The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers desperately need new life on offensive line

By Jacob Holley

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Alex Cappa #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Alex Cappa #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

What is the root of the o-line issues?

The Buccaneers have drafted two offensive lineman in the past four seasons, and only one of them (Cappa) is still on the team. In fact, the last offensive lineman that Tampa Bay drafted in the first round was Davin Joseph in 2006.

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Compare that to the six cornerbacks and three safeties the Bucs have taken in that same time span, and you get a recipe for a depleted offensive line. Though hindsight may be 20/20, the Buccaneers could have traded up in the 2018 draft to pick Quinton Nelson, who was by all means considered to be a future Pro-Bowl offensive guard and was a fan-favorite by draft day.

In 2017, many experts’ mock drafts had the Buccaneers picking tackle Ryan Ramczyk in the first round, but instead they picked tight end O.J. Howard; Ramczyk would go on to find his way to the Saints and was a factor in the Bucs posting zero sacks on Sunday. To be fair, O.J. has turned into a stud, but Tampa Bay’s coaching staff has yet to figure out how to properly utilize him and it’s possible that they still won’t have figured it out by the time his contract is up.

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