Reinforcing the offensive line this offseason was one of many Bucs’ largest 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 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 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 – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie crammed in at left guard final season however neither impressed, and had been placeholders fairly than anchors on the place. Robert Hainsey, a two-year starter, held down the middle spot by beginning each sport, however as he heads into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, the group may have 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 stated. “Bredeson from the Giants, he’s performed all alongside the offensive line however if you happen to go away 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. Shedding Leverett and Stinnie clearly, we get some guys which might be combating for a beginning spot.”
Whereas swapping out offensive linemen makes the room youthful and presents extra upside, it does deliver up the query of how a lot 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 – Picture by: USA At the moment
Aaron Stinnie: 56.5 offense grade, 53.7 go block grade, 58.9 run block grade
Matt Feiler: 54.7 offense grade, 65.0 go block grade, 52.2 run block grade
Sua Opeta: 52.9 offense grade, 57.9 go block grade, 50.2 run block grade
Ben Bredeson: 42.1 offense grade, 42.4 go 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 supply regular play.
Nonetheless, the door stays open on utilizing a excessive draft decide – or two – to get a Day 1 starter.
“It doesn’t imply we gained’t add any,” Bowles added on the group 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 – Picture 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 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 enjoying time.
“If something, [each are] nice depth items, however they’re going to compete for beginning jobs,” Licht stated. “I feel Ben can compete to start out at guard or middle, Sua at guard. Each are actually good gamers, each are greater guys, each have numerous energy. Each are going to get alternatives right here that possibly they didn’t have, effectively 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 facets of every participant’s sport which might 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 finest video games final season through PFF had been when he began the season at left guard and in his fourth sport enjoying 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 amazing level in that conserving him in the identical place will assist his sport.
Bucs G Sua Opeta – Picture by: USA At the moment
Opeta is extra of a wild card, as he spent the primary 4 seasons of his profession primarily as a backup for probably the greatest offensive strains in soccer in Philadelphia. On account of harm, he did begin six video games for the Eagles final season at each guard spots. With extra of a chance, he may 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 at all times an space he’s wanting so as to add depth. How issues shake out over the subsequent month will say so much about Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta’s roles going ahead.
“All the time trying to construct the trenches, at all times on the lookout for depth, at all times on the lookout for upgrades,” Licht stated then. “I feel that’s one thing that we’ll positively be wanting [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 wanting there.”
