If the Buccaneers can add one more starting offensive lineman the offense may just be complete.
In 2018 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite their 5-11 record and a last-place finish in the NFC South had one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL.
The Bucs ranked third in total offense in the NFL averaging 416 yards per game. Led by quarterback Jameis Winston and one of the best receiving corps in the league the Bucs led the league in passing offense with 320 yards a game.
The rushing offense, on the other hand, wasn’t as successful.
The combination of young running back Peyton Barber and a less than stellar offensive line wasn’t ideal as the Bucs never seemed to get the rushing game going.
Barber ended the season with 871-yards rushing, five touchdowns and just one 100 yard rushing game.
Behind Barber, Ronald Jones the highly touted second-round pick out of USC was a non-factor as he averaged just 1.9 yards per carry with one touchdown.
Overall the Bucs run game finished 29th in the league averaging 95 yards per game. Thus, it’s clear the reason why the Bucs weren’t considered a feard offense was because of the rushing game.
How can the Bucs get the run game going and take this offense to an elite level?
They need one more above average run blocking offensive linemen.
If the season started today, the Bucs offensive line would consist of Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Caleb Bennonech and Demar Dotson from left to right.
No team has Pro Bowlers at every position on the offensive line, but the Bucs don’t have a single one.
Despite the lack of talent, the Bucs offensive line is among the highest paid.
Recently the Bucs signed tackle Donavan Smith to a puzzling extension worth nearly 42 million.
This contract came on the heels of a season that he was rated one of the worst run-blocking tackles in football by Pro Football Focus.
Another problem is Ryan Jensen who is the highest paid center in the league and is ranked number 28 out of the top 38 statistically.
The Bucs did pick up Earl Watford a free agent guard who spent time with Arizona but lost Leonard Wester to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With help needed up front, there are a couple of excellent run blocking offensive linemen will be available in rounds 3-5 that will could help get the Bucs running game untracked.
Martez Ivory from Florida, Isaiah Prince and Micheal Jordan from Ohio State, and Joe Lowery from Ohio University are just a few options.
In 2019 the Bucs once again have a good chance to have a prolific offense.
They can have an elite offense by adding an above average run-blocking offensive lineman to the group.
