Buccaneers 4-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft after Super Bowl 58
By Josh Hill
Round 4 (126): Zak Zinter, G/Michigan
If there's one area the Buccaneers need to focus on heavily this offseason, it's rebuilding the offensive line. We've not lived through two turbulent seasons of inconsistent play that has both frustrated fans and held the rest of the offense back. Baker Mayfield made the most of it last season, but it's clear that if things are going to improve then the offensive line needs to lead the change.
Using a first round pick on Jackson Powers-Johnson is a start but that shouldn't be where the investment ends. The only piece that should be locked in is Tristan Wirfs at left tackle, and the interior offensive line needs perhaps the most serious work. Cody Mauch is still finding his footing, and adding Zak Zinter on the other side of him might go a long way in laying a foundation for a solid future up front.
Zinter helped block the Wolverines to a national championship this season, and he's one of the top guards in the country. He brings short-area quickness and scheme versatility alongside a high IQ and a ton of experience. Aaron Stinnie and Matt Feiler are both free agents this offseason and if one of them comes back it won't be as a lock to be the starting left guard.
With all that Zinter brings to the table, imagining him developing his skills between Wirfs on his left and Powers-Johnson on his right feels like a perfect fit, and the tonic to a lot of the issues that have ailed the Bucs offensive line the last two seasons.
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and rumors
feed