Buccaneers: Ranking the offensive line among their NFC South opponents

The Depth

When looking at the Bucs depth on the offensive line, you get a mixed bag of good experience with some severely experience deficient individuals.

This isn’t unusual though, as the same can be said of most offensive lines across the NFL and certainly in the NFC South.

Former starters are peppered with undrafted rookies, all looking to prove they bring something valuable enough to the franchise to warrant their claiming a roster spot.

Quantity doesn’t always equal quality though.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Interior: Travis Averill, Ben Garland, Robert Leff, Andy Levitre, Cam Keizur, Trevor Robinson, Hugh Thornton

Exterior: Daniel Brunskill, Carter Bykowski, Wil Freeman, Kevin Graf, Andreas Knappe

Looking at the Falcons depth along the offensive line, and I see one name which might develop into a quality NFL lineman.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ben Garland has some future starting potential, and could even push in the battle for one of the guard spots in 2017.

After him though, there isn’t much to be impressed by, and Atlanta in general could become seriously derailed if one or more of these guys is required to play a full-time roll anytime soon.

3. New Orleans Saints

Interior: Jack Allen, Senio Kelemete, John Fullington, Landon Turner

Exterior: Ryan Ramczyk, Avery Young

The Saints simply don’t have much depth here, and what they do have isn’t very impressive beyond Ryan Ramczyk.

The second day one pick in 2016 for New Orleans has been welcomed with mixed emotions, but if you look at the roster, you see why the team invested in him.

Coach Sean Payton simply doesn’t have much of a talent pool to dip into when you look at what they’ve got, so getting someone to pull up in case of need was crucial.

I understand wanting to get a young guy who can come in and make big plays and get on ESPN with regularity, but don’t undersell what having a good back-up can do for you.

If he beats out Strief, then the veteran becomes the depth.

It’s not much, but at least the team had the foresight to add something here early in the draft.

2. Carolina Panthers

Interior: Gino Gradkowski, Tyler Larsen, Chris Scott, Amini Silatolu, David Yankey

Exterior: Blaine Clausell, Dan France, Taylor Moton, Pearce Slater, Tyrus Thompson, Daryl Williams

What the Panthers lack in big name depth, they make up for in experience.

Only one of these guys is a rookie this year, and Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton is definitely a solid rookie to have.

If injury strikes, as it always does, then Ron Rivera will have some experienced players to choose from when filling in the gaps.

This doesn’t always mean it’ll work out, as most of these guys have several years in the NFL without earning starting jobs elsewhere for a reason.

Still, having guys you know and know what to expect out of them is a strength more than it is a weakness.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Interior: Josh Allen, Caleb Benenoch, Joe Hawley, Evan Smith, Kevin Pamphile

Exterior: Korren Kirven, Cole Gardner, Leonard Wester

Fans of the Bucs made noise all off-season about the team adding to the offensive line.

All off-season long the Bucs’ brass has maintained they like what they have, and when you look at their depth compared to the rest of the NFC South, you have to agree.

There isn’t a lot of depth here, but three of these guys have solid starting experience and can come in to play when and if needed.

Caleb Benenoch is considered a solid young prospect with the potential to become a starter himself.

Whether he makes to that level or not is still to be seen, but he’s shown some promise in limited action.

Leonard Wester had to fill in for a time last season, and to say he was thrown into the deep end would be an understatement.

The experience may not have been great, but it’s experience nonetheless, and hopefully it’s one which will help him coming into this year.

Overall, the team looks to be solid if they have to dip into their reserves. Of course, we all hope they don’t, but it’s comforting seeing their ability to do so in case of emergency.

Must Read: Bucs are Deeper in 2017

The Bucs didn’t have any top grouping, but come through at the end with depth.

We’ve gotten into each team’s offensive group from the centers, to the interior linemen and exterior linemen.

Now, let’s get to it and name a top line for the NFC South.