Analyzing Buccaneers Rookie Camp Participants With Emojis

Image via Buccaneers.com

Donovan Smith, OT

Second round, 34th overall

Our reaction:

There’s no easy way to put it, but Donovan Smith is going to be thrown into the fire. The Penn State product will be immediately expected to protect Jameis Winston’s blind side as the Buccaneers’ starting left tackle. Early on, Smith has been saying the right things. “You have to have an attitude to play on the offensive line in general, but I think there is a little extra on us left tackles because you are protecting the blind side of the quarterback,” he told USA TODAY. “So, yeah, attitude plays a big part in what you’re doing. It’s not just about talent and skill set. There’s more to it than that and I think I bring all of that to the table.”

Now, Smith needs to prove that he can back up what he has been saying throughout rookie camp. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Donovan has the size and skill set to be their left tackle of the future, but time will tell if he can live up to those lofty expectations.

For now, Smith is saying all of the right things. Lovie and Licht are happy that they have him on the team. And apparently, other teams are jealous that the Buccaneers were able to get their hands on the former Nittany Lion.

"After Licht took Smith, he received texts from a couple of offensive line coaches from opposing teams. “They said he was our second-best rated offensive lineman,” Licht said. “It made me feel good. “He’s a mauler with great feet.”"

However, we will probably not know what we truly have in Smith until training camp rolls around and he’s matched up against pass rushers like George Johnson, Jacquies Smith, etc. As a Bucs fan, you have to like what Smith brings to the table from a physical and mental standpoint. We will have to wait and see what he can bring on the field.