Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Top storylines to watch during training camp
Pecking order along the defensive line
The Buccaneers only mustered an NFL-worst 22 sacks last season. With no pressure, from the Tampa Bay front, opposing quarterbacks completed over 67 percent of their passes in 2017.
Immediate acquisitions were made in the offseason. Beau Allen, Mitch Unrein and Vinny Curry were added in free agency. Tampa continued their focus in the trenches with a surprising trade for Jason Pierre-Paul. Throw in the first-round selection of Vita Vea, the Buccaneers are going to have trouble deciding who will garner the most snaps in camp.
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Obviously, JPP will play at his regular right defensive end position and Gerald McCoy will line up at the defensive tackle spot but there are still other spots to go around.
Allen has been a spot starter (8 starts in 63 games) so far in his career and rookie first-round pick Vea will likely battle for the tackle position with Allen probably winning. Leading to rotational duty with Vea much like the Super Bowl Champion Eagles did with their tackles last season.
On the left end position, there will also most likely be a rotation of Curry and Noah Spence with Curry probably being the starter.
With so much talent along the defensive line, it seems to be a good problem to have. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith has plenty of options to work with and it will be a heated debate throughout the preseason.