Targeting A Guard
April 12th, 2022
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
If the Bucs have a hole on the offense, that would be left guard. Is it a high enough priority to spend a first-round pick on?
The Bucs re-signed Aaron Stinnie ostensibly to battle for the starting gig. But Stinnie only signed a one-year contract, and it wasn’t for a lot of cash. That tells Joe that Stinnie either wants to hit the open market after one year as a starter or the Bucs aren’t convinced Stinnie is the long-term answer there. Or both.
Jenna Laine of ESPN takes a look at what the Bucs may do at guard in the draft.
While [Shaq] Mason steps into the right guard spot, the Bucs don’t have a clear-cut starter on the left to replace Ali Marpet, who retired in February. The Bucs re-signed Aaron Stinnie this offseason, and he has a chance to compete for that role, along with backup center Robert Hainsey and Nick Leverett, although Leverett’s ability to line up in every spot along the offensive line makes him most valuable as a backup on game day.
This is one area in which the draft (they pick 27th in Round 1) could make a lot of sense.
Here is the brainteaser about drafting a guard. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has had success drafting small school guards. Ironically both left in the offseason with Ali Marpet (Division-III Hobart College) and Alex Cappa (Division-II Humbolt State) retiring and signing elsewhere, respectively.
Would Licht stick with that formula?
If so, a guard by the name of Luke Goedeke of Central Michigan may fit the bill. Dane Brugler of The Athletic in his “The Beast” draft guide has very few small school guards listed ranked and Goedeke, 6-5, 312, is his best with a third-round grade.
The Bucs pick No. 60 in the second round, which is basically a third-round pick. The cool thing about Central Michigan is that the MAC program has produced decent offensive linemen in recent years.
Now if Licht thinks guard is the only position keeping the Bucs offense from taking the team back to the Super Bowl, maybe he does pull the trigger on a guard at No. 27?
Lots of draft talk and more on Monday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:08 am
I trust Licht and his guys/gals, but I’d rather go defense with our first two picks if Olave is gone. Licht has proven capable of finding offensive linemen later in the draft and I hope he goes that route this year.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:27 am
I agree, we need to go defensive line 1st n 2nd round. We’ve gotta find ways to apply constant pressure on qbs, especially during playoff. Stinnie played well in playoffs leading to Super Bowl victory n again in playoffs last year. There are plentiful good guards to be found in the latter rounds.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:55 am
If the Bucs take a Guard in the first 3 Rounds, I’d like it to be someone who can also play Tackle, not strictly Guard. I see more value in that.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:24 am
If G Zion or WR Burks fall to 27 I can see them going offense otherwise I believe they’ll go DT.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:35 am
I hope we move up and go for a top prospect. Would love to see stingley or Gardner in pewter.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:38 am
Luke. There some Beef. DT then OG sounds good.
April 12th, 2022 at 5:57 am
Jenna Laine … ‘This is one area in which the draft (they pick 27th in Round 1) could make a lot of sense.’
It could very well be that the BPA at #27 is an offensive player (OLineman, WR, TE, RB or even a QB, take your pick). But everyone (except Jenna apparently) knows what the Bucs’ weak link is right now: D-E-F-E-N-S-E
April 12th, 2022 at 6:18 am
DE, DT and TE on days 1 and 2 as starter/major contributors.
G, CB, WR, S, RB and P are all day 3 possibilities for depth or ST.
April 12th, 2022 at 6:24 am
I watch all of UGA’s games and I’ve always been impressed by their LG, Justin Schaffer. Projects as a 5th or 6th in most mocks and he might be a steal there. Measurables are modest, but he plays nasty.
April 12th, 2022 at 6:30 am
If we do go guard in round 1 Kenyon Green is a beast and dominated SEC DTackles most of last year. Jason also loves SEC players because of their high level of competition and you fill left guard we possibly have the best O line in the NFL.
April 12th, 2022 at 7:55 am
We need DT, DE, CB in the first 3 rounds….I trust Licht to find a G in the later rounds or even an UDFA……..
April 12th, 2022 at 8:18 am
Stinnie looks like a mauler at gaurd but Robert Hainsey is better at pass protection but appears to be the backup center.
April 12th, 2022 at 8:25 am
Ed Ingram from LSU in 3rd-great pass protector with a real nasty streak. There is no substitute for playing against SEC competition.
April 12th, 2022 at 9:00 am
We have greater needs on Defense. We have three players that can compete for left guard. Stinnie showed that he is competent when he stepped in for Cappa, They used a third round pick last year to draft Hainsey, and they seem to like Leverett a lot. Let the three battle for the starting job and the other two will provide solid depth. They only have 4 picks in this draft that could possibly make the final 53 man roster so offense line should be low on their draft day list. Multiple defense spots plus TE & RB should be higher priorities.
April 12th, 2022 at 9:47 am
To me, the first 2 rounds, at a minimum, need to target defense. Then, It depends on what player is available at 27. For example, if there is a top notch CB available, like Andrew Booth. After what we went thru with injuries with DBs last year and the we have two CBs that will be FAs, that would be my choice. We can always resign Suh.
However, if a player like Jordan Davis falls to us at 27, he make an immediate impact in our run defense and DT is a serious area of need, if not this year (resigning Suh) then next.
DE would be my last choice at 27. I place HIGH value on that position, but history shows us that unless you pick an EDGE high in the draft, they make more of an impact after the 1st year.
WR? LOL, sounds cool to give TB another weapon, but can we really afford to do that? Yea, it would make the BUCS almost impossible to defend, but then we end up with game like the Rams where last one who has the ball wins.
April 12th, 2022 at 10:04 am
It’s a good draft for an OG. There will likely be some good prospects late Day 2, or early Day 3.
I’d like to see a developmental OT, but that isn’t likely going to happen. The depth isn’t there in the draft, and there are other priorities.
What really sucks about this draft is that there are plenty of good EDGE players available. Why does that suck? Because not taking one early means that Licht is betting the farm on Tryon-Shoyinka making a sizeable second-year jump. JTS just didn’t show much last season, he desperately needs more than just a speed rush in his arsenal.
April 12th, 2022 at 10:59 am
Have to agree with PassThru. Gambling on JTS is scary. We can resign Suh, but I’d like to stock up on the always invaluable position of EDGE if a really good one is there. Besides, a little depth creates great competition for that position to improve
April 12th, 2022 at 11:00 am
It’s a tough decision for sure. There is likely to be a good O-lineman on the board at 27 who can step in and start Day 1. That would be hard to pass up on with Brady at QB. But really, for the benefit of the team, we need a DT or really good Edge rusher, and/or a good CB.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:02 am
can’t pass on zion or green at 27
April 12th, 2022 at 11:18 am
Biggest need on offense… Nope, not guard. TE. TE. TE. Even if Gronk comes back…
April 12th, 2022 at 11:57 am
Defense is what needs help right now.
Where is the pass rush? Bowles defense doesn’t work without pressure up front…
April 12th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Been saying this for weeks now….D-LINE…D-LINE…D-LINE in the first round!!! Need to build a solid player to go with Vita Vea. Even if Suh comes back (we shall see) we need a stud there! O-Line guard in 2nd or 3rd round….This draft should be about Defense…