With the Bucs set to kick off training camp in nine days, it’s time to break down the positional battles. I’ll feature a new position group every other day leading up to training camp. So far, we’ve covered the offensive side of the ball with battles at wide receiver, running back, and offensive line. Today we’ll move over to the defense, with a breakdown of the defensive line.

Much like the offensive line, the defensive line returns fully intact this season. The Bucs did well to bring back a key starter in Ndamukong Suh on a one-year deal.  They also re-signed key backups in Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Steve McClendon. Both played a big part in filling in for Vita Vea when he suffered a fractured ankle in Week 5.

Vea had his fifth-year option picked up this offseason and looks to build upon a stellar performance in the playoffs. Like Suh, long-time Buccaneer Will Gholston enters a contact year.

The Starters

As starters, Vea, Gholston and Suh are locked into their respective roles. Gholston has been an unheralded hero on the line both in the run game and as an underrated pass disrupter. Matching his career-high sack total with three in 2020, Gholton is an undervalued pass rusher as well. Going into the month of December, he had the sixth highest pass rush grade of all interior defensive linemen, per Pro Football Focus. Gholston’s ability to set the edge has helped the Bucs have the NFL’s best run defense in back-to-back seasons.

At age 33, Suh showed no signs of slowing down and was a major factor in both the run and pass game. Suh averaged about 75 percent of the defensive snaps per game on his way to a six-sack season. He showed up when it mattered most in the Bucs Super Bowl victory, recording 1.5 sacks in that game.

Vea was off to an amazing start to the season before a fractured ankle in the Bucs’ Week 5 loss knocked him out for the year. He worked diligently to return and was able to get on the field for the final two games of the postseason against the Packers and Chiefs. Vea’s presence was felt instantly. In the win against the Packers, with Vea bolstering the middle, Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul were able to get to Aaron Rodgers and sack him five times. Fully healthy this season, Vea should establish himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL.

Top Reserves

When Vea went down, the Bucs looked for someone to answer the call. Nunez-Roches did just that. Paired with McClendon, who was acquired in a trade with the Jets, the duo helped sustain one of the league’s top defensive fronts. In fact, from Vea’s injury until Week 17, the Bucs allowed the second fewest yards per attempt in the league. Nunez-Roches tallied 23 tackles in the regular season, including four QB hits. “Nacho” offers little as a pass rusher, but he’s a capable fill-in starter against the run.

Speaking of answering the call, McLendon was a crucial run defense solution after Vea’s absence created depth questions for the Bucs. McLendon impressed against the run, with 19 total stops in the regular season. He added four more to go along with three QB hits in the postseason.

Nacho is firmly entrenched in the fourth spot on the defensive line depth chart. Where he should slide right into the top rotational role. Penciled in behind him, McLendon may not be a lock to make the team.

Battle for The Backups

As mentioned above, I don’t necessarily see McLendon as a lock on this Bucs team. As the oldest defensive tackle in the NFL to take a snap in 2020, it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank. With younger players eager to see playing time, they will push McLendon.

As exclusive rights free agents, Patrick O’Connor and Jeremiah Ledbetter were both easy re-signings for the Bucs. O’Connor made the roster out of camp, contributing primarily on special teams. In Week 4 he blocked a punt against the Broncos and notched his first career sack against the Vikings. Ledbetter was first called up early in the season for the Week 6 matchup against the Packers. After reverting back to the practice squad, he was elevated again in Week 14, spending the remainder of the season on the roster. Ledbetter was active for the Bucs Week 16 tilt against the Lions, recording his first sack of the year.

Bucs 2020 sixth round pick Khalil Davis essentially had a redshirt year, playing in only a few games as a rookie. The team likes what they have in him and he drew great reviews from peers. With his speed and quick-twitch ability, he will try to carve out a role on the roster.

Facing Long Odds

Out of the remaining players on the depth chart, Benning Potoa’e stands the best chance to challenge for a roster spot. Signed after the season to a two-year futures contract, Potoa’e spent the entire season on the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster twice, including once in the playoffs. A stout run defender, he was former teammates with Vea and rookie Joe Tryon at the University of Washington.

Kobe Smith and Sam Renner round out the roster. Smith joined the practice squad in October, where he remained for the season. Renner was signed as a free agent shortly after the Super Bowl.

Undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder is technically listed as a defensive lineman, but could make the transition to an edge defender. He was named to the ACC’s first-team all-conference in 2019.

The Verdict

Much like the offensive line, a lot will come down to whether the Bucs choose to keep six or seven lineman on the roster. The top four are set in place and the battle for the remaining spots will be intense. The team could look to free agency or cut down days to add a more established veteran. As of now, McLendon is the only player out of the remaining group with real playing time. O’Connor seems like a safe bet to make the squad out of camp due to his special teams contributions.

I project the team to keep seven interior defensive linemen, which would leave two spots remaining. In a fierce battle, I expect the final spots to go to Davis and McLendon. This could change if there is a player outside the building the Bucs choose to bring in that pushes McLendon off the roster. Look for Ledbetter and Potoa’e to return to the team’s practice squad if they make it through waivers.

Keeping the focus on defense, my preview of the outside linebacker position will be out on Sunday.