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7 offensive tackles for Buccaneers to pursue in free agency

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 15: Tackle Demar Dotson #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sets for play against the New Orleans Saints September 15, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Saints won 16 - 14. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 15: Tackle Demar Dotson #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sets for play against the New Orleans Saints September 15, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Saints won 16 - 14. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 13: Offensive tackle D.J. Humphries #74 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates a touchdown scored in the first half of the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 13: Offensive tackle D.J. Humphries #74 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates a touchdown scored in the first half of the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

5. D.J. Humphries, Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals in back-to-back slides? Indeed. The Cardinals have another talented, younger, but again often injured tackle opposite Gilbert in Arizona. The 26-year-old D.J. Humphries is also set to be a free agent after this season and is another likely candidate for the Buccaneers to pursue.

Drafted in the first round of the 2016 draft out of Florida, Humphries was thrown to the fire, starting 13 games after missing the full season as a rookie. Since then, however, Humphries has started just 21 games thus far over the last three years.

The good news remains: Humphries has yet to miss a game this season after missing seven a year ago. The talent is there for the former first round pick, but the health has not always been there.
While Humphries is grading out at the same grade as Dotson and Smith, he has far more physical tools than both and can be molded into a solid tackle in the NFL. There is still plenty of promise and time left in Humphries’ career for him to earn a few more paydays before he retires.

What is the harm in signing a promising young player to a short term “prove it” deal as he continues to work his way back into the form of a first round pick?

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