DeShawn McKnight

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as a slight overpay for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — the team is getting approximately what they're paying for in on-field production. DeShawn's on-field performance ranks in the bottom quartile among NFL DTs, grading him as an unproven at the position. His $1.0M average annual value ranks as bargain money for the DT market. The production lines up closely with the price tag — unproven production at bargain money, which is essentially paying fair market value. DeShawn is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract. The 3-year, $3.1M contract with $258K guaranteed (8%) represents a moderate investment with room to exit if needed.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where DeShawn's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance AnalysisPre-Debut

DeShawn McKnight has not yet appeared in an NFL regular season game. A performance grade will be automatically generated once career statistics become available and the 16-game minimum is reached.

Fan Sentiment

Recent headlines push DeShawn McKnight's sentiment grade to a D+, with Tampa Bay's broader season shaping the read. The organization is treating him as a classic camp body—an undrafted interior lineman signed in the offseason to compete for depth and practice squad spots, a low-risk organizational move that generates minimal fan excitement or media attention. McKnight's path to roster relevance hinges entirely on his performance during training camp; there's no narrative of a prospect with buzz or upside, just a local product trying to survive the culling process. Tampa Bay's recent signings across linebacker, offensive line, and defensive line positions underscore the team's methodical depth-building approach heading into the regular season, but McKnight's addition was framed as routine roster construction rather than a notable acquisition. The sentiment reflects realistic expectations: he's a fringe contributor competing for survival, and unless he produces eye-catching moments in camp, this signing will fade into the background noise of preseason moves.