The Buccaneers aim to flip sacks into a top-10 pace while keeping their passing defense healthier. Haason Reddick arrives to spark a revamped edge group, giving Todd Bowles a path to double-digit production without eroding coverage. If TB can sustain rush impact on third downs while tightening the back end, the defense can finally reap the benefits of a disruptive unit.

Key is a breakout from the pass rush beyond the named splash. If Yaya Diaby or another edge player steps up and someone clears Shaq Barrett’s shadow with 10+ sacks, Tampa Bay would see a true, must-pass threat grind down opponents. This duo would redefine their ceiling and fantasy value across defensive lines and streaming options.

Geno Smith, James Conner, Ladd McConkey, Tucker Kraft, Sam Cosmi, YaYa Diaby, Jack Campbell and Christian Benford anchor a list of underrated NFL talents for 2025. The piece highlights how Smith’s clean-pocket efficiency could translate into late-round fantasy upside with the Raiders, Conner’s all-around production and efficiency metrics, and McConkey’s route-running and production as a rookie in a run-heavy Charger attack. Kraft’s yardage and targets project him as a potential top-5 TE with room to grow, while Cosmi, despite missing time, has elite run- and pass-blocking marks. Diaby’s leap as an edge, Campbell’s tackling and coverage strides, and Benford’s defensive efficiency round out the cohort, underscoring which players could outpace public perception under a favorable roster context.

For fantasy managers, the piece argues these players offer solid floor and meaningful upside: Smith in a pro-grade system with protection, Conner in a 0-1 punch with high yards after contact, McConkey as a high-volume yak creator, Kraft as a heater for Jordan Love’s target tree, Cosmi as a blocker with pass-protection upside, Diaby as a breakout edge, Campbell as a versatile LB with coverage gains, and Benford as a shutdown corner in a stout Bills defense. The angle blends efficiency metrics with opportunity and health.

Altogether, the roster context, performance trends and injury notes create a blueprint for identifying value in season-long and DFS formats, offering a fresh slate of players who could overperform relative to their draft cost.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to kick off their first fully padded practice of the 2025 training camp, marking a significant turning point in the team's preparation. After a crucial five-day ramp-up period with limited contact, players will now don full pads, intensifying competition levels. Linebacker Yaya Diaby expressed excitement about the increased physicality, noting the impressive collapse of the pocket during camp. Center Graham Barton acknowledged the necessity of the initial practices for honing fundamentals but eagerly anticipates the more authentic football experience that comes with pads.