The Pewter Plank
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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, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 02: Ryan Jensen #66 hikes the ball to Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 02: Ryan Jensen #66 hikes the ball to Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Solving the offensive line conundrum

It’s become more than apparent that the Bucs need new blood.

Left guard Ali Marpet has been a godsend, but Dotson is getting older and hasn’t been playing up to par this season, Alex Cappa now has a broken arm, and when a division rival’s defensive line openly celebrates one of your offensive linemen’s contract extensions (Donovan Smith) on Twitter, you’ve made a poor decision.

So what are the solutions? It’s simple; draft smarter.

Jason Licht was signed to a contract extension at general manager this offseason, most likely because he was able to lure Bruce Arians into town. Other than that, he has little to show for his tenure, and if you need proof, just take a peek at how the entire 2016 draft class of the Bucs is doing today.

The fact of the matter is that he’s whiffed on many of his first round picks considering who was available at the time of each selection. Instead of drafting kickers in the second round or more cornerbacks on day two, it’s time to stock up at offensive line.

Jameis Winston hasn’t been the star quarterback the Buccaneers hoped he would be when they took him first overall in 2015, but it’s hard to throw the ball under pressure every play.The truth is that whether you like it or not, Winston will more than likely get a contract extension this offseason, even if it’s only for two or three seasons.

Next. Mock Draft Monday: Buccaneers use another high pick at cornerback. dark

If that happens, the Buccaneers owe it to him to draft some new offensive lineman, preferably in the first three rounds, in 2020. Until he has better protection, we may never truly get to see what he and his offensive weapons are capable of.

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