One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

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TAMPA, FL – APR 27: 2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers first round pick out of University of Washington Vita Vea holds up his jersey for the gathered media on April 27, 2018 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive Tackle. . Vita Vea. . team. 48.

Last season, many believed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would take the next step forward, and quarterback Jameis Winston would lead them to the playoffs. What ended up happening is the Bucs would be the only of four teams from the NFC South to not make the playoffs, and the forecast for 2018 is looking even murkier for the team heading into training camp.

The 2018 NFL season will certainly be a roller coaster for the Buccaneers, who will be without starting quarterback Jameis Winston for the first four games due to a suspension. In fact, the team has not even committed to him being the starter when he returns from suspension, and will roll with veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick until his eligible to return.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Buccaneers had to make some moves to improve the interior of their defensive line, and they did just that during the 2018 NFL Draft. The Bucs drafted Washington nose tackle Vita Vea, who just may be one of the best defensive tackle prospects we have seen in a long time.

Vea is going to be a part of a defensive line that will be seriously upgraded in 2018, as he will team with Gerald McCoy on the inside of Mike Smith’s 4-3 defense. On the outside, the Bucs will have Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry, giving them four guys who can not only stop the run, but also get after the quarterback.

Tampa Bay has four very tough games to start the season, as they will play the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears in that order. Three of those teams went to the playoffs last season, so Fitzpatrick and company definitely have their work cut out for them early on.