When setting up a playoff contender, one of the necessary elements is constructing out a top-tier offensive line that makes life simpler for the quarterback. Wanting on the Bucs, this has been a spotlight of basic supervisor Jason Licht’s in latest seasons, as Scott Reynolds lately coated in his newest SR’s Fab 5 column. Licht and the Bucs not solely spent one draft decide on the inside offensive final week in Duke’s Graham Barton, Tampa Bay got here again on Day 3 and drafted UTEP guard Elijah Klein within the sixth spherical, too.
Tampa Bay will quickly be heading into rookie mini-camp and OTAs with 4 of 5 beginning offensive line spots locked in with left sort out Tristan Wirfs, new heart Graham Barton, proper guard Cody Mauch, and proper sort out Luke Goedeke.
Because it stands, the beginning left guard spot is open for grabs.
Might Klein issue into that spot? It’s price pondering the thought.
Elijah Klein Has The Playstyle And Mentality That Suits In Nicely With The Bucs
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, it was clear that the Bucs wanted to deal with the inside offensive line. They did so in an enormous method by choosing Graham Barton within the first spherical, and the group considers him as a middle. However with veterans Ben Bredeson, Sua Opeta, and presumably Robert Hainsey available to compete at left guard, that place stays the weakest hyperlink alongside the offensive line – simply because it was a yr in the past.
Bucs OL Graham Barton and GM Jason Licht – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Jason Licht alluded to Bredeson and Opeta being high quality depth again on the NFL Annual Assembly, however they must earn the prospect to begin.
“If something, [each are] nice depth items, however they’re going to compete for beginning jobs,” Licht mentioned in late March. “I believe Ben can compete to begin at guard or heart, Sua at guard. Each are actually sensible gamers, each are larger guys, each have a variety of energy. Each are going to get alternatives right here that perhaps they didn’t have, effectively in Sua’s case. Particularly with us, as a result of there’s alternative. Glad to have these guys.”
However ought to neither show to encourage offensive coordinator Liam Coen, one has to marvel if the group will contemplate plugging rookie Elijah Klein in to fill that position. Klein was a five-year starter at UTEP, logging 53 begins at proper guard and two at heart. He has loads of expertise and continued to get higher throughout his time in school.
The truth is, he had the best PFF grade in move blocking amongst all school guards final season at 93.5. In 155 true pass-blocking units, he allowed simply three pressures, two hurries, and a sack in 2023. That was a marked enchancment from the earlier yr, the place these totals have been 17, 14, and two, respectively. Though he hardly ever allowed anybody close to his quarterback, his run-blocking potential is considered even larger by those that have extensively watched his recreation, with Pewter Report’s personal Josh Queipo being one in every of them.
For a Bucs offense seeking to enhance its Thirty second-ranked speeding assault final season, Elijah Klein is available in providing loads of data of the zone run ideas that will likely be a staple of Coen’s recreation plan and considers that to be his forte.
“I believe run blocking is my specialty,” Klein mentioned after being drafted. “That’s what I love to do. I prefer to be the hammer, not the nail. I don’t prefer to be passive in any side of soccer, so the run recreation is one thing that I actually pleasure myself on and I sit up for coming in and seeing what this run recreation appears like.”
He’ll take pleasure in breaking down the X’s and O’s in his new playbook, too.
It could take a while for him to develop and study to play in opposition to higher-level competitors, however Elijah Klein has upside as a beginning NFL guard. Not solely did his potential intrigue the group however so did the mentality wherein he performs the sport.
Bucs G Elijah Klein – Picture courtesy of UTEP
“They’re getting a gritty, nasty dude,” Klein mentioned in what the Bucs are getting in him. “I don’t declare to be the lightest on my toes, I don’t declare to play with essentially the most finesse, however what I do love to do is put my head down and hit individuals as laborious as I can. They’re anticipating any person who’s dirty within the trenches.”
On the present depth chart, it appears like he might want to put his head down and be a part of the combat for the left guard spot, however Bucs assistant basic supervisor John Spytek sounded open to the concept of shuffling guys across the offensive line after the draft concluded.
That included a point out of probably shifting Cody Mauch over to left guard as he has expertise on the left aspect having been the beginning left sort out again at North Dakota State, which might then create a gap at proper guard that would want filling.
There are nonetheless some shifting items to determine in terms of the offensive line, but when Elijah Klein reveals continued promise in each move and run blocking, the Bucs could have simply discovered the final cog within the younger offensive line that Jason Licht has spent a variety of sources constructing at an excellent worth.
