The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Assessing Buccaneers’ 2018 Rookie Class: A mixed bag

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Vita Vea of Washington high fives fans after being picked #12 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Vita Vea of Washington high fives fans after being picked #12 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

DT Vita Vea (Rd. 1, Pick 12)

Vita Vea quickly proved why the Buccaneers viewed him as one of the top players in the Draft. He was a force inside, clogging up rushing lanes with brute force.

His ability to take on double teams and allow his teammates to clean up the play was a big factor in Tampa’s defensive improvement under Mark Duffner.

Vea ended his rookie campaign with 28 tackles and three sacks. The Athletic’s Greg Auman pointed out on Twitter that those numbers matched the totals of Gerald McCoy‘s rookie season.

Related Story. Vita Vea named to PFF All-Rookie Team. light

To say that Vea’s career started poorly is an understatement. At the start of training camp, trainers carted him off the field with a calf injury.

Unable to practice or get preseason reps, Vea missed the first three games of the season. It would take him five more weeks to get his body right and produce on the field.

From Week 9 to the season finale, Vea was right, and it earned him PFF All-Rookie Team honors.

Next. Buccaneers: 5 under the radar head coaching candidates. dark

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

Home/Bucs News