Bucs are bigger, and they say better, on the defensive line

Size matters. After being pushed around against the run last season, the Bucs believe bigger is better on defense, and their 2026 roster reflects that emphasis.

The Bucs were 21st in the NFL in rushing defense in 2025, allowing 114.5 rushing yards per game.

As a result, head coach Todd Bowles was forced to bring extra resources closer to the line of scrimmage, exposing a sometimes leaky secondary.

But with the addition of players such as former Carolina defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson (6-3, 320 pounds) and the development of gargantuan players such as Jayson Jones, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound nose tackle, the Bucs likely won't be pushed around at the line of scrimmage this season.

"We don't have to line up a lot of guys in the box and make up for some guys that are small," outside linebackers coach Larry Foote said. "But bigger and faster. If you can collapse the pocket versus the pass, it brings a lot. You know, you always want to go with the bigger fighter and if you can get that, that's what you're going to choose 10 out of 10."

Of course, the Bucs have an immovable force in defensive tackle Vita Vea, the 6-4, 347-pound former first-round pick who is in the final season of a four-year, $73 million contract. Vea is 31.

Jones spent most of last season on the practice squad and was going to be elevated against Philadelphia in Week 4 before tearing his biceps in practice a few days prior to the game.

Instead, the Bucs promoted Elijah Simmons, the 6-1, 335-pound nose tackle.

Robinson, 31, is only a couple years removed from his breakout season at Carolina when he recorded 80 tackles and 5.5. sacks, gaining playing time from injured defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Last season his numbers fell to 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Robinson spent time with the Lions, Rams and Giants, so he's played in a variety of systems and the Bucs' scheme is a good fit.

"This defense is complex but it's also a defense that you want to be in if you're a (defensive) lineman. You're going to be aggressive; you're going to put (offensive) linemen in certain binds," he said. "It's going to let you be active according to the system that we're playing.

"I can be anywhere. I can be on the edge, in the nose, in the three, in a nine. I could be literally anywhere. That's what makes it fun knowing your strengths in those certain things that he's calling. Knowing what he wants you to do, knowing how you can be aggressive because you know how the other guys are going to play it and see it."

Robinson says he likes what he's seen from Jones, who has demonstrated power and quickness.

"Having JJ is great to see that big, powerful, explosive guy to be able to get on and off blocks," Robinson said. "To have that quickness to get off the ball."

The Bucs also addressed the position in the draft, taking Clemson's DeMonte Capehart (6-5, 315) in the fifth round. He's primarily a run stuffer but with 4.85 speed in the 40-yard dash. They also picked up the 6-6, 300-pound Haggai Ndubuisi, who played for the Texans last year.

One player who utilizes speed over power is Calijah Kancey, the Bucs' first-round pick in 2023. When healthy, Kancey is disruptive and recorded 7.5 sacks in 2024. But he has missed 22 games with calf and pectoral injuries.

With Kancey out, the Bucs leaned on Elijah Roberts (6-4, 295), a fifth-round pick from SMU who started nine games and had two sacks, a fumble recovery and 14 tackles. "He's explosive, quick off the ball. Uses his hands well. Takes coaching and tips here and there perfectly and applies them now," Robinson said of Roberts. "He's a great player."

With the influx of size up front, as Foote says, the Bucs won't have to commit so many extra players to stop the run. Last season, safety Tykee Smith spent a lot of time playing near the line of scrimmage to root out ballcarriers. That forced All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to play centerfield as the deep safety, limiting his ability to rush the passer and make plays in the run game.

Coaching matters, too. Foote will handle the outside linebackers and edge rushers, but the Bucs have been impressed with new defensive line coach Marcus West.

"Outstanding teacher," Bowles said. "I think he sweats out there and works harder than anybody out there. Love him as a teacher. I told him I don't know CPR so I can't give him mouth-to-mouth if he passes out. But he does a very good job explaining the game to those guys and he's been a great surprise."

A new assignment

Defensive tackle Nash Hutmacher isn't just changing positions, he's switching sides.

Hutmacher (6-4, 310) spent his rookie year on the Bucs' practice squad. He hasn't played offensive line since high school.

"We talked about when we got him in the beginning and we knew he was very tough and we knew he was very smart and he never got moved out of there by the offensive guys," Bowles said.

"With the depth we had at D-line, and he was a little bit slow afoot that way, we thought he'd make a great guard because he's compact, he's extremely intelligent and he can figure things out. You're not going to run him over. … This year I think he has a chance to make an impact at guard."

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 9:19 AM.