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Potential Buccaneers Targets And Best Fits In The Draft: Offensive Tackle
JC Allen breaks down each position in the draft with potential fits, including the best fits for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did exactly what they said they would do this offseason and returned all of their high-quality free agents on the team. Back in the fold are Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Chase McLaughlin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. They added depth and potential starters to the team with the likes of Jordan Whitehead, Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, Tavierre Thomas, Bryce Hall, and Randy Gregory while also bringing back core depth pieces in Greg Gaines, Chase Edmonds, and John Wolford.
The moves they made have given them great flexibility in the draft and while holes remain on the roster they’ve positioned themselves to where they aren’t pigeonholed into any one position in the draft. In this series, we’ll take a look at each position in the draft and potential prospects they could select in each round. In some rounds, there won’t be any fits due to not having an overwhelming need at the position or no first-round grades on players who could potentially be there at their selection.
At the end of each preview, we’ll break down the Bucs best roster fits at each position from rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-7.
The Bucs are set with bookend tackles in Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke for the foreseeable future. Wirfs is about to reset the tackle market with a long-term extension after making the move from right tackle to left tackle. After coming in as a left guard and struggling mightily, Goedke moved back to his natural position at right tackle and finished as a top-ranked tackle in the league, though there is questionable depth behind them.
The Bucs re-signed swing tackle Justin Skule who acted as a jumbo tight end in some packages last year, but there is little confidence he could hold up if asked to play either tackle spot long-term if injuries set in. Brandon Walton enters his third year with the team and has experience at tackle but is probably better suited at guard. Behind the scenes, the team is happy with the development of second-year tackle Silas Dzansi but could use another tackle to develop as a quality backup.
With Wirfs and Goedeke locked, in it's unlikely the Bucs address the position in the first two rounds and even the first three rounds would be surprising. However, if the team feels like the value is there on day 3 of the draft they could invest a pick at the position.
Round 1
None
The Bucs shouldn't be in the market for a tackle in the first three rounds of the draft with bookends on the roster. They could select a college tackle to convert to guard but that would be the extent of it. The Bucs did have formal interviews at the Combine with Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga and Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton. While some think Fuaga is better suited at guard it's unlikely he makes it to the Bucs at 26 and Guyton is a little tall to move into inside at 6'7. If they are going to look at one of these high-end tackles to kick inside Fuaga would be the likely choice if he falls.
Round 2
Kiran Amegdajie, Yale [6'5, 323, N/A, SR]
Amegdajie is raw but has outstanding length that he uses to get his hands on defenders and move them off the line. He's light on his feet for his size and has excellent body control that allows him to mirror defenders. Has a good anchor against power and explosive strength to drive in the run game. However, he is raw and will need technique refinement and will need to play with better leverage at the next level. He played guard his sophomore year starting 10 games and finishing with an honorable mention All-Ivy. He has no known meetings with the Bucs.
Rounds 3 - 4
Blake Fisher, Notre Dame [6'5, 310, 5.20-40, JR]
Fisher has ideal length and measurables teams look for at the tackle position. He's strong at the point of attacking displacing defenders and displays a strong anchor to handle bull rushers. He shows good athleticism climbing to the next level and pulling with good lateral quickness. However, he can be late with his punch, can struggle with leverage, and has trouble with overextending in the run game. He projects as a swing tackle with starter upside. Fisher had a formal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Christian Jones, Texas [6'5,305, 5.04-40, 6SR]
With strength and length, Jones uses his power and wingspan to wall off defenders and get tremendous push in the run game. He has active feet with a quick kick slide and is an aggressive finisher, However, he can be stiff in his hips leaving him susceptible to rushers who can bend and corner, was a flag magnet (29 penalties), and isn't a fluid athlete. He projects best as a swing tackle. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Javon Foster, Missouri [6'5, 313, 5.30-40, 6SR]
Foster has NFL size and strength at the point of attack and has good hand placement to keep defenders at bay. He is active as a puller and has experience against SEC competition. However, he doesn't have an athletic profile, has stiff hips, is not a fluid bender, and his footwork and technique need improvement. He figures as a developmental tackle with swing tackle flexibility. Was a two-time captain and named first-team All-SEC in 2023. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Rounds 5-7
Walter Rouse, Oklahoma [6'6, 314, 5.25-40, 5SR]
Rouse is an intelligent player with the size teams look for at the position. He displays a decent anchor and hand technique. Rouse has a ton of experience with 52 starts over his career and allowed zero sacks in 2023. However, he's not elite in any one area and is limited athletically, has average bend, and can be inconsistent with his anchor. He projects best as a swing tackle. Rouse hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Ethan Driskell, Marshall [6'8, 313, N/A, 6SR]
Driskell has massive height and wingspan that allows him to get an initial reach on defenders to wash them out of the play. He shows good recovery in his anchor and good burst off of the line out of his stance. However, his height will work against him in the battle for leverage and he doesn't display refined technique or hand placement. Driskell will need time to develop and could be a functioning swing tackle in the NFL. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Frank Crum, Wyoming [6'8, 312, 4.94-40, 6SR]
At his size, Crum displays excellent athelticism for the position. He has good lower-body movement able to mirror defenders and displays proper hand placement. However, like most taller linemen he will struggle with leverage, can be susceptible to leaning, and will need to refine his technique at the next level. Crum projects as a swing tackle in the NFL he hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Travis Glover Jr., Georgia State [6'6, 317, 5.27-40, 6SR]
Glover possesses a large frame but has surprisingly good bend with the ability to mirror defenders. He is a nasty finisher and uses his long arms to lock rushers out with outstanding grip strength washing defenders out of the play when he gets his hands on them. He has position flexibility with experience at guard and tackle. However, he isn't an explosive athlete and will lose the leverage battle at times. He'll need to work on the quickness and timing of his punch but can provide valuable depth at multiple spots along the line. Glover hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State [6'5, 311, 5.22-40, 6SR]
Greenfield has a massive wingspan and lower body explosiveness to fire out of the snap to meet speedier edge rushers. The two-time captain has a mean streak and incredible grip strength with 55 starts at both tackle positions. However, he will struggle against power, will need to tighten his kick slide, and needs to improve his recovery skills and anchor. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Anim Dankwah, Howard [6'7, 349, 5.44-40, 5SR] - Informal
A massive human being, Dankwah is surprisingly light on his feet for his size with good bend and lateral quickness to mirrior rushers. He has active hands and uses his length to wall of defenders. However, he struggles when asked to block in space, redirecting to take on inside rushers and can overcompensate due to his high center of gravity. He had in informal meeting with the Bucs at the combine.
Best Fit Rounds 1-2
Kiran Amegdajie
If the Bucs take a tackle in the first two rounds it's going to be someone who can kick inside and compete at guard as well. Amegdajie fits the bill, and though some teams see him as a tackle and would want to develop him there, Jason Licht has a propensity for taking college tackles and moving them inside. His experience at the position also helps.
Best Fit Rounds 3-4
Blake Fisher
If something happens to either starter on the offensive line, the Bucs are in a precarious position with Justin Skule likely stepping in. While Skule has starting experience, there's a reason he's a backup now. Brandon Walton also has experience at tackle but is better suited inside. Fisher would give the Bucs some insurance if injuries were to strike the position and can be a capable swing tackle replacing Skule as soon as next season.
Best Fit Rounds 5-7
Travis Glover Jr.
Glover's blocking style fits the temperament the Bucs look for — mean and nasty. He is another prospect who can play both sides in the swing role but also has some position flexibility able to bounce inside if need be.
Check out our previous position breakdowns below:
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