The Bucs haven’t completed their job in free company in my view. Sure, they’ve shored up their secondary depth with the signings of Bryce Corridor, Jordan Whitehead and Tavierre Thomas. Sure, they’ve bolstered their backend depth on the offensive line with the acquisitions of Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.
Bucs G Sua Opeta – Photograph by: USA Immediately
I might argue that they need to have pursued one of many many high-end edges accessible in free company or via commerce. However the workforce appears content material to enter 2024 with Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka main a bunch that has a stable flooring however a questionable ceiling.
However there’s nonetheless a obtrusive gap within the beginning lineup that ought to be addressed earlier than the draft. In spite of everything, free company ought to be used to handle holes on the roster in order that when a workforce enters the draft, it doesn’t must be pigeon-holed into drafting for want.
The Bucs appear to be dashing down a path to must just do that. In my estimation, neither Opeta nor Bredeson is the caliber of participant that Tampa Bay ought to really feel good with in the event that they have been to imagine the beginning left guard spot. So, what can they do to improve that spot?
Bucs Ought to Look At Greg Van Roten
Enter Greg Van Roten. Van Roten, a former undrafted free agent, has carved out a stable profession taking part in for the Packers, Panthers, Jets, Payments and Raiders. The 2023 marketing campaign was his finest season as a professional, as he earned a 77.4 go block, 68.5 run block and 75.3 general grade from Professional Soccer Focus.
His 3.35% stress charge allowed was the bottom since 2018 when he began to get common work. The veteran guard has over 100 video games of expertise and 71 begins whereas being thought to be a stable go blocker and an honest sufficient run blocker.
Raiders guard Greg Van Roten Photograph by: USA Immediately
Here’s what PFF’s Brad Spielberger needed to say about Van Roten when projecting his subsequent contract of 1 12 months and simply $2.75 million.
“Van Roten does a pleasant job of maintaining his chest clear with absolutely prolonged arms on double groups that allows him to shortly disengage and get to the second degree, however can lose floor on the line off the snap now and again when he doesn’t have a assured first step. The veteran has all the time been a stable go protector, absorbing contact properly if he stays in entrance of the rusher.”
After reviewing a few of his movie, it’s clear that he has a most popular path to success. In go safety, he needs to win early with a punch after which instantly work to maneuver his opponent to a unique path than they meant to take. Van Roten wins so much by re-routing after which driving down via the pocket go the quarterback.
He can permit his arms to maneuver too far inside every now and then. This offers opposing go rushers a possibility to spin or side-step him.
Within the run sport, he has a stable leg drive that works finest for him in a zone scheme the place he can drive opponents through the use of their very own momentum in opposition to him. He’s succesful sufficient on the second degree however isn’t a fluid mover who excels on pulls. However his play on this space is nice sufficient to be a median starter on a line with a number of above-average movers/gamers.
Van Roten Would Give The Bucs Flexibility
Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
By signing Van Roten, the Bucs may pencil him into the beginning lineup between Tristan Wirfs and Robert Hainsey and permit the Bucs to enter the 2024 NFL Draft having the ability to really goal one of the best participant accessible at every choose.
It could stop them from having to surrender the exorbitant prices related to buying and selling up in an effort to nab a participant at a place the place there could also be an sudden run.
Then, if a guard who the workforce likes is accessible once they choose at 26, 57, 89 or 92, there’s nothing stopping them from drafting that participant and beginning them. The transfer would push Van Roten right into a premium backup position with Opeta and push Bredeson to the backup middle position.
Nevertheless it additionally provides the workforce the flexibleness to take a Jackson Powers-Johnson and put him at his pure place of middle, push Robert Hainsey again into the backup middle position and permit Opeta and Bredeson to man the depth guard positions.
This might be an inexpensive signing that raises each the ceiling and the ground of the present Bucs line’s composition that additionally improves their flexibility within the draft. Greg Van Roten is a participant who would enhance the 2024 Bucs with out hurting them long-term.
