Reasons The BUCS Could Draft a Defensive Lineman In the 2021 Draft
The 1st Round of the 2021 Draft brought DE Joe Tyron from Washington to Tampa. A much-welcomed selection. However, when many fans think of the pass rush, they think of defensive ends exclusively.
Last season, we saw how this defense changes significantly without a constant formidable threat at the DT spot.
Over the last two seasons, the biggest piece of the pass rush has come from Vita Vea. The same Vita Vea that was once relegated to “a 2-Down run stuffing NT” during the lead up to the 2018 NFL Draft.
Ndamkung Suh(34) is, once again, on 1-yr contract.
William Gholston(30) contract is up at the end of the season.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches(27) was brought back on a 2-yr contract.
Steve McClendon(35) was re-signed for 1yr after appearing in 9 games as a reserve when Vita Vea was injured, forcing Nunez-Roches to start.
Both the youth and talent level at the defensive tackle position can be addressed and upgraded. While there are guys like Khalil Davis, last year’s 6th Round selection, and Jeremiah Ledbetter, a 2017 6th Rounder are on the roster, there’s not a whole lot of obvious talent that’s pushing to challenge anything more than 4th string at the moment. And Ledbetter is a restricted free agent at the end of the year.
Targeting a couple more defensive linemen wouldn’t be a surprise on Day 2 of the draft. In fact, it would probably be ideal for a defense that’s both predicated on pressure up front as well as facing contractual issues with its young secondary in a very short time.
Overall, the entire DT draft is looked at as a weak group. That’s gonna cause a lot of guys to be taken late. Personally, I think this DT class is gonna produce some damn good player whose true value will be seen next year. Eight of this year’s Top 10 DTs have only played 2 seasons in college. While the DE position shares a similar number, it’s been far easier to stand out as a DE than DT in recent years.
3 Potential Targets
Levi Onzurike(WASH)(UPDATE—- 2nd Round, Pick #9) - This dude has one of the quickest first steps in the draft. He can get in the backfield fast and track down whoever’s unfortunate enough to be holding the ball.
Tyler Shelvin(LSU)-This dude is BIG. Vita Vea big. 6’2, 350lbs of MEAN. He’s a bit limited as a pure pass rusher. But, he’s athletic enough and strong enough to be a big presence while rotating with the likes of a Vea. One of the reasons Shelvin could be available well past the midway point of the draft is because he’s gonna be seen as a pure NT. And that plays right into the hands of the BUCS.
Daviyon Nixon(IOWA)-This cat is one of the most athletic defensive linemen coming out this year. He doesn’t have the initial burst of the aforementioned Onzurike. But, he has relentless effort and crazy instincts. And that’s crazy. He can read a play and attack right off the bat with varying results. But, that 2nd effort and 2nd move comes so quick, it’s gonna be a problem for most guards.
Jaylen Twyman(PITT)- 1st ACC in his sophomore year. 10.5 sacks in 2019. Initially, it was said he was too small. That was prior to his Pro Day. After sitting out the 2020 season, he put in some work. At 6’2, 300lbs, size shouldn’t be an issue. Another DT with the a quick first step but raw pass rushing ability, Twyman could immediately step in and rotate with either Suh or Gholston as a pass rushing lineman.
