For NFL Draft fans, there’s nothing better than the NFL Combine. There’s not a lot of action to the test, but regardless, it’ll get you excited for the first time since the Super Bowl.
On Thursday, we’ll see both position groups on the field, getting a hands-on test on the defensive line and linebackers. Both positions are areas where the Buccaneers need help this draft cycle, so we want to give you some players to keep an eye on when the test begins at 3:00 PM ET on NFL Network.
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In this article, we will focus specifically on defensive linemen. It may not be the Buccaneers’ biggest need, but they acknowledge they have depth issues across the board. The defense lost Calijah Kancey in 2025, and the team’s production fell to Vita Vea. While he can be a monster on defense, he needs some help, and the draft can provide that.
With that in mind, here are five players we expect to see tested at the NFL combine.
Vincent Anthony, Duke University
The Duke edge rusher caught my attention early in the 2025 college football season. He displays quick hands, smooth motor skills and explosive off-ball movement, all of which have me interested in seeing how he fares today. He’s projected to be drafted on Day 3, but he could see himself jumping to the front of the line that day, or maybe a team will fall in love with the traits and testing and he’ll sneak into the background on Day 2.
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Caleb Banks (Florida)
After missing most of the 2025 season, his draft stock is difficult to gauge. He reminded everyone what he’s capable of when he dominated practices at the Senior Bowl. His draft stock has been filled with rocket fuel since then, and with today’s dominant performance, he could solidify himself in the first half of the first round. Banks is a smooth defensive lineman who uses a unique combination of power and speed to win reps, the perfect formula to make himself a star at the combine.
David Gusta, Kentucky
David Gusta had a quiet year at Kentucky last season after transferring from Washington State. That being said, he’s still an interesting defensive forward option for the team. Gusta is unlikely to wow anyone with his numbers, but his athleticism in the game might surprise people. He’s my ultimate buy-low player in this group and can give you huge returns in the right circumstances.
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Grace Holden (Oklahoma)
Scouting report
Bucs Wire writer Mason Riney wrote of Halton: “Halton is noticeably aggressive when playing inside. His compact frame at 6-foot-2, 292 pounds allows him to hold his own against taller offensive linemen. He is always committed to staying square in run defense and doesn’t give in easily in one-on-one encounters.”
With that in mind, Holden has a chance to be an interesting player to watch test at today’s combine.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech University
Scouting report
“At 330 pounds, he combines size with tremendous athleticism and has been a consistent high-explosive contributor throughout his career,” Bucs Wire writer Mason Riney wrote in Hunter’s report.
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Hunter has become a household name among draft analysts and teams this week. He could stand out as a projected first-round pick, and teams could get tremendous value for it. Testing is important for him, but as Riney writes, his style of play makes you believe he can do it.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Combine: 5 DL Prospects Fans Should Watch