The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to have a bit of a youth movement along the offensive line. While Tristan Whirfs is the lockdown leader in the room, there will be a push from younger players to steal a roster spot or even a starter's job.
In 2025, the Buccaneers added Dan Feeney to the roster. He started 10 of his 12 games. The guard has bounced around the NFL for nine years. After four years with the Chargers to start his career, Feeney spent two with the Jets and has changed teams each of the last three years.
Feeney is looking to stick with the Buccaneers for a second season, but rookie Billy Schrauth will look to push for Freeney's job. If he succeeds, will the Bucs keep the veteran?
Dan Feeney will have to fend off rookie competiton to keep his job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There isn't a lot to be digested from OTAs and mini-camps. They are padless practices, but that will change when training camp arrives. This is where borderline jobs are won and lost.
Six-year veteran Ben Bredeson should start at left guard this year. He is entering his third season with the Bucs and 7th season in the NFL. Since joining Tampa Bay, he has started every game he has played in.
That leaves the competition to the right side of the line. The Tampa Bay roster lists nine players as guards. Cody Mauch started all 17 games in the first two seasons before missing all but two due to injury in 2025. Mauch is healthy again and should be able to take back the starting job.
That moves Feeney down the depth chart, where competition will get a lot stiffer. Six players have less than three years of experience, but the Buccaneers like the youth.
Complicating the decisions will be how many players at each position Jason Licht will keep. The Bucs list only one player at center and six at tackle. Many teams look for versatility with their linemen. If a promising tackle can also play guard, they have more value.
For Feeney, the ability to also play center could help his case, but right now, the numbers are not looking good for the veteran. He is going to need a solid camp to convince the coaches that his experience is a better fit than a rookie who is still learning the ropes.
Schrauth isn't likely to win a starting job, not over Mauch and Bredeson, but he isn't likely to end up off the roster. The Bucs invested a 5th-round pick in the guard. Schrauth will get a bit more of a pass for bad reps, whereas Feeney may not.
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