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Potential Buccaneers Targets And Best Fits In The Draft: Offensive Guard
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 have an obvious hole at left guard. While they have brought in some competition at the position with Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson, it's a spot that's expected to be addressed in the draft as early as the first round. On the right side, the Bucs are set with promising second-year player Cody Mauch. There were some struggles through last season but Mauch turned in solid play and is expected to make a jump this season with a year under his belt. The Bucs did a good job at addressing depth once Aaron Stinnie and Nick Leverett left with Opeta and Bredeson and also have the versatile Brandon Walton on the roster. With a rookie in the mix, the Bucs will have a good group of starting-caliber players at guard in what should be one of the biggest competitions in training camp.
Round 1
Troy Fautanu, Washington [6'3, 317, 5.01-40, 5SR} -formal
It's unlikely Fatanu, who was once considered to be in the range of the Bucs pick at 26, will be available when the team comes on the clock. However, if he is there this should be an easy choice. Fatanu is a perfect fit for zone-based schemes. He plays with a mauler mentality, has great balance and lateral agility, and can get out in space as a puller and on screens. He'll surprise defenders with a vicious punch and has positional versatility. However, he can overextend and over-set at times and a light lower body leaves him susceptible to power rushers in some instances. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine and recently had a Zoom call with the team.
Graham Barton, Duke [6'5, 311, 4.95-40, SR]
Momentum is picking up for Barton in league circles start to catch up to NFL teams and it appears he may be off the board before the Bucs select at 26. Barton has position flexibility after starting at center his freshman season before finishing his time at Duke at left tackle. However, some believe his best fit is at guard in the NFL. Barton explodes out of his stance with balance and positioning to sustain blocks. He has great grip strength blocking through the whistle and has the athleticism and quick feet to to be a factor against speedier rushers and pulling in space. However, he has less than ideal arm length, can be grabby at time and needs to anchor better against power. Barton had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Jordan Morgan, Arizona [6'5, 311, 5.04-40, 5SR]
Morgan has all the necessary tools to succeed with a move inside. He's big, strong, can anchor, has good movement and reactionary skills, and can be a day-one starter at guard. A team captain, Morgan started every game over his final four seasons at left tackle for Arizona, culminating in 35 starts. He has been called a "role model" on the team and in the weight room and allowed just three sacks and three quarterback hits over his final two seasons. However, he can struggle with power, gets over-eager at times, and has just average lateral range. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine and met with the team during the Senior Bowl.
Round 2
Christian Haynes, UConn [6'2, 317, 5.04-40, 6SR]
Haynes has a high football IQ and plays with good strength and athleticism as a blocker. He plays with good leverage, and grip strength, and is excellent in space making him a perfect fit for a zone-blocking system. However, he doesn't have the size or length teams generally like at the position, can get grabby at times, and can struggle with power. He'll be a 24-year-old rookie but was dependable with 49 straight starts and was a team captain. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Cooper Bebe, Kansas State [6'3, 322, 5.04-40, 5SR]
Bebe displays good timing and hand placement with his punch and a solid anchor to handle power. Very intelligent and versatile, he maintains good leverage with an understanding of angles and powerful drive to move defenders. However, Bebe's short arms and below-average athleticism will turn a lot of teams off. He's slow off the ball and can struggle with recovery speed and getting out in front when asked to pull. Only allowed one sack and got called for two penalties in his final two seasons. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Dominick Puni, Kansas [6'5, 313, 5.35, 6SR]
A former college tackle, Puni will be asked to move inside where he has a powerful frame to move defenders off the ball. He is a better pass protector at this stage of his career, with good hand placement and punch and the ability to mirror defenders with a feel for the pass rush. However, he can play with inconsistent pad level, can have difficulty with athletic sub-rushers, and has some limitations when he is forced to play in space. He let up zero sacks over his final 25 starts and had a formal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Rounds 3 - 4
Christian Mahogany, Boston College [6'3, 314, 5.13-40, 5SR]
Mahogany is a mauler in the run game with strong hands to latch and a nasty finish. A tone-setter on the line he has a stout anchor to hold up in pass protection with good burst off the ball and enough athleticism to be a factor when pulling. However, he lacks lateral quickness to mirror defenders can be inconsistent with his leverage, and can play with low hands making him susceptible to pass rush moves like swims and rips. The two-time captain is a better run blocker right now but has some things that can easily be fixed with coaching. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Mason McCormick, South Dakota State [6'4, 309, 5.08-40, 6SR]
The senior left guard has a nasty demeanor and is physical to the whistle. He excels in run blocking, especially in zone, and finishes blocks when engaged. While he isn't a polished product in pass blocking, he adjusts well to a wide array of pass rush moves defenders will use against him. In 54 consecutive starts at left guard, he allowed just two sacks. He'll need to prove he can handle the jump from the FCS to the NFL. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Isaiah Adams, Illinois [6'4, 315, 5.22-40, 6SR]
Adams has the strength, size, and mean streak teams look for. He is adept as both a pass protector and in the run game with quickness out of his stance and an anchor to work against power. He's a nasty finisher and was voted a team captain in 2023. However, he can get out-leveraged at times and will struggle to recover in space. Adams played tackle and guard at Illinois but is better suited at guard in the NFL. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Zak Zinter, Michigan [6'5, 309, N/A, SR]
Zinter is a powerful and tough-nosed blocker able to out-physical defenders. He has a high football IQ, a strong anchor, and is a lunch pail type player. However, he is just an average athlete, can be out-leveraged, has stiff hips, and is coming off several broken bones in his leg. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Rounds 5-7
Gottlieb Ayedze, Maryland [6'4, 308, 5.01-40, 5SR]
Aydze displays a strong punch with good recovery skills and capable lateral quickness when pulling and on screen plays. He plays with a good base and patience in pass protection allowing for a clean pocket. However, he'll need to get stronger and prove he can handle NFL competition. He has the tools to develop into a quality guard in the league but will take some time. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Keaton Bills, Utah [6'4, 324, 5.30-40, 5SR] informal
Bills is a bully in the run game with a powerful punch when it lands. He works well in a phonebooth and has the anchor to combat power, while also displaying toughness when finishing. However, he is just an average athlete that can struggle to get out in space quickly. He can be undisciplined with his hands and inconsistent timing the snap. Bills was a leader in the locker room with 38 starts at left guard. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Donovan Jennings, USF [ 6'4, 332, 5.02-40, 6SR]
Jennings explodes out of the snap with quick feet and strong hands to sustain in the run game and pass protection. He has good recognition skills and the agility to block out in space. However, he needs to get stronger in the run game and anchor better against power. He doesn't have great length and will need to get better in his recovery. Jennings played tackle in college but will need to bump inside at the next level. He attended the Bucs' local pro day playing his college ball in Tampa.
Ladarius Henderson, Michigan [6'4, 309, N/A, 5SR]
Henderson has a massive wingspan and good athleticism. He displays efficiency climbing to the second level and plays through the whistle with the right demeanor. However, he has a ton of inconsistencies in his game including his anchor, contact balance, and pad level. There are tools to work with but he is a developmental prospect with limited upside. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Best Fit Rounds 1-2
Christian Haynes
While Fautanu and Barton are great fits, Fautanu will be long gone and it's becoming increasingly likely that Barton will be off the board as well. I think Morgan could be in play in the first round but at such a deep position I believe the Bucs will wait until round two or three to address the interior. Haynes fits the bill with excellent character, strength, and smarts to fit in on the line. Puni is a strong candidate as well.
Best Fit Rounds 3-4
Mason McCormick
If you have paid attention, it's no secret why I like McCormick. He's the scrappy small school player that Jason Licht loves with a nasty demeanor. He has good athleticism and would be a great fit in the Bucs zone system. Adams makes some sense here as well.
Best Fit Rounds 5-7
Gottlieb Ayedze
I fully expect the Bucs to draft a guard within the first four rounds, but if they don't, Ayedze is a quality developmental guard that has the upside to be a starter in the league. He'll need some time in and NFL strength and conditioning program and some refinement in some areas but he wouldn't be a bad selection on day three if the Bucs don't go guard early.
Check out our previous position breakdowns below:
Tight End
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