PewterReport.com analyzes the top players in the 2018 NFL Draft with its position previews. Mark Cook previews the offensive tackle position with a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need, a detailed list of this year’s top tackles and offers up the annual PewterReport.com Bucs’ Best Bets – one early round pick, and a pick from the later rounds.

What The Bucs Have At Offensive Tackle
The Buccaneers have Donovan Smith as Jameis Winston’s blind side protector, who also happens to be one of Bucs fans favorite players to pick on. At times, it is justified, as Smith can be having a solid game and then his inconsistency rears its ugly head and here comes a sack, a hold or a false start. Still, the Bucs view Smith as a player with still a decent ceiling and here are plans in the near future to try and wrap him up to a long term deal. On the other side, Demar Dotson’s play has shown no sign of

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah and Bucs LT Donovan Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

deteriorating, however, the former college basketball player turned starting NFL tackle will be 33 this year and won’t play forever. Coupled with the recent news of surgery to clean up some knee damage, the team will be soon need to be looking towards the future.

Leonard Wester has shown some promise and the team hopes he continues to develop into a quality reserve. The Bucs also have Brad Seaton going into his second season, along with Eastern Michigan’s Cole Gardner and former Cornhusker Givens Price.

And while many feel Caleb Benenoch’s future in the NFL is as a guard, the former UCLA standout has proven to be a serviceable fill in at tackle for the team.

What The Bucs Need At Tackle
While most wouldn’t say tackle is pressing need, as mentioned earlier, finding more developmental players is something the team would like to do. As much as they may like Wester, not many think the organization is counting on him to turn into a full time starter anytime soon.This draft isn’t top heavy in talent but there are some solid mid-round players who could be drafted later in the draft and developed into potential starters one day.

With Dotson being 33 this year and quite a bit of wear and tear on the body the team could be looking to find a player who could sit behind him, learning and developing into his eventual successor.

Click Page 2 For The Tackle Rankings