The Pewter Plank
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3 interior offensive linemen the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can target

By Cory Kinnan

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline after the Vikings fumbled the ball during closing minutes of the game against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline after the Vikings fumbled the ball during closing minutes of the game against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Center Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Center Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Pat Elflein

This last option could be a potential trade candidate for the Buccaneers as the Minnesota Vikings used their first round pick to draft an interior offensive lineman and could have potentially displaced Pat Elflein. While the Vikings may look to move him into a guard slot from center and give him another year to clean up the mistakes, if they got an offer in the range of a fourth of fifth round pick for Elflein, would they turn it down?

Elflein was originally a third round pick of the Vikings just two years ago, and was known as a mauler off of the line of scrimmage. At center over that span in Minnesota, however, he has struggled to get his feet out from under him and protect their $90 million man Kirk Cousins.

He graded out at a below average score of 41.9 according to PFF for his performance last season. However he has remained relatively healthy over the past two years, just missing two games each year to this point.

Chiseling the Mt. Rushmore of Tampa Bay Buccaneers greats. dark. Next

If the Vikings are willing to deal their former third rounder, then the Bucs should take a relatively low-risk chance that Arians and his blocking scheme could fix Elflein and turn him into the prospect many thought he would be when he came out for the draft. This deal would not require anything more than a fourth round pick, and even that may be a bit high for Elflein’s services at this point.

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