Uncertainty defines one key area of the Buccaneers roster
The progress of the Buccaneers offensive line is going to be must-see TV in 2023.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers arguably had the NFL's best offensive line as recently as two years ago. If someone didn't think the unit was No. 1, it was certainly top-3, at worst.
These days, the offensive line is a former shell of itself. It's Year 2 of the post-Ali Marpet era, Alex Cappa is in Cincinnati, and Donovan Smith has been released.
And even though he wasn't on the team in 2020 or 2021 – Shaq Mason was just traded to the Houston Texans.
This leaves the duo of All-Pro Tristan Wirfs and Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen as the last men standing from the best starting five in Buccaneers history. That in turn leaves approximately three openings on the offensive line: both guard positions and one of the tackle positions.
The good news is the Buccaneers have viable in-house options. There are questions with each candidate, however, that could result in less-than-desirable results when it comes to on-field performance.
Nick Leverett is in the best position to win one of the starting guard spots, but even then, there are questions regarding his overall ceiling and he still needs to show that he can provide effective results at a consistent level in the NFL. Robert Hainsey is next in line when it comes to a likely starter at guard, but there's no guarantee he can make the transition from center. And then, it's completely unknown as to whether or not Luke Goedeke or Brandon Walton can man the right tackle position (assuming Wirfs is moved to left tackle, of course).
The Buccaneers aren't going to bring in a big name via free agency and it's unknown if they take an offensive lineman with the 19th pick in the draft. There's also a large degree of uncertainty when it comes to the impact of an offensive linemen taken in the second or third rounds, as well.
What could hurt the team the most is the lack of a proper quarterback evaluation due to poor offensive line play. Meaning, if Kyle Trask is the Buccaneers starting QB in 2023, it's going to be hard to evaluate him if the offense can't run the ball or if he doesn't have time to throw the ball. The Buccaneers need everything to go as well as it can in order to make a sound future decision on Trask and that doesn't happen if the offensive line sucks.
But, in the long-term, the Buccaneers could end up with a formidable offensive line for the foreseeable future. If everything goes as envisioned, of course.
The NFL is an ever-changing game, but the one staple that's withstood the test of time is effective play in the trenches. The best teams can rely on their offensive and defensive front(s) to make game-changing plays, which leads to wins the vast majority of the time.
The Buccaneers have major questions when it comes to both of their fronts, but when it comes to the offensive front – the potential answers they receive could very well give the team a clear path to competing both very soon and for a long time.
For now, though, the questions will continue to circle the unit until they're either put to rest or manifest themselves on the field.
