Robert Hainsey will have his chance for Buccaneers in 2022

With how the roster of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is currently constructed, one second-year player will have his chance to make his mark with the Buccaneers.

Certain college football programs become synonymous with producing quality (or lack thereof) NFL players at certain positions. Penn State was known as “Linebacker U”, but was also known for injury-prone running backs. Ohio State produces just about everything, except quarterbacks. The Big XII is also known for this. Lately, tight ends from Iowa have found success in the NFL, as well as offensive linemen, and one can never go wrong with Michigan Wolverines when looking for the trenches. Speaking of, another school, with shall we say a “polarizing” reputation has been churning out NFL offensive linemen on the calm for a little while now, and that’s the University of Notre Dame.

Fortunately for the Buccaneers, they have one of them in-house as we speak in Robert Hainsey, and his sophomore season could not have come at a better time.

Perhaps buried somewhat in the ballyhoo surrounding Tom Brady’s retirement, then unretirement, now rumors of where he’s playing next (spoiler alert: it’s Tampa Bay), was the colossal shock that was the retirement of guard Ali Marpet at age 28, fresh off his first, and now officially only, Pro Bowl season.

With Alex Cappa singing with the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals once the free agency period officially kicked off, suddenly Brady and the Bucs were without both starting guards from the last couple of seasons. The team would eventually go out and acquire an old friend of Brady’s in guard Shaq Mason, but there’s still another spot to be filled. Hainsey will get his chance to potentially fill that gap.

When the Buccaneers drafted Hainsey in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, it was because they were enamored with his versatility. Entering the draft as a tackle, (and currently listed on the Bucs’ roster as a tackle), Hainsey flexed his versatility muscles at all three interior line positions during the Senior Bowl, sending his stock soaring. He also showed signs of promise in his sporadic appearances during his rookie season. Now, he has a chance to flex those muscles on the big stage, as the starting guard for the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now, is it possible that another interior offensive lineman is drafted early in this year’s draft? Absolutely, in fact, the chances border on likely. However, Robert Hainsey will be getting his chance to make an impact for this team, at a time when they desperately need it. For everyone’s sake, let’s hope this former golden-domer keeps the recent tradition of his alma mater and position alive whilst in the sunshine state.