We’ve discussed the defensive line. Now, it’s time to flip over to the other side of the Bucs’ trenches and determine the best fits along the offensive line.
There are some really good candidates, so let’s waste no more time.
1. C/G Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks
Projected Selection: Rounds 2-3
Bucs fans know all about Meinerz by now. He’s a small-school prospect akin to Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, and Alex Cappa. Jason Licht loves these types prospect of prospects. When you combine that with Meinerz’s skill set, then it’s easy to see why he’s one of the Bucs’ best draft fits on the offensive line.
Aaron Stinnie is a true guard and a solid backup. However, the Bucs still need a guy who can play all three interior positions like last year’s Ted Larsen. Meinerz is still a developmental prospect, but he’d backup Jensen and would likely be the team’s fourth guard.
And of course, Meinerz could be a possible replacement for Jensen or Cappa, who are currently in the final year of their contracts.
2. G Trey Smith, Tennessee Volunteers
Projected Selection: Rounds 3-4
Smith is an excellent athlete who best projects as a guard, but also played left tackle at times in college. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the country at one point in 2017 -not the No.1 offensive lineman or offensive player, the No. 1 overall recruit- which shows how talented he is.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound mountain would be a solid backup while he develops in pass protection. Smith will get beat on the inside, but he has the anchor to sustain blocks and he chews up defenders in the run game. For now, he’s best regarded as a backup. You can’t count him out as a future starter, though. His talent and work ethic are not traits you want to bet against.
Smith’s biggest concern is his medicals. Blood clots in his lungs cut his 2018 season short and had his entire future in question at one point. They could always resurface, which is certainly a red flag.
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3. G Carson Green, Texas A&M Aggies
Projected Selection: Rounds 6-7
Depending on how the board shakes out, Green is a legit candidate to don the pewter and red in 2021.
He played right tackle in college, but he is definitely a guard in the NFL, hence the late-round selection. Green’s strength and ability to block in the running game is good enough to get him on a roster.
If the Bucs can’t get an interior lineman during the earlier rounds of the draft, Green would be a great fit on the offensive line in terms of ability and value.
4. G Wyatt Davis, Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Selection: Round 2
Davis is a top-5 guard in the draft, so he’d obviously fit the bill in terms of skill set. What places him further down the totem pole is the fact that the Bucs will likely have to trade up if they want him. While there wouldn’t be much issue in doing so, moving up in the second round will likely cost a third-round pick. Based off what the Bucs have done recently in the third round, that’s a bit more costly than what it appears to be on the surface.
5. T Tommy Doyle, Miami Hurricanes
Projected Selection: Rounds 4-5
Most have Doyle projected as a swing tackle in the NFL, which is exactly what the Bucs need to find in the draft. Sure, Josh Wells has been reliable. But Doyle is better suited for the role when it comes to what the Bucs are looking for in a draft fit along the offensive line.
Doyle is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft. You could make the case he’s more athletic than Tristan Wirfs. Doyle also has those long arms the Bucs look for in their tackles. He played both left and right tackle in college and is not only aggressive and mean in a controlled manner, but he’ll molliwhop defenders, as well.
Tampa Bay needs someone to come in and compete with Wells and Seaton. Doyle will provide just that and possibly more.
What do you think of these Bucs’ draft fits on the offensive line? Let us know via the comment section below!
