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What could DeMonte Capehart produce for the Bucs as a rookie?
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- What could DeMonte Capehart produce for the Bucs as a rookie?
Unlike several of the Buccaneers ' earlier draft selections, who are expected to compete for immediate starting-level roles, fifth-round defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart may enter his rookie season in a much more limited rotational situation due to Tampa Bay 's depth along the defensive front.
That does not mean the Buccaneers are not high on his long-term potential.
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Capehart brings the kind of size, length, and raw strength Todd Bowles covets in interior defensive linemen, coming in at 6'4" and 313 lbs. However, Tampa Bay already possesses one of the deepest defensive tackle rotations in the NFC with established contributors such as Vita Vea , Calijah Kancey , A'Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches all expected to command snaps ahead of the rookie early on.
Because of that, Capehart's rookie role will likely center around situational rotational work and developmental reps rather than immediate high-volume production.
A realistic rookie stat line could fall somewhere around 10 to 20 total tackles, two to four tackles for loss, one to three sacks, and a handful of quarterback pressures while appearing primarily in rotational packages throughout the season. Where Capehart could carve out opportunities early is as a rotational run defender. His size and play strength give him the ability to clog rushing lanes, absorb double teams, and help control the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs DL DeMonte Capehart rookie season projections
