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The Bucs had a surprisingly good season in 2023, beating many pundits’ predictions while winning the NFC South and a playoff game. And while that run was due in part to many players on the team over-performing their expectations, not every member of the team had a great season. Pro Football Focus recently focused in on a bounce-back candidate in 2024 for each team in the NFL.
The player grading sight identified center Robert Hainsey as the candidate most likely to bounce back this year.
“Hainsey’s play took a dive in 2023 due to his allowing 13 more pressures and five more sacks than the year before. On top of that, his run-blocking grade dropped a full 10.6 points. Before that, Hainsey was at least solid in his second year, to the tune of a 66.7 overall grade.
The major X-factor for Hainsey is what position Tampa’s first-round pick, Graham Barton, will play. If it’s center, then Hainsey would probably have a limited path to seeing the field. But if Barton gets more reps at guard — something very feasible with little depth inside for the Buccaneers — then Hainsey could get another crack at things in the middle.”
Where Does Robert Hainsey Fit on the Bucs in 2024?
PFF hit the nail on the head when they noted that Robert Hainey may not get the chance to bounce back in 2024 based on the team’s offseason strategy. Bucs general manager Jason Licht made the interior offensive line one of the most overhauled parts of the roster.
Center Ryan Jensen retired after two injury-plagued years that saw him miss every regular season game over that time period. Guards Aaron Stinnie and Matt Feiler and utility lineman Nick Leverett were not retained and allowed to hit free agency.
In their places the Bucs drafted Graham Barton in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and Elijah Klein in the sixth round, and added Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson in free agency. Clearly the team felt this part of the roster needed change. Hainsey may be on the outside looking in with regards to that change. If Barton pans out at the team’s desired role for him (center), that pushes Hainsey back into the backup center role, where Tampa Bay has truly wanted him over the past three years.
Hainsey, who is entering a contract year, may be given a chance to battle for the open starting left guard spot with Opeta and Bredeson, but it’s not his ideal position due to his lack of mass. Yet the Notre Dame product has added some size in the weight room this year which will help him compete for a starting role either at center or guard.
Even if Hainsey were to lose out on a starter spot in 2024 he is a player most teams wish they had. He’s a backup offensive lineman who can step into the starting lineup and still provide league average-ish play is a luxury most NFL teams do not have. That luxury helped Tampa Bay win back-to-back division titles with Hainsey at the pivot post despite losing Jensen both years in training camp. Hainsey was able to step in and allow the offensive line to perform at a league average or better level in both years.
The center position being the tip of the spear along the offensive line and Tampa Bay needs better play there. That’s why Barton, who is the most athletic center to come out in the draft since 1987 according to Kent Lee Platte’s RAS (Relative Athletic Score) system, was drafted – to provide an upgrade at the position.
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