The 2018 first round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive tackle Vita Vea, has slimmed down this offseason. According to The Athletic’s Greg Auman, Vea is working on his “beach body,” in the hopes of staying on the field in passing situations instead of plugging up gaps on running downs.
Taking a huge step in his second year is paramount for Vea if the Buccaneers have plans of moving past the 5-11 mark they have hit in the previous two seasons. After the departure of Gerald McCoy, the Buccaneers will need Vea to stay on the field for more than two downs at a time and provide a pass rush for a defense that struggled under former defensive coordinator Mike Smith.