The Pewter Plank
FanSided

5 looming contract decisions for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Adam Humphries #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completes a pass from quarterback Jameis Winston #3 for a first down in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Adam Humphries #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completes a pass from quarterback Jameis Winston #3 for a first down in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

LT Donovan Smith

One of the keys for a developing quarterback is finding a reliable protector for his blindside. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers don’t have the answer for Jameis Winston just yet.

The franchise hoped they found it when they selected left tackle Donovan Smith back in 2015, but Smith hasn’t developed into the player many thought he could be. Inconsistent play and his knack for allowing easy pressures has made him an easy target for the Buccaneers fan base.

Related Story. Buccaneers need to revamp offensive line in 2019. light

With Smith’s contract up at the end of the season, Tampa Bay will have to decide if he deserves a long-term deal. Smith will likely garner plenty of interest this offseason, but the Bucs may not want to pay him top tackle money.

They already have a substantial chunk of their cap invested in Ali Marpet and Ryan Jensen, so paying another flawed player elite money may not be in the cards.

Even with Smith’s flaws, other free agent options don’t look much more appealing. The fact that there is only one top-tier left tackle prospect in the Draft, Tampa could bite the bullet and give Smith another shot.

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