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.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering training camp with a renewed focus on establishing a long-term core and identity, signaling a pivotal moment for the franchise. With Baker Mayfield leading the charge as the presumed franchise quarterback, the team is eager to maximize the potential of its promising young talents from recent drafts, including Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, and Yaya Diaby. The coaching staff will evaluate the performance of rookies and second-year players in critical positions, especially at cornerback and wide receiver, as competition heats up behind established stars Chris Godwin Jr. and Mike Evans.

This training camp is crucial not only for the upcoming season but for defining the Buccaneers' future in an increasingly competitive NFC South, where opportunities abound with rivals like the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons struggling to find consistency. As the Bucs work to rediscover their defensive prowess, particularly at edge rusher and in the secondary, the outcomes of this camp could determine their trajectory and establish a new identity separate from past glories.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line has faced scrutiny after their ranking slipped to 27th in the latest Pro Football Focus evaluations. Despite the standout performances from stalwarts like Vita Vea, the overall unit's depth and impact have come into question. With promising resurgence noted in Yaya Diaby's second year, the Bucs still hinge heavily on Vea's experience and skill to anchor their defensive schemes.

Questions linger about the effectiveness of the defensive line, particularly in the face of fierce competition across the league. The Bucs have made significant changes to their roster in recent years, aiming to build a formidable defensive front, yet their current ranking suggests that further improvement is necessary if they wish to contend seriously this season.

Yaya Diaby, the promising edge rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is poised for a breakout season in 2025. After a solid rookie year with 7.5 sacks and a lesser total of 4.5 sacks last season, his true impact is reflected in his impressive pressure metrics. In 2024, he led the Buccaneers in total pressures with 57, ranking 18th among NFL edge rushers, and achieved a notable 13.3% pressure rate, a significant improvement from 9.1% in his rookie year. His pass-rush win rate also saw an uptick, reaching 17.4%.

With the addition of reinforcements to the defensive line, expectations are high for Diaby to elevate his game. His ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks, as evidenced by his 20 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for loss last season, suggests that he is on the verge of translating those pressures into more sacks. As the defensive unit strengthens, Diaby’s role will be crucial in enhancing the Buccaneers’ pass rush in the upcoming season.