The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 most under-appreciated players

By Cory Kinnan

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Offensive guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Offensive guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 17: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Ali Marpet #74 warm up prior to preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 17: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Ali Marpet #74 warm up prior to preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

LG Ali Marpet

Maybe it is because he had one down year when he moved to center in 2017, or maybe it is because he is a part of an offensive line that struggled mightily in 2018, but Ali Marpet is one of the best left guards in the NFL right now and is worth every penny of the extension he was given by the Buccaneers. The small school lineman made it large, but somehow he gets lumped in with the rest of the offensive line in Tampa Bay and his excellence gets overlooked.

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The former second round pick of the Buccaneers has been a starter since day one, and has only missed a total of eight games in his career, playing all 16 last year. Marpet has shown the flexibility to play all over the interior of the offensive line as well, starting games at right guard, left guard, and center in his career.

Entering his fifth season in the league at only 26 years old, the Buccaneers have a strong building block on their offensive line to construct around. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) scored Marpet in the green as an above average starter at 73.2. As the offensive line changes schemes to a zone blocking scheme, Marpet will be relied upon heavily again in 2019 to clear lanes for the running backs and to keep Winston upright.

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