Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vita Vea, Gerald McCoy could be a dominant duo

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected defensive tackle Vita Vea in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He and Gerald McCoy could be a dominant duo.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2018 NFL Draft with what most believed were specific needs. Tampa Bay was one of the worst defensive teams in the league in 2017, which fortunately resulted in a heavy push for talent on that end of the ball.

Second-round draft picks Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart should help Tampa Bay improve in the secondary, but it was the first-round pick who could permit dominance.

The Buccaneers finished the 2017 regular season as the only team in the NFL to allow more than 6,000 yards from scrimmage. It ranked No. 22 in points allowed, No. 23 in rushing yards allowed, and No. 32 in passing yards allowed.

In the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers surprised many by selecting an interior lineman who could turn the defense around: Washington Huskies defensive tackle Vita Vea.

At No. 12 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers may have created the foundation for a dominant front seven.

Vea is a 6’4″ and 347-pound defensive tackle whose combination of power and explosiveness made him a first-round draft pick. He can shed blockers, consume two linemen, or bull-rush those in front of him on his way to the quarterback or running back.

While still fundamentally raw, Vea is a physically overwhelming force who has the tools to become an All-Pro type of player in the NFL.

Thankfully for the Buccaneers, Vea’s transition to the NFL will be aided by a defensive lineman who has already received that honor: Gerald McCoy.

McCoy is a four-time All-Pro, including three First Team nods, as well as a six-time Pro Bowl honoree. More importantly: He’s one of the best pass-rushing interior linemen in the NFL—a reputation he’s established in spite of the talent around him.

With Vea now working alongside him, McCoy could elevate his game while mentoring a player who has every tool to extend his career and dominate inside himself.

Must Read: Denver Broncos: Royce Freeman could make an immediate splash

With Gerald McCoy and Vita Vea at defensive tackle, and Jason Pierre-Paul attacking from the outside, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have a dominant defensive line in 2018.