Defensive Tackles:The Bucs drafted Gerald McCoy, in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. McCoy is the highest-drafted interior lineman by the Buccaneers since Warren Sapp was selected 12th overall in 1995. McCoy played collegiately, for the University of Oklahoma, where his 40 consecutive starts led the Sooners and is a school record for defensive linemen. He finished his college career with 83 tackles, including 14.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one interception and had four passes defensed. Since entering the NFL McCoy has been selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2012-15). He has amassed 35.5 career sacks, the fifth-most in franchise history. He has started 79 of 79 possible games he has played in, missing a total of 13 games during his first two years in the NFL. McCoy leads all NFL defensive tackles in sacks since 2013 (26.5). McCoy is a gentle giant with first step quickness and explosion at the snap to penetrate opposing backfields and disrupt the run and apply heat to opposing quarterbacks. McCoy was a 2013 Associated Press All-Pro First Team Selection and a 2014 Associated Press All-Pro Second Team Selection. Sporting News voted McCoy a 2x First Team All-Pro Selection (2013-14). McCoy is primed to take that proverbial next step in his maturation process under the watchful eye of current Buccaneers defensive line coach Jay Hayes, who is a demanding players coach, which will get the best out of McCoy while pushing to elevate his play to new heights. After a breakout season in 2013, the Buccaneers signed Clinton McDonald on March 12, 2014, as an unrestricted free agent from Seattle. McDonald originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick, (249th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2009. McDonald played four seasons at Memphis (2005-08), starting 33-of-48 games played, totaling 141 tackles and 11.5 sacks. McDonald was voted first-team All-Conference USA as a senior, recording a team-leading 7.0 sacks. McDonald has played in 71 career games, with 21 starts, recording 175 tackles, 10.5 sacks, five passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. His two interceptions since 2013 are tied for the most by a defensive lineman in the NFL (Haloti Ngata, Justin Tuck). McDonald was placed on injured reserve in November of 2015. McDonald is entering his eight seasons in the NFL in 2016.McDonald is a locker room leader and a quality starter that has deceptive quickness and is a stout run defender. The Bucs drafted Akeem Spence in the fourth round (100th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Spence started all 38 games he played in at Illinois, totaling 186 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 26 quarterback pressures. Since entering the NFL Spence has played in 40 games, with 26 starts, missing the first eight games of the 2015 season due to a lower back injury. In his 40 games played Spence has amassed 77 total tackles, five sacks, and three fumble recoveries. Spence is a stout immoveable fire hydrant in the middle. Spence is a bull of a human being even at his 6-foot-1, 303 pound stature. Spence offers some pocket collapsing ability and wiggle as a pass rusher. Spence will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2016 NFL season. The Buccaneers signed AJ Francis in May 2016 as an unrestricted free agent, after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks. Francis entered the NFL after going un-drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Francis signed with the Miami Dolphins in April 2013. Since entered the league Francis has spent time with the Dolphins, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Francis’ full name is Anthony Joseph Francis. He played collegiately for the University of Maryland where he amassed 149 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, while starting 35 of 49 games. Francis played defensive end in college in a 3-4 scheme for the Terrapins. Francis is a stout player with above average height weight measurables at 6-foot-5 330-pounds. A true plugger is the mold of former Seattle DE/DT Red Bryant. Francis is a true nose in a 3-4 playing the 0 Technique (lined up head up over the center) or a 1, 4 or 5 Tech in a 4-3 under as a two-gapping player. Francis’ has rare versatility and excels in the kinds of skills that will allow the Buccaneers to use both three- and four-man fronts. Travis Britz was signed by the Buccaneers after participating in the team’s rookie mini-camp, as an undrafted rookie free agent. Britz played his college football for Kansas State starting 36 of 47 games – tying the school’s career record with five blocked kicks. He amassed 111 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one forced fumble and five blocked kicks. Britz has decent size at 6-foot-4 300 pounds. A powerful player that’s tough against the run and he is a hard worker - can play end in a 3-4 or 4-3 under as a two gapping player. Brtiz is a former High School wrestler. He brings a blue collar type work ethic to the field. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, but he can hold the point and clog running lanes. The Buccaneers signed DaVonte Lambert, as an undrafted rookie free agent following the conclusion of the 2016 NFL Draft. Lambert missed time in 2014 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Lambert played collegiately for the University of Auburn where he played in 23 games amassing 48 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, three passes defensed and one forced fumble. At 6-foot-2, 280-pounds Lambert lacks ideal size as a defense tackle. He can play on the interior or the edge. Lambert was rated as the No. 1 defensive line prospect in the junior college ranks. Where he lead Georgia Military College to the 2012 NJCAA national championship game finishing his two-year junior college career with 63 tackles, 10 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and seven tackles for loss. Lambert plays with exceptional power and leverage. He showcases outstanding technique and routinely shows his ability to get off blocks and make plays. Showed explosion and burst off the snap pre-injury. Lambert looked to still be rounding back in to form in 2015.
