Bucs coaching camp for the 2024 season started final Wednesday and the pads come on for the primary time throughout Monday’s follow. This will probably be our first take a look at the complete roster because the Bucs get to follow in shoulder pads and helmets in entrance of followers over the summer time. As a result of the physicality will probably be ramped up as soon as the pads come on, that can give us a window into how Tampa Bay’s offensive line will look with a number of new items acquired over the offseason.
There’s an argument to be made that the inside offensive line has undergone the most important transformation this offseason, but it wasn’t the one place that has undergone a metamorphosis. Tampa Bay added a number of new gamers within the secondary, resembling Jordan Whitehead returning to Tampa Bay at security, together with Bryce Corridor and Tavierre Thomas at nook, plus Zyon McCollum transferring right into a beginning position as Carlton Davis III’s substitute, however that state of affairs looks as if it may be discovered faster.
But it surely all begins up entrance as soccer is a recreation that’s typically gained or misplaced within the trenches.
Why The Bucs O-Line Will Be An Essential Story
Bucs C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Relating to the offensive line, it might be what makes Tampa Bay sink or swim exterior of simply the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield. In a write-up of the staff going into 2024, NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack highlighted the importance of all adjustments taking place to the inside of the road because the staff appears to be like to enhance.
This was Kownack’s commentary about it.
“There will probably be new starters at two of the three inside spots on the offensive line. Offensive sort out Luke Goedeke and guard Cody Mauch have the appropriate aspect safe, whereas Tristan Wirfs offers All-Professional-caliber companies at left sort out — though his need for an extension is an added wrinkle.
“The Bucs are entrusting their snapping duties to rookie Graham Barton, the primary heart off the board within the 2024 draft. As for proper guard, Todd Bowles already promised a “heck of a battle” between Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.”
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke and RG Cody Mauch – Photograph courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs benefited an enormous quantity from Goedeke taking a step ahead final season as he moved again to his pure place at proper sort out. The hope is that Mauch will comply with within the footsteps of Goedeke and enhance much more at proper guard.
Even when we count on that to occur, there are nonetheless two main holes at clear up at heart and left guard. Tampa Bay can have two new starters alongside the inside offensive line, and discovering an improve at left guard over Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie, in addition to making ready Barton, the staff’s first-round choose, to exchange Robert Hainsey at heart will probably be paramount within the weeks forward at Bucs coaching camp.
Mauch began each recreation as a rookie at proper guard final 12 months and he went by his share of ups and downs all through the season. Isn’t that more likely to be the case with Barton at heart? Barton, after all, was a first-round expertise for a purpose, so the expectation is that he could make a faster transition throughout his rookie season.
How A lot Higher Can The Offensive Line Be?
The largest query mark, although, must be at left guard between Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta. These are gamers which have beginning expertise however have both been moved round typically or been largely a backup all through their NFL careers. Are they actually extra of an improve over what Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie supplied a season in the past? Or are we convincing ourselves that as a result of there will probably be a brand new left guard, that it’s going to mechanically be higher?
Bucs G Elijah Klein – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Shouldn’t veteran Robert Hainsey be thrown into the combination at left guard, too. At worst he continues to again up at heart behind Barton. At greatest, the Bucs have a participant that’s began over the past two seasons and has chemistry with the remainder of the offensive line. Hainsey could find yourself the higher choice out of the 2 newcomers.
One other darkish horse to regulate is rookie sixth-round choose Elijah Klein. Enjoying his faculty ball at UTEP, Klein comes from a staff that predominantly ran the soccer. His cross blocking will have to be labored on throughout camp, however for a Bucs staff that was final in dashing over the earlier two seasons, it’s not the worst factor to have a rookie with an apparent power in that space.
There are numerous positions that the Bucs have to see improved play from this season as a way to go deeper within the playoffs. Tampa Bay’s offensive line could be the group holding the important thing that unlocks the door to an entire new degree of success for this staff in 2024.
