Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A big sophomore season for Vita Vea?

How will the Bucs use Vea in 2019?

With the experience that he has and his freakish athleticism for his size look for Vita Vea to have a massive 2019 season. In the 3-4 Vea will usually be lined up in the dead center of the defense alongside Suh. Vea will thrive on a defense that prioritizes blitz heavy-play calling and aggression from the line of scrimmage.

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Due to the sheer lack of depth for the Bucs at defensive tackle Vea will be forced into the limelight whether he wants it or not. Vea has a remarkably high ceiling wherever he lines up on the defensive line and will be a solid run stopper and a frightening pass rusher. He has shown flashes of greatness when he has been healthy and will look to maintain a high level of play for a full season for the first time as a true starter.

Earlier this offseason, Vea told the media that he had been working to lose weight as well so that he could stay on the field longer. This could also lead to Vea playing more as a 3-technique defensive tackle as well as at nose tackle in Bowles’ 3-4 scheme.

As one of the featured players on this defense in 2019 look for Vea to produce some very impressive numbers with a Pro Bowl appearance as a not so remote possibility. If Vea can produce 7.0 to 8.0 sacks from the defensive tackle position the Buccaneer defense could see a significant uptick in production.

Look for Vea to have an impressive sophomore season that is hopefully injury free. If so the Buccaneers defensive front that is starved for depth could see a boost across the board.