ESPN Believes This Sneaky Move Could Be a Game Changer For Buccaneers in 2024

NFL Free Agency has pretty much wound all the way down at this point as many of the top players have already either re-signed with their team or found a new home to begin the 2024 season.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was the former as they constructed a well-thought-out plan to bring back all of their key free agents while improving in other areas by adding some lesser-known names to their roster. One of those under-the-radar moves that the Buccaneers made this offseason was the signing of former Philadelphia Eagles’ reserve offensive guard Sua Opeta.

The signing of Opeta likely went largely unnoticed by much of the league, but according to ESPN, the move will greatly benefit the Buccaneers’ offense as he is a proven run blocker - something that Tampa Bay has struggled with over the past couple of seasons.

Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, “The Buccaneers averaged 3.5 yards per rush on interior rushes in 2023, which ranked second to last in the league. They also had a 67.4% run block win rate, which ranked last. Opeta, the Eagles' top reserve guard in '23, produced a 76.4% run block win rate, which ranked better than that of Tampa Bay guards Matt Feiler and Cody Mauch. If the team can upgrade its center position in addition to this move -- and there are options in this draft class -- the interior run game will vastly improve.”

While the Buccaneers continued to hammer away on the ground in 2023 there wasn’t much to show for it as they once again were in the bottom third of the league in almost all statistical rushing categories. If they are finally able to get the offensive line to perform even at an average level in run blocking they should be able to open up the offense even more in 2024.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.

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