Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Remaking the defensive line

DE Vinny Curry (released by Philadelphia Eagles)

It’s somewhat interesting to see how defensive end Vinny Curry’s six-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles came to an end. A second-round selection and the 59th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the former Marshall University product had not started a game his first five years in the league.

In 2017, Curry was in the opening lineup for all 16 regular-season contests and each of the Birds’ three postseason tilts. The former added up to 42 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. In the three-game sweep of the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, there were nine tackles. To be fair, he totaled a combined 22 quarterback hits in 19 overall contests.

In 2014, the six-year pro totaled a career-high nine sacks and four forced fumbles. In February of 2016, the Eagles signed him to a five-year, $47.25 million contract extension. But this offseason, general manager Howie Roseman failed to find a trade partner. And a club suddenly deep on the defensive front cut him loose.

Enter the Buccaneers, who inked Curry to a three-year, $27 million deal. He figures to once again be a starter, now opposite Noah Spence. Can he recapture that 2014 form and help defensive coordinator Mike Smith get the pass rush back on track? The 29-year old performer appears to have plenty left in the tank.

Next: Mitch Unrein