The Bucs are expected to part ways with starting right guard Shaq Mason this week. If Tampa Bay can’t trade Mason, the team is expected to release him in a salary cap move that will save $5.272 million in cap space.
So, with left tackle Donovan Smith jettisoned for cap space after a rough 2022 season and now the departure of Mason at right guard, what will the Bucs offensive line look like in 2023? Here are the pieces that general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles, offensive coordinator Dave Canales and offensive line coaches Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert have to work with as they retool the O-line for the upcoming season.
Bucs Offensive Linemen With Starting Experience
Pro Bowl tackle Tristan Wirfs
Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen
Robert Hainsey, a third-round pick with starting center experience
Luke Goedeke, a second-round pick with starting LG and RT experience
Nick Leverett, an undrafted free agent with starting LG experience
Bucs Reserve Offensive Linemen
OT-G Brandon Walton
G-C John Molchon
OT Justin Skule
OT Grant Hermanns
OT Dylan Cook
OT Michael Niese
The Bucs are expected to use the OTAs to give Wirfs a shot at moving to left tackle to see if he can flawlessly transition from the right side at the next level. Having two stud tackles is ideal in the modern era of the NFL, but there is still a premium placed on having an elite blindside pass protector.
The Bucs were encouraged by what they saw from Goedeke at right tackle in the team’s Week 18 loss at Atlanta, when he started in place of Wirfs. Goedeke struggled mightily switching from right tackle in college to left guard, and making the jump from Central Michigan to the NFL. If Wirfs goes to left tackle and Goedeke goes to right tackle, here is what that could look like next year for Tampa Bay.
LT Wirfs
LG Leverett or mid-round rookie
C Jensen
RG Hainsey
RT Goedeke
This way, the Bucs get their money’s worth when it comes to their draft picks. Hainsey is inserted at right guard (he played right tackle at Notre Dame) to play in between Jensen and Goedeke. In this scenario, the Bucs could draft a guard in the middle rounds to compete with Leverett at left guard. Tampa Bay formally interviewed Wisconsin’s Joe Tippman at the NFL Scouting Combine and had an informal with Oregon’s Alex Forsyth.
If the Bucs decide to keep Wirfs at right tackle and draft a left tackle – perhaps Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison, whom the Bucs interviewed, in the first round – here is what that lineup could look like without Mason at right guard.
LT First-round rookie
LG Hainsey or Leverett
C Jensen
RG Goedeke
RT Wirfs
This lineup keeps Goedeke at guard, but moves him to the right side, where his first step and first punch would be a bit more natural. With his starting experience and third-round draft status, Hainsey would then be the front-runner at left guard, where he would compete with Leverett.
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