent who would play an influential role for Todd Bowles and his coaching staff.
Although still in the early stages of this process, early results and reactions indicate that Bucks has found some diamonds in the rough. That makes it very difficult for manager Todd Bowles to make decisions about who joins the 53-man roster, who joins the practice team and who leaves the squad entirely. This is a good question, but an important decision cannot be taken lightly.
Todd Bowles identifies the most difficult position to pick
Asked after Wednesday’s practice if the lineup will be harder this year than it was a year ago, Bucks head coach Todd Bowles agreed, “definitely.” He then mentioned which position was the most difficult to conclude.
Bucks GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“I’m primarily an outside linebacker,” Todd Bowles said. “Everybody can play. Because we can play.”
The Bucks re-signed Anthony Nelson this offseason, making sure they deal with outside linebackers in the draft. Yaya Diaby and Jose Ramirez. So many players will probably end up in a crowded room vying for he one or he two spots.
Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Soyinka and Nelson are a natural addition to the squad.Diaby is a Tampa Bay third-round pick, so his spot is on the depth chart Guaranteed for this season. But after that, if Tampa Bay chooses to keep five edge rushers, they still have plenty of talent to choose from for the final fifth spot.
Ramirez immediately showed superior agility and quickness, recording 12 sacks in 12 games in his final year at Eastern Michigan University. Kam Gil recorded a Super Bowl half sack for the Bucks a few seasons ago and is an excellent special teamer. Other competitors such as Marquese Watts, Hamilker Rashed and Charles Snowden also have traits the Bucks like.
Many Bucks OLBs looking for very few spots
Last season, the Bucks initially had just four outside linebackers to start the regular season. Two years ago they kept five. So, realistically, he probably has his six players vying for one spot. But if the competition is that good, can the Bucks keep six? How many edge rushers will they keep this season?
Bucks OLBs Yaya Diaby and Jose Ramirez – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“We don’t know yet,” said Todd Bowles. “Let’s see what the other positions bring. We’ll see who gets the key positions compared to the other positions and go from there.”
Interestingly, Bowles named the outside linebacker as the most difficult decision to make, even though the team has other good options. The safety team has a very young group of undrafted free agents, all vying to fill the room behind Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal. There’s a lot of players in the rotation, and a few wide receiver slots.
These young Bucks can start proving themselves under the lights on Friday night in Tampa Bay’s first preseason game of the year at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many, this will be their first time playing against someone other than their teammates.
“They’re all going to see something different,” said Bowles. “They’re going to see a different defense. Pittsburgh is always tough, whether it’s the regular season or the preseason. It’s really important for us, they can’t see the color of the jersey, they just have to do what they do in practice and that’s what we want.”
