Boasting rare lateral mobility and multi-position versatility, fifth-round gem DeMonte Capehart possesses the NFL-ready athleticism to thrive immediately within Todd Bowles' complex, aggressive defensive front.
Fifth-round picks in the NFL fight for roster spots and develop before transforming into a contributor. But for DeMonte Capehart, he has the opportunity to make an impact in Week 1 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Josh Queipo of the Pewter Report analyzed three games from Capehart's five-year tenure with the Clemson Tigers: Georgia in 2024, Louisville and Georgia State this past season.
Queipo said Capehart possesses versatility uncommon for a fifth-round pick and NFL-ready quick-twitch athleticism.
"On the three games of tape, he played heads-up over the center, in a shade, at 3-technique, at 4i," Queipo wrote on May 4. "That’s a near-full interior alignment range, which is unusual for a player listed as a nose. It’s also the kind of flex that fits the way Todd Bowles deploys his front, where Capehart will be deployed similarly and potentially even further out to a 5-tech spot."
Capehart's versatility allows the former Tiger to line up at multiple positions on the interior line. It fits coach Todd Bowles' defensive scheme, where he moves players around from snap to snap.
Playing different roles requires a slightly different skill set that could weaken a player's strengths, but it doesn't for Capehart. Queipo noted the 155th pick's run defense doesn't falter when placed on the edge, nor does his anchor ability fade when he's shading.
His ability to execute various assignments with little to no drop off is a unique trait of Capehart, and his athleticism accentuates the on-field talent, which is a rarity for a fifth-rounder.
"The athletic profile is the part that separates him from the typical fifth-round interior body," Queipo wrote. "Capehart has rare lateral mobility for a player his size. He keeps his eyes in the backfield and processes well, which is why the lateral mobility translates into actual run defense rather than just movement skills on paper. That combination, anchor, processing, and lateral range, is the floor."
Capehart's on-field performance impacts the game much more than his stats reflect. He tallied 71 tackles (43 solo), five pass deflections, four sacks and one forced fumble in his five seasons at Clemson.
The former Tiger still has to compete for a roster spot and position on the depth chart with Josiah Green, Elijah Simmons, Haggai Ndubuisi and Jayson Jones. However, his blend of versatility and athleticism could make the fifth-round talent become an immediate contributor in his first season, which is rare for players in his draft range.
Capehart is looking forward to the 2026 season and learning under the veterans ahead of him to continue polishing his skill set.
"I say learn from the vets and be a sponge," Capehart said on May 8. "Like I said again, just taking everything I can to modify my game and be better and get under their wing and soar with them."
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