DeMonte Capehart NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT

Matt HolderApr 16, 2026

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart with the No. 155 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

DeMonte Capehart is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class.

The 6'5", 315-pound defensive tackle has good size and plenty of pop in his hands to reset the line of scrimmage and be a quality run defender at the next level. Also, he has experience playing multiple alignments on the defensive line and tested well at the combine to have some athletic potential.

Capehart's college career began as a 4-star recruit and the No. 34 player in the country for the 2020 high school class. He didn't see the field much until 2023 and was a spot starter/rotational player throughout his career, collecting 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and five passes defended in 57 career games.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

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- Capehart has good size and length for an NFL defensive tackle, and he carries his frame well with little to no bad weight.

- Quick to react to the snap and a good overall get-off to get penetration when one-gapping.

- Physical and strong at the point of attack to stand up offensive linemen, get extension on blocks and reset the line of scrimmage when left one-on-one.

- Takes on blocks with a wide base and is solid at holding ground against double teams/combo blocks when he keeps his pads down and is asked to two-gap.

- Quick to recognize down blocks, shifting his eyes and hands to the linemen coming down on him and sinks his hips well to avoid getting washed.

- Decent at shedding blocks and can also make tackles with offensive linemen hanging onto him.

- Has some alignment versatility, Clemson used him anywhere from a 4i-technique defensive end to a 0-technique nose tackle.

Areas of Improvement

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- Overall, Capehart doesn't offer much value as a pass-rusher and projects as a two-down player at the next level.

- While he tested well at the combine, his athleticism doesn't stand out on film, as he looks robotic and stiff.

- Struggles to keep his pad level down consistently, hurting his bull rush and causing him some issues against double teams.

- Use of hands as a pass-rusher is poor, often getting caught with his hands down by his waist.

- Doesn't disguise line games well as the penetrator, running straight toward the lineman he's attacking instead of working up the field initially and taking the lineman he's lined up across from with him to create a pass-rush lane. Also, lacks the lateral movement skills to be an effective looper.

- Can be late to recognize reach and scoop blocks, leading to him getting wheeled out of his gap against mid or outside zone runs.

- Will be an older rookie, turning 24 in June.