As we get further along the NFL’s Top 100 list, we’re going to see more and more Bucs appear. Their second player to have their name on it is nose tackle Vita Vea, who comes in at 76.
Vea is one ahead of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. He also joins Lavonte David as the two Bucs currently on the list, with David at 96 and likely more from Tampa Bay to come when numbers get lower and lower.
Vita Vea made his second Pro Bowl last year. He played in 16 regular season games, recording 42 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, a career-high seven sacks and one pass breakup. Vea came into this season in great shape and put on display to everybody why he’s considered to be a top defensive lineman in this league.
DTs Logan Hall and Vita Vea and OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Vita Vea Comes In At 76
This is what NFL.com had to say about having Vea at 76 out of 100.
“A consistent defensive presence for the Buccaneers, Vea makes his first appearance on the Top 100 list. In his seventh season, Vea recorded a career high in sacks and tackles for loss in 16 starts. His consistency to wreak havoc in the run game earned Vea his second Pro Bowl nod. He’ll hope to continue to extend Tampa Bay’s NFC South title streak to five in 2025.
“NFL Pro Insight for Vea: The Buccaneers defense was more effective against inside runs with Vea on the field this season, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry, compared to 4.7 yards per carry when he was off the field. Vea also generated 47 pressures, the seventh-most among defensive tackles and his most in a single season in his career.”
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Giants QB Tommy DeVito – Photo by: USA Today
The NFL also put out a highlight video of Vea on their social media commemorating the best moments from last season and also his career. There was commentary from several players such as current teammate Tristan Wirfs, running backs Jamaal Williams and Alexander Mattison, former teammate Jameis Winston and Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom.
Wirfs was first featured on it praising Vea’s talents.
“You break the huddle and you see Vita out there, you’re like ‘Son of a gun,’” Wirfs said of Vea. “For being how big he is, somebody that big shouldn’t move that fast. Terrifying.”
It was also interesting to get Lindstrom’s perspective considering he’s seen Vea up front as much as anyone in the league with thw Bucs and Falcons playing against each other twice each season.
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Raiders C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“He is extremely strong, very long and then he also plays fast,” Lindstrom said. “He gets off the ball really good. Vita’s one of the biggest humans that there is out there.”
What’s In Store For The Bucs This Season?
For all the talk about his size, it’s Vea’s speed that might be the most fascinating. There have been several times where Vea has tracked down runners on the other side of the field or the most mobile of quarterbacks. He’s also dropped back in coverage from time to time to make plays. Vea certainly has a the rare ability to move as an interior defensive lineman that is not replicated by anyone else around.
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
With Calijah Kancey lined up next to him and a one-two combination on the interior, plus the addition of Yaya Diaby at outside linebacker, the Bucs could have a menacing defensive line going into the season. As long as they play a majority of the season, you might see all three on this list depending on how the Bucs’ season goes.