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2018 prospect profile: Why Vita Vea is a fit for the 49ers in the NFL Draft

By Jeremy Wohlfart

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 08: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks on October 8, 2016 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 08: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks on October 8, 2016 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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One prospect that has been going up draft boards is Washington Defensive Tackle Vita Vea. Here we review his abilities and his fit for the San Francisco 49ers young defense.

Every year there is a late draft crush for people who come up from nowhere. For this writer, this year it’s Vita Vea from Washington.

Vea is simply an athletic freak of nature. A 350-pound specimen who lined up at EDGE at times for Washington, Vea would be a perfect partner for DeForest Buckner.

Earl Mitchell was simply not very good, ranking as ‘poor’ at Pro Football Focus with a score of 56.8. Sheldon Day flashed potential after being picked up on waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that doesn’t preclude the San Francisco 49ers from picking up Vea and forming a three-man rotation in the interior to terrorize opposition offenses.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Vita Vea strengths

Vea has very numerous strengths that would make him an instant fit in the 49ers offense, per the Walter Football draft profile:

Strengths:

  • Surprising athleticism
  • Explosive defender
  • Good instincts
  • Very disruptive
  • Physical force at the point of attack
  • Tough run defender who can hold his gap
  • Excellent run defender
  • Good burst off the snap
  • Has some pass-rushing skills
  • Collapses the pocket
  • Can destroys guards and centers with a bull rush
  • Flashes speed to run by them
  • Very strong
  • Very quick for his size
  • Closes well for a heavy tackle
  • Ability to shed blocks
  • Frees up edge rushers, linebackers
  • Can play with good leverage
  • Uses bull rush to push the pocket
  • Perfect fit as a 3-4 nose tackle
  • Good fit as a 4-3 tackle
  • Eats up double teams
  • Good motor
  • Gives a second effort
  • Awareness
  • Upside

Although he is a bit raw, Vea showed more than enough potential to show he can be a lethal duo with Buckner as well as become a three down player in the NFL.

In the above video, Vea shows an amazing motor and is definitely a salivating option to put into the interior. While it is true Vea requires a bit of additional coaching to get to his full potential, the idea of seeing a Vea-Buckner partnership in the interior for the next decade is an exciting one to consider.

It is true that defensive tackle is not the most urgent need for the 49ers, but a pick shouldn’t be based on the biggest need either. If there is a logical fit for a player like Vea in the interior, it is absolutely imperative that at the very least it’s looked at closely.

Next: 3 positional needs 49ers may avoid in the 2018 NFL Draft

Vea isn’t the most popular name linked to the 49ers in the draft process, but it is definitely one of the most intriguing.