Rundown On New Bucs DT DeMonte Capehart
April 28th, 2026
Bucs fifth-round pick DT Demonte Capehart.
It seems new Bucs defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart is a monster of a human being who, perhaps down the road, might have more than a part-time, fill-in role.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles always wants to stop the run. Well, how about stopping the run with a guy who eats up space and is hard to move off the line?
Dane Brugler of The Athletic seems to think there is something to work with that for Capehard, who is a hair under 6-5 and weighs 313 pounds, who the Bucs selected in the fifth round.
A part-time starter at Clemson, Capehart … is a former five-star recruit, he battled injuries early on and struggled to command a full-time role over six years in the program. He averaged just 28.9 defensive snaps per game in 2025 and finished his career with 892 snaps over 57 games.
Capehart is a massive, powerful human who moves like a much smaller person. He fires off the snap with a linear burst (which his combine numbers backed up) and uses full extension to press blockers, lock out and find the football. He is an inconsistent shed player and strains to muddy up the run game. As a pass rusher, he has yet to prove himself as anything more than a pocket pusher.
Capehart, to Joe, sounds like the kind of guy the Bucs wanted Desmond Watson to be last year. You remember him, right? The “Big Gator?” He was 6-6 and weighed anywhere from 449–464 pounds.
But Watson just couldn’t push away the plate. He couldn’t lose the weight. Couldn’t stay away from the dinner table.
And that saddened Joe and not for football reasons. Watson was not going to find too many facilities with state-of-the-art health resources with quick, easy access to doctors, counselors and other specialists and professionals to help him shed the pounds. And he couldn’t do it.
Watson, unfortunately, had bigger problems than making an NFL team.
But it sure seems like this Capehart is a much more mobile, polished version of Watson.
The way Brugler typed about Capehart, it makes Joe think if he gets a little coaching, he could be something.
Falcons DL Coach Nate Ollie working out Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart (6-5, 315) at Pro Day is a FIT
🐅Versatile, heavy handed run defender
🐅99.7 percentile athlete
🐅33 7/8” arm lengthAnchor won’t move; bull rush moves you
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) March 14, 2026
April 28th, 2026 at 12:11 am
I seem to remember that Vita’s pass rushing wasn’t that impressive coming out and look what he became.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:11 am
With the right coaching and work ethic, that youngin can be a heck of a player. He has elite movement skills for a man that size.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:17 am
He could add another 40-50 lbs. on that frame and still be fast. Huge leg muscles. Wow!
April 28th, 2026 at 1:01 am
This is the type of guy who if motivated could really be something. All up to him. Basically. He’ll get the coaching. He needs to be in love with the game and improving himself. Worth the risk.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:07 am
In a later pick, a word I hate in early Picks.
Potential.
Another pick I love. He can become a difference maker.
First time in decades, just love these picks. Every single one can become a very good player.
Except Trotter.
If he can get his health, Capehart can become a run stopping Wall for our defense. Can’t wait to see.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:25 am
They’re saying he played 6 years in college. I was surprised to see that he will only be 24 when he takes his first NFL snaps. I figured he’d be 25. His athletic traits almost made me choke on my beer when I read about him. I doubt this guy is gonna have to sit on the practice squad at all his rookie year. Him and Scott along with Bain are the main reasons why I like this draft so much. This guy is destined to get a good many snaps.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:31 am
He already has the work ethic…it’s just a matter of development and teaching him how to care for his body.
I don’t know if he needs to add 40 lbs…but he’ll certainly add muscle and power. That will do the job.
If we develop a pass rush, the DTs will start getting sacks too.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:33 am
Capt.Tim, don’t right off Trotter. Like with any of the players, it’s up to him to earn respect. He’s here now…may as well wait and see.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:59 am
The only thing I don’t get, and it’s why he didn’t go until the 5th, but why is a guy who is that powerful and quick / fast, not a better pass rusher? If he is just going to be a dedicated run stuffer, then yeah, at his size and speed, he could pretty easily put on 30 pounds and still be plenty fast.
But I’d rather keep him around his current weight and try to teach him how to pass rush, although as a 6-year college player I assume they tried and it never took.
Anywho, even if he’s just a good run stuffer and a rotational player, that’s still a win for a 5th round selection.