PewterReport.com analyzes the top players in the 2018 NFL Draft with its position previews. Scott Reynolds previews the defensive tackle position with a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need up front along the interior defensive line, a detailed list of this year’s top defensive tackles and offers up the annual PewterReport.com Bucs’ Best Bets – one early round pick, and a pick from the later rounds.

What The Bucs Have At Defensive Tackle

Tampa Bay entered the offseason with just two defensive tackles in Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy and Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, last year’s seventh-round pick, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve. The Bucs also list holdover DaVonte Lambert as a defensive tackle, but he and fellow holdover Channing Ward are swing players that play both end and tackle, but both are long shots to make the 2018 roster.

Bucs DT Gerald McCoy – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs general manager Jason Licht signed Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein in free agency. Allen is slated to replace Chris Baker and Clinton McDonald at nose tackle. Baker was cut due to poor play, and McDonald wasn’t re-signed due to the fact that the Bucs wanted to get younger and bigger inside. Allen and Unrein are noted run-stuffers, and Unrein has the flexibility to play strongside defensive end in addition to nose tackle.

What The Bucs Need At Defensive Tackle

Tampa Bay kept four defensive tackles on the roster last year in McCoy, McDonald, Baker and Sealver Siliga, who also wasn’t re-signed this year. McCoy, Allen and Unrein are locks to make the roster this year, but they will need another defensive tackle to compete with Tu’ikolovatu and others for the final spot on the roster. With Allen, Unrein and Tu’ikolovatu primarily being run defenders, look for Licht and head coach Dirk Koetter to pursue a pass-rushing defensive tackle in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Whether it’s Washington’s Vita Vea in the first round, Fort Hays State’s Nathan Shepherd in the second round or Sam Houston State’s B.J. Hall in the middle rounds, the Bucs will likely play to the strength of the draft and select a defensive tackle from this year’s crop. McCoy turned 30 this year and despite making his sixth Pro Bowl in 2017, his sack numbers have declined in each of the last three seasons. Finding an heir apparent might be a priority in this draft. Keep in mind that the Bucs like big defensive tackles.

Click Page 2 For The DT Rankings