A look into Khalil Davis’ role on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers, Nebraska defensive lineman Khalil Davis has a bright future in Tampa Bay.

Sixth-round picks have a unique history in the NFL. Players like Antonio Brown are (or in Brown’s case, used to be) the poster boys for teams taking a chance on a player in one of the later rounds. Khalil Davis could be that player for the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay has one of the best defensive lines in the league, and Davis’ addition as a depth piece only improves that outlook.

Davis was a 4-3 defensive tackle in college, which places him in a perfect spot to play one of the defensive end roles in the Buccaneer 3-4. It should go without saying that Davis is the furthest thing from a backup for Vita Vea.

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Vea is a 3-4 defensive tackle, and that role requires specific physical attributes that Davis does not possess. If Davis had aspirations to be a nose tackle, he would have to put on at least 20 pounds to be in the same neighborhood as other well-known nose tackles.

The Bucs will have to look elsewhere if they want to find a proper replacement for Vea, but Davis could come in and be a surprising backup for Ndamukong Suh or William Gholston.

Davis likely isn’t coming for anyone’s job in his first year, but he will get sufficient opportunities as a starter in the preseason.

Davis will get many chances to play during the regular season as well, as the line is often mixed and matched to make sure that all players are well-rested and able to perform. If Davis takes advantage of these reps, he could eventually move into a starting role down the road when Suh leaves.

The Buccaneers have found an extremely athletic rookie option here who performed well in college. If Davis can improve his level of play against the run marginally, the Buccaneers could have found their next starting defensive lineman.