With the NFL draft approaching the Buccaneers will have many opportunities to improve their team and in particular their defense. They still have needs at critical positions, and the biggest position of need may be EDGE. Luckily for them, there are a lot of pass rushers available in this year’s class so they should be in a good position to land one at some point. If the Bucs elect to go elsewhere with their first-round selection, they could find that EDGE on day two.
That’s where Penn State’s Dani
Dennis-Sutton could fit in.
Dani Dennis-Sutton’s Collegiate Career
Dennis-Sutton found success at Penn State as soon as he stepped onto the field as a four-star recruit. As a true freshman, Dennis-Sutton appeared in 13 games and had three sacks. He followed a good freshman year with another solid season as a sophomore as this was the first season he’d get serious looks as a starter, starting three games for the Nittany Lions and registering 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. His junior season is where he would really stand out though. Playing alongside Abdul Carter, Dennis-Sutton started 14 of 16 games and had 42 total tackles with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles and even had an interception. He finished tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 13 and tied for sixth in sacks.
That stellar junior season had many excited for his senior year and at the beginning of the season he was considered a potential first round pick. He certainly wasn’t bad in his senior campaign, but he didn’t exactly take the big leap that many people had thought and hoped he would. Penn State as a whole had a really disappointing season, but he was still a bright spot on that defense finishing yet again with 42 total tackles and 8.5 sacks. He also had three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and even three blocked punts. He did a little bit of everything in 2025.
Pro Day and Scouting Combine
At the combine, Dennis-Sutton weighed in at 6’6”, 256 pounds and ran a 4.63 40-yard dash. He also participated in other drills, recording a 1.63 10-yard split, 39.5” vertical jump, 10’11” broad jump and a 6.9 second three cone drill. He showed off his combination of size and speed in Indy quite well.
At the Penn State pro day Dennis-Sutton ran the 40 again and recorded another 4.63 while also having the exact same vertical and broad jump as well as three cone drill. He did do the bench press and recorded 26 reps.
What Dennis-Sutton can do for the Bucs in 2026
It’s no secret the Bucs need pass rushers and honestly, they need them pretty badly. The lack of a consistent pass rush has really hampered the defense’s ability to have success and while there are other needs on the defense, having a good pass rush is key in today’s NFL. Drafting Dani Dennis-Sutton would give the Bucs a guy that likely wouldn’t come in and get a ton of snaps immediately but as the year goes on, he may see more and more action as a pass rusher.
At the start he can be a situational pass rusher while increasing his role later in the year if all goes well. He’s a talented pass rusher, but it’s hard for rookie pass rushers to come in and make an immediate positive impact. It can take time and may take a little bit of time in his development, but he could definitely show flashes of potential throughout the year and help out the pass rush.
Three Year Outlook
Three years from now, it would not be a shock at all if Dennis-Sutton was a solid starting EDGE defender that can make splash plays forcing fumbles and getting game changing sacks while also being responsible enough as a run defender. He’s a very talented player who knows how to get to the quarterback. A few years of NFL experience and coaching under his belt, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t develop into a good football player. Will he be an elite, star pass rusher? I’m not sure that’s entirely fair to expect that as his ceiling may not be on that level but I think any team who drafts him won’t regret it.
Stock Report
Dani Dennis-Sutton is expected to be a day two pick in this year’s NFL draft. His range is likely in the late second/early to middle third round so perhaps a team like Tampa Bay could look to move down in the second round and acquire more picks while also still landing him. The draft is always unpredictable though and all it takes is one team to really like him to take him a little earlier. Perhaps that team is Tampa Bay.
On the clock…
Bucs fans, the time has come and the choice is yours. Would you draft Dani Dennis-Sutton and add him to the pass rush group? Would you look at other options first? Let us know in the comments section below.
