Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offseason moves signal offensive line not a worry
By Cory Kinnan
Left Guard: Ali Marpet
The best lineman along the front five of the offensive line is without a doubt left guard Ali Marpet. Also selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, Marpet was taken later in the same round as Smith, with the 61st overall selection. The 6’4 and 307 pound interior lineman has played both center and guard for the Bucs since 2015.
Marpet has missed only eight games in four seasons, and played all 16 in 2018 after signing a new five-year, $54.125 million extension to stay in Tampa Bay prior to the 2018 season. The Bucs have the left side of their offensive line locked down for years to come.
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The starting left guard also rated as an above average starter and in the green, just as Smith did, plugging in at a 73.2 in 2018 in his first season playing left guard according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Undoubtedly the anchor of the Tampa Bay offensive line, Marpet is worth every penny of his annual salary worth over $10 million per year.
Left guard is also not a need for the Buccaneers in 2019 as Marpet looks to have the spot locked down for a long time. The Bucs found a small school gem back in 2015, and that second round pick has paid large dividends in Tampa Bay.