FAB 3. Bucs Order A Full Plate Of Nacho

You might not know who Rakeem Nunez-Roches is right now, but chances are you’ll know his name by the end of Tampa Bay’s preseason.

The reason? There might not be another Bucs defensive lineman that plays more snaps in the preseason than Nunez-Roches.

Nunez-Roches has had a really, really good training camp and played 33 snaps in Pittsburgh in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener last Friday. The only defensive lineman who played more was Jeremiah Ledbetter, who took the field for 38 plays.

Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

The reason why Nunez-Roches, who is affectionately known as “Nacho” by his teammates, started at nose tackle and played so much against the Steelers was because the team’s regular starting nose tackle, Vita Vea, and reserve Beau Allen were out due to injuries. Vea will miss the entire preseason, and Allen will be back for the next two games, but likely won’t play in the fourth preseason game as head coach Bruce Arians will want to rest his starters and top reserves.

The fact that Ledbetter, who mainly plays defensive end and three-technique defensive tackle, is out with an ankle sprain he suffered in practice on Tuesday against Miami means that Nunez-Roches will see even more playing time due to his versatility to play all three defensive line positions.

“Nacho is a great guy,” said Bucs inside linebacker Kevin Minter, who lines up right behind him on defense. “He plays forward whether it be pass or run, and he can play all up and down the line in several spots for us. He’s also a pretty smart player. He has great instincts and a really good football sense. He just needs to keep developing. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be in the rotation along the defensive line.

“Nacho played really well and he played damn near the whole game too with Vita and Beau out. He played great. He’s kind of short in stature, but he plays balls to the walls on every play. And I love the “Nacho” nickname, too! Who wants to say Nunez-Roches all damn day? Do you know what I’m saying?

Born in Dangriga in Belize, which is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, in the Caribbean Sea, Nunez-Roches made his way to Southern Miss where he played for head coach Todd Monken, who was the Bucs wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator for the past three years. Nunez-Roches was selected by Kansas City in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in 34 games from 2015-17 for the Chiefs and recorded 1.5 sacks and 51 tackles.

Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When injuries hit the defensive tackle position last year, Bucs general manager Jason Licht signed Nunez-Roches and released Jerel Worthy in October. The 6-foot-2, 307-pound Nunez-Roches recorded two tackles in reserve duty for the Bucs last season and signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in March. He’s excited to play all three defensive line positions in Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme.

“I like it because I can play anywhere Coach needs me – end, nose or the three,” Nunez-Roches. “I can slant. I can go left and right, up and down the line of scrimmage – anywhere he needs me.”

The Bucs also have a need for Nunez-Roches on special teams – and not just field goal block. Nunez-Roches is also on the actual field goal-PAT team as a tight end. Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong likes using two defensive linemen at the tight end position for added size and strength when it comes to blocking. Nunez-Roches, Vea, Allen and Will Gholston are the four defensive linemen that block on field goals and punts.

“I like playing special teams,” Nunez-Roches said. “Any way I can help the team I’m going to do it. I can plug in virtually anywhere.”

Bucs left guard Ali Marpet has seen Nunez-Roches make big strides in practice and is not surprised by the early success he’s had in camp.

“He’s a hard-charging guy and he always plays 100 percent,” Marpet said. “He’s really developed his hands and he’s more technical. I think his position flexibility really helps him out. We do have a very competitive D-line group. There are a lot of good players there and I think that just makes everyone like him play a little bit harder. He’s really developed into a good player.”

Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Nunez-Roches is one of several players on defense playing on a one-year contract, including safety Kentrell Brice and outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Carl Nassib, with all the incentive in the world to perform well.

“He’s really working hard and he’s doing a lot of great things for us,” Nassib said. “Nacho has a lot of things going for him and he’s only getting better.”

With all the playing time he will be receiving in the preseason Nunez-Roches has no choice but to get better.