Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down depth along the defensive line
By Cory Kinnan
The returners
The Buccaneers are also bringing back five defensive tackles from last year, but the problem is, outside of 2018 first rounder Vita Vea, they just are not that good and starting one of the remaining four will have to be an option. Outside of Vea and Suh, the next men up are Beau Allen and William Gholston.
In his first year with the team in 2018, Allen started eight games, did not record a sack, tallied just two tackles for loss, and three hits on the quarterback; he graded out as an average 57.5 according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Allen, however, is probably safe to make the roster as he agreed to take a pay cut this offseason and quite frankly, the Buccaneers do not have many options otherwise.
Gholston graded out poorly last season at a below average 34.7 according to PFF, and he is not a lock to make the team due to the financial number attached to his name. After signing a new deal with the Buccaneers last season, Gholston’s play has taken a serious hit.
Last year Gholston recorded just two starts, appearing in all 16 games and one sack, one tackle for loss, and seven hits on the quarterback. He is due to make $3.75 million this year, $4.75 million next year, and $5.5 million in 2021, however he has no guaranteed money left on his deal, so the Buccaneers can let him walk and see all of his salary in return.
Other guys returning to the roster who could potentially compete for a roster spot are Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jeremiah Ledbetter. However, these two players combined for no sacks, no tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and no hits on the quarterback for the Buccaneers a year ago.