Browns: Top 5 defensive line targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
2. Vita Vea, Washington
Vita Vea and current Brown Danny Shelton are already a lot alike. Both play defensive tackle, both went to the University of Washington, and both are impressive physically. Where Vita Vea shines over Shelton, though, is in freakish athleticism.
At 6-foot-5 and a thick 332 pounds, many might expect Vea to be sluggish and slow in his play. But in fact, the opposite is more than likely to happen. That is to say, Vita will probably test off the charts at the Scouting Combine, especially for a nose tackle.
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It is possible that Vea could run a sub-5 second 40-yard dash, which is downright incredible for a nose tackle, let alone one of his size. He could very well lock himself in as a top ten draft pick if he runs that fast and has an impressive NFL Combine overall.
Scouts are incredibly high on Vita, as Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com states:
"“Some sources have compared Vea to Haloti Ngata in terms of ability to play defensive end or nose tackle. They feel that Vea is a special nose tackle prospect who offers more than Danny Shelton did coming out of Washington.”"
Comparisons to Haloti Ngata, perhaps the best nose tackle of the past decade, mean lofty expectations for any player. But if any draft prospect can meet such expectations, it’s Vea.
Because of his position, Vea could fall in the draft, but that is still a very small chance. It is incredibly unlikely that the Browns will be able to snatch him up late in the first round or early in the second, but you never know. Regardless, Vea is a special defensive talent in this class.