Bucs edge rusher Yaya Diaby didn’t get starting reps until much later in the year, but now, he’s already showing signs of a bright future.
Diaby was officially given starting reps in the team’s Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers, and since then, he’s gotten to work. Diaby leads all rookies in the NFL with 6.5 sacks as it stands, and he also showed out in Week 16 with a great tackle for loss on Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley. He’s been dominant, and now, he’s starting to get recognition for his efforts.
The NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said Tuesday that his pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year is Diaby, who is also second in tackles for loss among rookies. Schrager has been a fan of Diaby for some time how and also included him among the best rookie performers of the week in an NFL Network segment.
Yaya Diaby is my pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Who?
Leads all rookies in sacks, second in tackles for a loss, has been a revelation for @Buccaneers , and is all over the field.
Some love for @greatyaya4 https://t.co/80XyTRDxlQ
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) December 26, 2023
As it stands, Diaby isn’t even a candidate to bet on for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Strangely enough, Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is at +15000, while the Eagles’ Jalen Carter is the betting favorite at -10000.