The Tampa Bay Buccaneers add yet another interior offensive lineman after signing free agent Josh LeRibeus; they still may not be done at the position.
Today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed veteran interior offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus according to The Athletic’s Greg Auman. Where it gets interesting is why did the Buccaneers sign LeRibeus?
LeRibeus was a former third round pick of Washington back in 2012, but spent only three seasons there and started just 12 games. Over the past two years LeRibeus has been with NFC South division rival New Orleans Saints where he started three games in that span.
Auman notes that LeRibeus was a minicamp tryout that the team decided to give a deal to and will compete with Evan Smith, Alex Cappa, and Earl Watford on the interior of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
Are the Buccaneers just adding another veteran lineman, or is there reason to panic at right guard? ESPN’s Jenna Laine states that there may be an issue with last year’s third rounder Cappa, and that he is not as far along as the team would have liked him to be at this point and time in his second year.
Laine also mentions that she would not be surprised if the Buccaneers look to make yet another move at the position in order to get a solidified starter at the position previously held by Caleb Benenoch, who has since moved to right tackle and will act as a swing player along the offensive front.
After choosing to bypass the position in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers may be in a position to kick themselves now as it would appear Cappa is not ready to start. Will Watford, LeRibeus, or Smith win the job or will the team look to bring another body to Tampa Bay at the position?