Buccaneers' Starting Offensive Line Plan Starting to Become Clear

With many moving parts along the Bucs' OL over the past year, there's been a lot of uncertainty regarding who will start, and which players will occupy which positions. Finally, we're getting some clear answers from the coaches who make those decisions.

It's tough to deny that disaster struck the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive line last season.

For the first few years of the Tom Brady era, the Bucs' OL was one of the top units in the entire NFL. But by the time the 2022 season came along, a lot had changed.

In the months between the Buccaneers' final game of the 2021 season — a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round playoffs — and their first game of 2022 vs. the Dallas Cowboys, Ali Marpet (LG) had retired, Alex Cappa (RG) signed with Cincinnati, and Ryan Jensen (C) blew out his knee.

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This string of occurrences left the Buccaneers' scrambling to pick up the pieces.

Trading for Shaq Mason to inherit Cappa's vacated position at right guard was the first step taken. Switching Robert Hainsey's position (again) — but this time to center — was the next. Moving second-round pick, Luke Goedeke, to left guard, was the final step in a contingency plan that ended up requiring numerous modifications throughout the season.

Once Donovan Smith went down with an elbow injury in that first game vs. Dallas, it was clear the wheels had really fallen off for this group. Credit needs to be given to reserve players like Nick Leverett, Aaron Stinnie, and Josh Wells — even though the latter two were also lost for the season due to injury — for stepping up when they were called upon.

That said, the lack of continuity, consistency, and positional familiarity had a direct impact on the offensive line's ability to execute on the field. The disappointing performance by the Buccaneers' offense throughout the entire season — though it should be acknowledged that other factors were at play — provides all the evidence needed to support this claim. 

So with Tom Brady retired, and the disappointing results of the 2022 NFL season behind us, we've understandably seen some changes along the Bucs' offensive line. 

The team released their longtime starting left tackle, Donovan Smith. Steady veteran, Shaq Mason, was traded to Houston for a late-round draft pick. The Buccaneers' proceeded to sign a cheaper alternative in Matt Feiler, who has experience starting at both guard and tackle. More recently, the Bucs drafted Cody Mauch, an athletic mauler out of North Dakota State University, in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Mauch pick was a bit of a surprise. Not because he isn't a tantalizing prospect, but because he projects as a guard at the NFL level, whereas the team's most obvious positional need along the line is undoubtedly at tackle. This is the position left open due to the departure of Donovan Smith, who has since joined the Kansas City Chiefs where he is expected to be their starting left tackle this season.

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Anyway, the pieces fell where they did. And after hearing Bucs' OC, Dave Canales, and run game coordinator, Harold Goodwin spoke to the media earlier this week, we're finally starting to gain some clarity regarding how these players will be aligned for next season. 

LT: TRISTAN WIRFS

Two-time All-Pro right tackle, Tristan Wirfs, will be moving from the right to the left side.

LG: MATT FEILER

It appears as though newly acquired Matt Feiler, a player who has spent 9 seasons playing in the NFL, will be the team's starting left guard.

C: RYAN JENSEN

Ryan Jensen will inherit his role as the team's anchor in the middle, and starting center. 

RG: CODY MAUCH

This is the position that is being framed as a competition. Which makes sense, based on how well Robert Hainsey played filling in for Jensen at center last season. Aaron Stinnie and Nick Leverett have also both proven to be capable starters at guard and will be given a chance to compete for the job in training camp. That said, Cody Mauch is the most talented player of all players under consideration, and I think if he performs as most people expect during OTA's and training camp, the job will be his to lose. 

RT: LUKE GOEDEKE

Luke Goedeke, who struggled mightily at left guard, is expected to move back to his more natural position at right tackle.

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During Goodwin's presser, he spoke specifically about Goedeke: “Right now, he’s trending towards right tackle." He went on to verify Canales' earlier comments about the other side of the line by saying, "I think Dave has already told you guys that Tristan and Matt are on the left and now he’s penciled in on the right."

A lot can change between now and September. Players get hurt, as we saw first hand last season, and some will have the opportunity to compete for playing time. But as it stands, the plan for the Buccaneers' offensive line in 2023 is finally beginning to take shape.

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