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Reinforcing the offensive line this offseason was one of many Bucs’ largest priorities. After dropping Aaron Stinnie and Nick Leverett in free company and Matt Feiler not anticipated to be re-signed, the workforce changed them by signing veterans Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.
Listening to from head coach Todd Bowles and basic supervisor Jason Licht on the NFL Annual Assembly in Orlando, Florida, each sounded bullish on Bredeson and Opeta making an influence and maybe being starters in 2024.
But does the workforce have one other transfer up its sleeve?
Todd Bowles Discusses Bucs’ New OL Strikes
With left sort out Tristan Wirfs, proper guard Cody Mauch, and proper sort out Luke Goedeke all locked in as starters for subsequent season, the left guard and middle place stay up for grabs.
Bucs C Robert Hainsey and LG Matt Feiler – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie stuffed in at left guard final season however neither impressed, and had been placeholders slightly than anchors on the place. Robert Hainsey, a two-year starter, held down the middle spot by beginning each recreation, however as he heads into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, the workforce might take a look at discovering an improve and a long-term answer.
Needing so as to add some depth, the Bucs determined to herald Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta on one-year offers. Head coach Todd Bowles likes each of them becoming a member of an offensive line room with room for enchancment.
“I actually like each guys that we have now,” Bowles stated. “Bredeson from the Giants, he’s performed all alongside the offensive line however for those who go away him in the identical place he’s an excellent participant. The one we obtained from Philly is a huge-size man, he’s began in some ball video games. Dropping Leverett and Stinnie clearly, we get some guys which can be preventing for a beginning spot.”
Whereas swapping out offensive linemen makes the room youthful and affords extra upside, it does convey up the query of how significantly better the workforce obtained upfront when evaluating 2023 Professional Soccer Focus grades of what the Bucs needed to what they’ve now:
Bucs G/C Ben Bredeson – Photograph by: USA At present
Aaron Stinnie: 56.5 offense grade, 53.7 move block grade, 58.9 run block grade
Matt Feiler: 54.7 offense grade, 65.0 move block grade, 52.2 run block grade
Sua Opeta: 52.9 offense grade, 57.9 move block grade, 50.2 run block grade
Ben Bredeson: 42.1 offense grade, 42.4 move block grade, 41.4 run block grade
Take these PFF grades how you’ll, however the level is that whereas the workforce has added two new offensive linemen, it doesn’t essentially preclude a much bigger transfer from being made. With extra stability and a chance, maybe Bredeson and Opeta supply regular play.
Nonetheless, the door stays open on utilizing a excessive draft choose – or two – to get a Day 1 starter.
“It doesn’t imply we received’t add any,” Bowles added on the workforce making extra offensive line strikes after these signings. “We are able to add any if we get some, however these guys we actually like that we signed.”
Bucs GM Jason Licht Says That Every Will “Compete For Beginning Jobs”
Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
In the meanwhile, Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta are high quality “backup plans” if the Bucs’ 2024 NFL Draft board doesn’t fall how Tampa Bay would love.
No matter how the subsequent month performs out, basic supervisor Jason Licht is optimistic that they’re prepared to come back in and compete and profit from an opportunity to earn some taking part in time.
“If something, [each are] nice depth items, however they’ll compete for beginning jobs,” Licht stated. “I believe Ben can compete to start out at guard or middle, Sua at guard. Each are actually sensible gamers, each are greater guys, each have a whole lot of energy. Each are going to get alternatives right here that perhaps they didn’t have, properly in Sua’s case. Particularly with us, as a result of there’s alternative. Glad to have these guys.”
When taking a look at each new additions, there are elements of every participant’s recreation which can be intriguing.
For Bredeson, his versatility is second to none. Final 12 months with the Giants, he needed to fill in at left guard, middle, and proper guard. Three of his greatest video games final season by way of PFF had been when he began the season at left guard and in his fourth recreation taking part in middle after settling in. It’s exhausting for an offensive lineman to get in rhythm when continually switching positions, and Todd Bowles did make an amazing level in that protecting him in the identical place will assist his recreation.
Bucs G Sua Opeta – Photograph by: USA At present
Opeta is extra of a wild card, as he spent the primary 4 seasons of his profession primarily as a backup for among the finest offensive strains in soccer in Philadelphia. On account of damage, he did begin six video games for the Eagles final season at each guard spots. With extra of a chance, he might begin at left guard, or at worst, maintain it down in a pinch till a yet-to-be-drafted rookie develops sufficient to take over.
Licht did point out on the NFL Scouting Mix in late February when discussing Tampa Bay’s offseason plan that the trenches are all the time an space he’s trying so as to add depth. How issues shake out over the subsequent month will say loads about Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta’s roles going ahead.
“All the time seeking to construct the trenches, all the time searching for depth, all the time searching for upgrades,” Licht stated then. “I believe that’s one thing that we’ll positively be trying [for] not simply within the draft, however free company, by way of camp, and no matter avenues we have now. We’ll all the time be trying there.”
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