{"id":37747,"date":"2018-02-09T17:49:08","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T22:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=37747"},"modified":"2018-03-11T14:44:32","modified_gmt":"2018-03-11T18:44:32","slug":"vita-vea-2018-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/02\/09\/vita-vea-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Vita Vea 2018 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview
\n<\/strong>Position<\/strong>: Interior defensive lineman
\nHeight<\/strong>: 6’5″
\nWeight<\/strong>: 340 pounds
\nSchool<\/strong>: Washington Huskies<\/p>\n

Combine Performance Data
\n40-yard dash<\/strong>: 5.10 seconds
\nBench press<\/strong>: 41 reps (second most at 2018 NFL Combine)<\/p>\n

Vita Vea 2018 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The importance of having a run-stuffing interior gap penetrator in today’s NFL cannot be overstated. Making teams one-dimensional by neutralizing their ability to run the football gives the defense an improved chance of forcing empty possessions. Part of that entails keeping running backs at bay between the tackles. Among this year’s draft prospects, there may not be a better player equipped to get this done at the next level than Vita Vea<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Milpitas, CA native came to prominence as a redshirt sophomore in 2016. Despite starting just five games, Vea was a regular presence in opposing teams’ backfields. He finished the season with 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. The latter total ranked second best on the team. All of it played a prominent role in him garnering Pac-12 second team accolades.<\/p>\n

Vea followed that up with another stellar campaign last year. He started all 13 games for the Huskies, establishing himself as a menace at the point of attack in run situations. Among all draft-eligible players, Vea ranked fourth in Pro Football Focus’ run stop percentage signature stat and was one of just 18 to exceed 10 percent. He earned second-team All-American and first-team All-Conference honors. He also took home a multitude of postseason awards, including the Pat Tillman<\/a><\/strong> Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Morris Trophy, given the league’s top defensive lineman. Vea became the first Washington player to win the latter award in 24 years.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h2>\n