There isn’t an obvious need for the Buccaneers at the interior offensive line position, as Graham Barton submitted a fine rookie season at center and Cody Mauch seems to have one of the guard positions locked down, but the left guard spot is a bit up in the air until the Bucs either bring back Ben Bredeson or look for another veteran to fill the spot for 2025.
There’s also the possibility that the Bucs want to double down on what was already a good-if-not-great part of their team last year and spend a pick on the IOL.
Here are three options, varying a bit in both the starting and backup variety as well as draft and on-field positioning.
Tyler Booker, Alabama
Mostly thought of as a mid round-2 guy, Booker is probably the best guard available in this class.
With 34-inch arms and a proclivity to be a powerful difference maker in the run, Booker could potentially give the Buccaneers one of the best offensive lines in football.
His footwork is a bit meh, leading to him struggling against the 2nd level despite being very dependable against defensive linemen.
He’s also not as bad as you might think in the passing game, and of course has the built-in advantage of playing against the strong SEC defenses.
Booker would be an immediate starter, giving the Bucs a solid answer at one of their guard positions for the next few seasons if all goes well.
Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
More than likely a round 4 pick, Fairchild was a fun player at Georgia despite being a bit overshadowed by his fellow guard Tate Ratledge, who is another interesting option for the Bucs in round-3, but one we won’t get in-depth on because Fairchild is a more realistic pick.
Fairchild’s weakness is also a potential strength, especially if he’s only going to cost a 4th round pick; he lacks a whole lot of experience that others have, but that could be viewed as a good thing, as there’s probably a bit more in the tank development-wise.
He was a state champ wrestler, giving credence to the strength needed to play an interior line position, and was All-SEC in 2024.
While he might not start immediately, Fairchild could be a long-term answer at one of the guard positions; he’s not the day-one starter that Booker is, but if the Bucs bring back Bredeson, Fairchild is a very good backup who could turn into a starter eventually.
Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
McLaughlin has so many academic credentials that it’s a bit surprising that he’s playing football instead of doing something in the real world, but he could get drafted or signed as an UDFA and turn in a productive career as a backup center.
Luckily for him, the Buccaneers need that after Robert Hainsey leaves in free agency, and McLaughlin could provide a solution to that problem even in the back end of the draft.
He struggles to hold up physically, which is concerning for a position as demanding as center in the strength department, and he weirdly has problems with snaps on occasion, but that’s why he’s a 7th round guy, he’s not a perfect prospect.
But he doens’t need to be in order to be a backup or a practice squad guy, and his value could be more in his ability to read blitzes and give his fellow offensive linemen proper direction and signals, being a true leader on the practice and real field.
Follow @ctbrantley12 on Twitter and listen to him on the RBLR Bucs Podcast
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
