LT Donovan Smith
He almost played a turnover-less game; for the first time in weeks, Winston managed to protect the ball well against the Seahawks. That is, except for one fumble where he was stripped by his own left tackle; Donovan Smith continues to look like a player unworthy of a massive $13.5 million extension that he was given this offseason by the Bucs.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Unfortunately, the Bucs are on the hook for Smith for at least another season, unless they are willing to cut him and eat his dead money (a venture they have historically been unwilling to do). While Winston was sacked just one time, his pocket was inevitably collapsing on just about every play.
Grading out at just a 66.0 overall score according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Smith is playing at a highly replaceable level for the pewter and red right now. If only the Bucs would have looked at his league leading 44 pressures surrendered the year before and decided to move on in the offseason rather than give him a massive raise.
With what seems to be zero anchor strength, Smith has been pushed back into the man he has been assigned to protect on more than one occasion. He is a massive liability off of the edge, and one the Buccaneers need to take the loss on and move on from. It is hard to, in the same breathe, blame the offensive line for Winston’s struggles without making a move to improve the situation.
Donovan Smith, you may walk the plank!