Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down depth along the defensive line

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not sitting pretty along their defensive line as it is even hard to name a third starter, let alone a group of rotational guys.

As our series of breaking down every position on the depth chart continues, we move along to the defensive line of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is a position group that has taken over the news cycle in Tampa Bay, but at the end of the day, may be the room with the least amount of depth on the entire roster.

Gerald McCoy is gone, and the Buccaneers did not seek to address the position until the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, meaning they will, once again, have to use a high asset on the defensive line just as they did in 2018. The six-time Pro Bowler went on to sign with the Carolina Panthers just a week after being released by the Buccaneers.

In Todd Bowles’ 3-4 system, the Buccaneers will only start three defensive tackles surrounded by four linebackers. Bowles is a massive upgrade to the coaching staff, and as a result the defensive must take a leap forward if the Buccaneers want to compete for an NFC South crown.

However, the depth of this group warrants some major concern as the Buccaneers do not even have a third guy on the roster who can be pointed at as a starter. Who will start, play a rotational role, and have straight up trouble making the team? Here is a breakdown of the defensive line in Tampa Bay.