10 players who could help Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

2. player. 48. . Edge. Florida. Jachai Polite

Tampa Bay found the future at defensive tackle with Vita Vea in the 2018 NFL Draft. They can answer their pass rushing questions with Jachai Polite in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Polite racked up 19.5 sacks in his impressive junior season with the Florida Gators. Now that the Buccaneers hold a top-five pick, they should be able to land a talented defensive player in a draft chock-full of them.

The Buccaneers defensive line improved last season. Jason Pierre-Paul and Carl Nassib combined for 19 sacks, and Tampa Bay nearly doubled its team sack total with 38.  Still, much work needs to be done in the pass rush department.

Noah Spence was projected to become the Buccaneers top pass rusher a few seasons back, but he barely saw the field in 2018. With Spence as nothing more than an afterthought, Polite can enter the fold and become the Bucs pass rushing specialist.

It’s time to find a true partner in crime for Pierre-Paul next season.