According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea has requested a trade after failing to secure a new contract. Per Garafolo, Vea is expected to be present for training camp after sitting out the early offseason, though it's unclear whether he'll participate.
While the trade request doesn't mean that Vea will be dealt, Tampa could realistically expect to get a conditional second-round pick or more in return for the two-time Pro Bowler. Vea, who turned 31 in February, wouldn't bring as much as a 28-year-old Dexter Lawrence did in April, but he's a top-tier interior defender who will draw interest if the Bucs do make him available.
The list of landing spots that would make sense for Vea includes:
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a terrific edge duo in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. However, they could use a player of Vea's caliber on the defensive interior. Jacksonville has a strong Buccaneers connection in head coach Liam Coen, and general manager James Gladstone has shown that he's not afraid to make aggressive moves.
The Las Vegas Raiders aren't as ready to win now as the Jaguars are. However, adding Vea would fill a big defensive need as Las Vegas looks to build for the future with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. According to The Athletic's Ted Nguyen, Vea wants to go to a California team "or the Raiders."
The San Francisco 49ers traded a third-round pick to acquire defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa earlier this offseason, so they might not be eager to trade for another pricey interior defender. However, the 49ers are firmly in their contention window, and after seeing their defense decimated by injuries a year ago, they can't possibly view too much defensive talent as a bad thing.
San Francisco could also afford to give Vea the pay raise he's seeking. No team has more available cap space, according to Spotrac.