3 Offensive tackles that would be ideal to protect Tom Brady
By Rob Leeds
Now that Tom Brady is on the Buccaneers, the biggest focus for the team will be to improve their offensive line by adding an offensive tackle or two.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an extremely important few weeks ahead of them as they will try to provide Tom Brady with all the tools that he will need to succeed as their starting quarterback in 2020.
The biggest area that the Bucs will have to focus on is offensive tackle due to the lackluster performance in 2019.
Demar Dotson has been incredibly consistent throughout his career, but it seems now that Tampa Bay will be moving on or at least finding a replacement for their right tackle.
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
The Buccaneers will have several avenues to find a new starter such as trading, signing a free agent, and looking towards the draft. Here are the best options for each method.
Draft pick-Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Mekhi Becton would be the best possible first-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jedrick Wills is generally considered to be the best tackle of this elite group and it is unlikely that he would be available at the 14th overall pick. Tristan Wirfs saw his draft stock rise after his stellar 40-yard dash, but the speed of an offensive tackle is one of the least important characteristics to look at.
That then leaves Mekhi Becton and Andrew Thomas, two players that would be excellent additions for Tampa Bay, but Becton edges out Thomas.
Becton weighs in at a monstrous 364 pounds and dwarfs the other tackles in the first round. This size is a massive plus for Becton, especially because he not immobile.
With this pick, the Buccaneers would lock up one of the best offensive tackles in an impossibly good draft class. Tom Brady would have a staunch protector from day one, and Tampa Bay would retain a dominant offensive lineman for years to come.
It doesn’t matter how strong or fast an edge player is, it is extremely difficult to get around an offensive tackle that is 364 pounds and quick on his feet.