Vita Vea Is on the Giants' Trade Radar After Simmons Miss, Fowler Says
Published Nov 4, 2026, 12:12 PM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi
Key points
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is on the Giants' radar after Tennessee said no to multiple calls on Jeffery Simmons.
The Bucs are not expected to move Vea, but Fowler would be mildly surprised if New York doesn't add help up front.
Vea, a two-time Pro Bowler, carries a $30.6 million cap number in 2027.
Vita Vea is the newest name in the Giants' search for interior help. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the Bucs' two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is on New York's radar, six days before the deadline.
"Vita Vea is on the Giants 'radar,' per Jeremy Fowler," we posted Wednesday. Fowler wrote in ESPN's Week 9 buzz column that defensive tackle "might be the spot" where the Giants look to add.
The Giants inquired multiple times on Jeffery Simmons but were told no by Tennessee, Fowler wrote. Simmons landed in Chicago instead, after John Harbaugh called the Titans' owner.
Fowler's Vita Vea Report Comes With a Catch
Fowler's Vea line came with a warning. "The Bucs are not expected to move him," he wrote.
Still, "it would be a mild surprise if New York doesn't walk away with some help up front," he added.
Art Stapleton called interior defensive line the trade priority. Ian Rapoport expects the Giants to be aggressive for an interior lineman and a running back.
Tampa Bay has reasons to keep Vea. The Bucs climbed from 1-5 to 3-5 with wins over Carolina and Atlanta. ESPN wrote they "suddenly look like the division's best team once again."
What Vea Brings to the Middle
Vea is listed at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, per OverTheCap.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2024 and won Super Bowl LV, per Buccaneers.com. His 36 career sacks rank eighth in franchise history.
In 2024, he posted seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits, per OverTheCap.
Through eight games this season, Vea has one sack, 16 combined tackles and four quarterback hits on 71.2% of the defensive snaps.
The Giants need help in the middle. Opponents average 5.2 yards per carry when Shelby Harris or DJ Reader is off the field, as we covered.
By the Numbers: Vita Vea
Item | Detail |
Age | 31 |
Size | 6-4, 347 lbs |
Pro Bowls | 2 (2021, 2024) |
Career sacks | 36 in 120 games |
2026 stats | 1 sack, 16 tackles |
2027 cap hit | $30.6 million |
Sources: OverTheCap and Buccaneers.com, as of Nov. 4, 2026.
The Price Tag on a Vea Trade
Vea signed a one-year, $30 million extension in August that included $46 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.
His cap number is $10.8 million this season but jumps to $30.6 million in 2027, built on a $23 million base salary.
In the same column, Dan Graziano wrote that Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart is likely to move, with an $11.74 million base salary this year.
What Comes Next for the Giants
The deadline is Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET.
Harbaugh has said the Giants are making every call on available players. Tampa Bay's willingness is the question.
Our Take: Help Up Front Is the Move
When Rapoport said the Giants would be aggressive for an interior defensive lineman, I approved.
When Harbaugh called about Simmons, I said he wants his Dexter Lawrence. I still wish Lawrence was a Giant, and I have said so more than once this season.
Lawrence helps everyone around him and makes them all better.
Harbaugh has my complete and total endorsement to add good football players in exchange for draft picks. Stop worrying so much about draft picks. Add good players.
Rapoport says the Giants will be aggressive. Fowler says it would be a surprise if they come away empty up front.
Coach Harbaugh is all in. Whether it is Vea, Stewart or another name, the Giants need to leave this deadline with a real piece up front.
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