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Reinforcing the offensive line this offseason was one of many Bucs’ greatest priorities. After shedding Aaron Stinnie and Nick Leverett in free company and Matt Feiler not anticipated to be re-signed, the group changed them by signing veterans Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.
Listening to from head coach Todd Bowles and normal supervisor Jason Licht on the NFL Annual Assembly in Orlando, Florida, each sounded bullish on Bredeson and Opeta making an affect and maybe being starters in 2024.
But does the group have one other transfer up its sleeve?
Todd Bowles Discusses Bucs’ New OL Strikes
With left deal with Tristan Wirfs, proper guard Cody Mauch, and proper deal with 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 quite 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 yr of his rookie contract, the group 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 now we have,” Bowles mentioned. “Bredeson from the Giants, he’s performed all alongside the offensive line however if you happen to depart him in the identical place he’s an excellent participant. The one we bought 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 presents extra upside, it does convey up the query of how significantly better the group bought 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 this time
Aaron Stinnie: 56.5 offense grade, 53.7 cross block grade, 58.9 run block grade
Matt Feiler: 54.7 offense grade, 65.0 cross block grade, 52.2 run block grade
Sua Opeta: 52.9 offense grade, 57.9 cross block grade, 50.2 run block grade
Ben Bredeson: 42.1 offense grade, 42.4 cross block grade, 41.4 run block grade
Take these PFF grades how you’ll, however the level is that whereas the group 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 provide 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 group making extra offensive line strikes after these signings. “We will 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 normal supervisor Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
In the mean time, Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta are high quality “backup plans” if the Bucs’ 2024 NFL Draft board doesn’t fall how Tampa Bay would really like.
No matter how the subsequent month performs out, normal supervisor Jason Licht is optimistic that they’re prepared to return in and compete and benefit from an opportunity to earn some taking part in time.
“If something, [each are] nice depth items, however they will compete for beginning jobs,” Licht said. “I believe Ben can compete to start out at guard or middle, Sua at guard. Each are actually good gamers, each are greater guys, each have loads of power. 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 each new additions, there are features of every participant’s recreation which can be intriguing.
For Bredeson, his versatility is second to none. Final yr 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 arduous for an offensive lineman to get in rhythm when continually switching positions, and Todd Bowles did make an excellent level in that conserving him in the identical place will assist his recreation.
Bucs G Sua Opeta – Photograph by: USA At this time
Opeta is extra of a wild card, as he spent the primary 4 seasons of his profession primarily as a backup for the most effective offensive traces in soccer in Philadelphia. Attributable to harm, 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 mention at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February when discussing Tampa Bay’s offseason plan that the trenches are at all times an space he’s trying so as to add depth. How issues shake out over the subsequent month will say quite a bit about Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta’s roles going ahead.
“At all times trying to construct the trenches, at all times searching for depth, at all times searching for upgrades,” Licht mentioned then. “I believe that’s one thing that we’ll positively be trying [for] not simply within the draft, however free company, by means of camp, and no matter avenues now we have. We’ll at all times be trying there.”
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