The rookies
With their fourth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers took Iowa standout Anthony Nelson, adding young talent to their pass rushing group. Nelson has a massive frame and is built similar to Nassib; he can use his length to extend off of blockers around the edge at the next level.
The 6-7 and 280 pound Nelson recorded 23 career sacks and 31 tackles for loss in three years with the Hawkeyes; in 2018 he tallied nine and a half sacks and 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He now has the chance to be thrust into action right away with the injury to Pierre-Paul and looks to compete for reps in a rotational role with Spence as a rookie.
Behind Nelson are three undrafted rookies signed by the Buccaneers in David Kenney, Kahzin Daniels, and Dare Odeyingbo. Thus far, Kenney has been standing out and may find himself in the conversation to make the final 53-man roster:
"“He is a cool story because he has been out of football since 2015… He is from Indy and worked out up there and was able to get himself in shape and earn a try out and impressed at the tryout. He is still right there on the bubble to even be talked about to make the 53, but he has really been a cool story who has gotten consistent praise from the coaches” (Greg Auman via The Pewter Plank)."
Kenney is certainly a player to watch throughout camp as he fights improbable odds for a chance to make the Buccaneers final roster. Another pass rusher fighting strong odds is Daniels, who is blind in one eye and looking to make a name for himself.
Daniels is looking to build off of a productive collegiate career at Division II Charleston (WV), and join his college teammate John Cominsky, drafted in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons, on an NFL roster in 2019. While Daniels posted 34.5 career sacks throughout his time at Charleston, he is athletically under par and will need to work hard to make the team.
Dare Odeyingbo comes to Tampa Bay after failing to be drafted out of Vanderbilt. He too faces an uphill battle to make the team, but if the Buccaneers decide to roster five outside linebackers, then one of these three undrafted guys will make the roster in Tampa Bay.