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ComPewter Analysis: a deeper look at Buccaneers offensive line

By Cory Kinnan

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/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) /

What does Pro Football Focus think?

Taking a look at the Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grades of each member of the offensive line, we will have six grades as Earl Watford and Josh Wells have gotten some playing time as well due to the injuries to Cappa and Dotson. Needless to say, they have not been an upgrade to the two injured starters.

Starting with the left tackle Smith, he has tallied a PFF grade of 65.9, meaning he is an average NFL starter who could be replaced if needed. The film adds up here, as the Bucs’ $13 million man has gotten turned around by just about every pass rusher he has gone against this season.

A significantly higher grade than Smith, the left guard Marpet has a PFF grade of 74.6. Him and Jensen have the two highest grades on the front, as Jensen has a high grade of 72.3 as well. Why the Bucs do not stick to three step drops and zones off the left side on the ground is beside me.

At right guard, Alex Cappa started out playing at a decent level, but right now sits at a 59.5 according to PFF; you have to wonder how significantly his grade was impacted by playing a full half of football with a broken arm. In relief of Cappa, the journeyman offensive lineman Watford has played to the tune of a 62.3 grade.

light. Related Story. 7 offensive tackles for Buccaneers to pursue in free agency

Dotson’s grade mirrors that of his tackle counterpart Smith, as has a grade of 65.1, less than one point off of Smith’s. Backing up Dotson at the right tackle spot, Josh Wells has by far the lowest grade of any Bucs’ linemen with a start this season, scoring a 51.2 overall grade.

Overall, PFF identifies three of the five spots on the offensive line as replaceable as Smith, Cappa, and Dotson have not exactly been stellar this season. Dotson is set to come off the books and Cappa is still on his rookie deal, but the Bucs are locked in with Smith for at least another season beyond 2019.

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