Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 trade targets to pursue on draft day
By Cory Kinnan
Pat Elflein
At just 24 years of age, Minnesota Vikings starting center Pat Elflein could be on the move after just two years as the team’s starter in the middle of the trenches. Originally a third round pick of the Vikings in 2017, Elflein has failed to make a significant impact on a struggling offensive line.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
In 2018, Elflein graded out at just 41.9 according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and with their first pick in the draft, maybe first two, the Vikings look primed to add talent to their offensive line. Players such as Cody Ford, Garrett Bradbury, and Chris Lindstom are firmly in the mix to head to Minnesota with the 18th overall pick in the draft.
The Buccaneers have a hole at the right guard position along their offensive front after Caleb Benenoch struggled mightily at that spot in 2018 and, as a result, has been moved to tackle. Tampa Bay looks primed to give 2018 third round pick Alex Cappa every opportunity to win the job, but adding Elflein, another former third rounder, to the mix could provide much-needed competition.
Bringing Elflein to Tampa Bay would give the Buccaneers flexibility to shuffle their offensive line as well. Ali Marpet had his worst year as a pro when he was forced to play center, and possibly moving Ryan Jensen to guard, a position he is familiar with, would give him an opportunity to rebound after a down year in 2018 as well. Drawing a fifth round pick at the most, Elflein could hit the trade block during the draft, and is a player that could possibly pique the interest of the Buccaneers.