Yaya Diaby

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		51	142	19.0	—
2025		17	50	7.0	0
2024		17	54	4.5	0
2023		18

Season	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT	PD	Grade
2025		17	50	7.0	0	—	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2024		17	54	4.5	0	—	C+ C+ Top 48% — above average
2023		18	38	7.5	0	—	D+ D+ Bottom 30%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Yaya Diaby's Contract Value Index lands at B+, putting the deal in a defined slice of comparable signings. The rookie scale contract carries a $1.37M AAV across four years—a bargain-bin commitment for a third-year linebacker with legitimate upside—and that valuation aligns neatly with his B- performance grade, which reflects solid but inconsistent on-field translation. In the 2025 season, Diaby logged 50 tackles and 7 sacks across 17 games, production that underscores the gap between his physical tools and starter-level consistency; he's a developing pass rusher with real ceiling, not yet a proven foundation piece. At 27 years old and three seasons into his NFL tenure, Diaby occupies the classic prove-it window where the organization can extract affordable production while he either solidifies into a rotation anchor or becomes a trade candidate—the recent addition of competitive edge-rush talent on the roster sharpens that pressure. The CVI reflects a team betting on trajectory within a low-cost structure; the media consensus frames him as a high-ceiling prospect on the cusp of breakout, and his early enthusiasm for Tampa Bay's revamped defensive scheme suggests organizational confidence in his role, even if the depth chart remains crowded and his standing unproven. This is a well-priced deal that rewards player development without committing serious capital—exactly the kind of contract that lets a rebuilding-phase roster maintain flexibility while testing young talent.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Yaya's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Yaya Diaby is a third-year edge linebacker for Tampa Bay, still carving out his identity as a full-time starter after 51 career games. He earns a B- overall grade, reflecting a player trending in the right direction but not yet consistently impactful. At 27, Diaby profiles as a developing pass-rush specialist with legitimate upside still on the table. His calling card is pass-rush production — a sacks-per-game rate of 0.41 significantly outpaces the NFL average of 0.15, placing him near elite territory. His TFL rate of 0.50 per game also clears the league average of 0.27, confirming he's a genuine backfield disruptor. The clear weakness is pass coverage, where his 0.06 pass deflections per game falls well short of the 0.18 NFL average, limiting his versatility in modern scheme packages. After back-to-back C grades in 2023 and 2025 bookending a B- in 2024, Diaby's trajectory reads as inconsistent rather than ascending. The 2024 improvement showed he can elevate his game when healthy and in rhythm, but regression in 2025 raises questions about sustainability. If he can shore up coverage responsibilities and maintain his pass-rush burst, a ceiling in the B+ range is realistic within the next two seasons.

How Yaya Compares at the Position

Yaya Diaby ranks 79th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Yaya between D.j. Wonnum (B-) just ahead and Zach Cunningham (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Yaya Diaby enters 2026 as a depth edge rusher with modest career production (19 sacks over three seasons) and remains a rotational contributor rather than a franchise cornerstone. Recent media coverage reflects organizational skepticism, with reports indicating the Buccaneers expect more from Diaby and are actively developing competition at his position through draft additions like Rueben Bain and Calijah Kancey. While some headlines acknowledge his effort and potential upside—including optimism about reduced double-team opportunities—the dominant narrative centers on performance gaps and the need for tangible improvement. Fan and media perception is cautiously neutral-to-skeptical, viewing Diaby as a young player still proving his value rather than an established starter. His 2026 season will be critical for his roster security; continued modest production could accelerate his transition to a reserve role or free agency.