Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4 players receive contracts from rookie tryouts
By Dylan Grimm
![MADISON, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 03: D'Cota Dixon #14 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball after recovering a blocked field goal in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) MADISON, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 03: D'Cota Dixon #14 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball after recovering a blocked field goal in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e25bd9e51febb05f1e5ffd0f088789db1fe3b2100ca09687189bf9bfc0382e63.jpg)
Riley Mayfield, OT, North Texas
Riley Mayfield is a big bodied but lean offensive tackle coming in at 6’7 and 305 pounds. HE was a two year starter at right tackle for the North Texas Mean Green after transferring from Abilene Christian.
While a lot of today’s offensive lineman coming out of the struggle with strength more, often than not and even more so if they are label as an athletic tackle. While Mayfield falls into the athletic tackle category he still had a strong showing at his North Texas pro day putting up 21 bench press reps and posted a 40 yard dash time in the 5.3 second range.
Mayfield still lacks a lot in terms of technique having played at a lower level of college football and NFL coaching will be huge for his development. Mayfield realistically is a project player that gets stashed on the practice squad for a season or two in hopes he can eventually become a rotational tackle and someone who coaches can rely on to come in and contribute when called on.
The Buccaneers did not draft an offensive lineman this year during the draft, which certainly plays into the favor of Mayfield. Who knows? Demar Dotson was an undrafted free agent and has stuck around in Tampa Bay for over a decade.