The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft on outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, but despite some flashes of potential, the former No. 32 overall pick has yet to live up to his draft slot.
His lack of consistent production led the Bucs to decline the fifth-year option on Tryon-Shoyinka’s rookie contract this offseason, and they spent their second-round pick in this year’s draft on Alabama outside linebacker Chris Braswell.
That could lead the Bucs to consider trading the former Washington Husky, and Bleacher Report thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a potential partner in such a deal.
Here’s what B/R’s Alex Ballentine had to say about a potential deal:
There’s more to the position than sacks, but he has only 13 across three seasons. His pressure rate has actually been better than you’d think, but it took a dip in 2023. After posting a 13.2 pressure percentage as a rookie, he was down to just 9.1 last season. That would explain why he ceded snaps to YaYa Diaby, who put up 7.5 sacks in his rookie year. Tryon-Shoyinka’s early success and pressure rates would hint at some untapped potential that just might not be reached in Todd Bowles’ defense.
The Steelers’ primary needs might be at wide receiver and corner, but edge depth is a sneaky spot for improvement. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith obviously do the heavy lifting, and Nick Herbig will eat up some snaps, but the Steelers don’t necessarily have a replacement for what Markus Golden gave them last season. Tryon-Shoyinka would have the opportunity to learn under a coaching staff that has helped Highsmith become a productive starter alongside a superstar in Watt.
The upcoming 2024 season is obviously a make-or-break campaign for Tryon-Shoyinka should he remain in Tampa Bay, but if the Bucs get an offer they like, it wouldn’t be shocking if they prefer future draft resources instead of hoping to finally get an adequate return on their first-round investment.
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