Bucs Strengths And Weaknesses: DL
Pewter Report analyzes each position’s strengths and weaknesses in Tampa Bay, as the Bucs attempt to three-peat as NFC South champions.
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Next up is Tampa Bay’s defensive line, which has gotten noticeably faster and younger, but also smaller and less experienced this offseason. Bucs head coach and defensive mastermind Todd Bowles wanted his unit to get quicker and more athletic this offseason, and the team didn’t re-sign defensive line starters Will Gholston or Akiem Hicks, both of whom are over the age of 30. Gholston and Hicks combined for just one sack last year.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, the team’s backup nose tackle, left for more money with the New York Giants. So that’s half of last year’s defensive line that has departed Tampa Bay. The Bucs spent their first-round pick on defensive tackle Calijah Kancey just one year after spending their first selection on defensive tackle Logan Hall. Kancey and Hall are slated to start opposite nose tackle Vita Vea.
