We have to think that the Chiefs are prioritizing the defensive line this offseason.
After losing Bennie Logan, there is a question mark at the nose tackle position. While the Chiefs did just sign Xavier Williams, a big run stuffer out of the University of Northern Iowa, he only has 2 career starts to his name. Williams has plenty of potential. He is only 26 and has incredible size and strength. Williams could have a breakout year.
However, it wouldn’t hurt to give him a little bit of competition. There are no givens in the NFL, you have to earn your keep. Plugging Vea into the mix to challenge the interior linemen this season would be a low risk high reward move. Games are won in the trenches, and the Chiefs would be wise to shore up their defensive line.
Vita Vea could be an absolute nightmare in the NFL. At 6’5″ and 340 pounds, Vea is like a wrecking ball (no Miley Cyrus references please) on the defensive side. When watching him, it seems as though there isn’t a time where he doesn’t overpower the opposing offensive lineman.
Strength and quickness are two qualities that you wouldn’t always associate with a defensive lineman, but Vea has both of these traits. The ability to overpower your man and pressure the quarterback or be able to shake off your blocker and be quick to the tackle in the run. This is what Vea gives you on the defensive side.
Vea had a strong combine, even though it got cut short by injury. A 5.11 40 yard dash and 41 bench press reps make Vea a top draft candidate.
It may be a steep price to trade up and get him, but it just might be worth it.