There is no question about it, the Bucs are going all in for another Super Bowl run. According to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson and multiple reports, the Bucs are trading for Patriots right guard Shaq Mason. In the trade, the Bucs surrendered only a fifth round pick. Mason is widely considered one of the top guards in the NFL.
Shaq Mason being traded to the Buccaneers, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 15, 2022
Patriots getting a fifth-round pick back in the Shaq Mason trade to Tampa, per source.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) March 15, 2022
As part of the trade, the Bucs will assume the last two years of Mason’s contract. Tampa Bay will owe the 28-year old and average of $8 million per year over each of the next two seasons. Mason will step right into the starting right guard spot occupied by Alex Cappa. Few would argue that Mason is a superior player than Cappa. He’s been more dominant as a run blocker, but still excels in pass protection.
Per Pro Football Focus, Mason was the fourth-highest graded guard in the NFL last season. He surrendered just two sacks and 16 pressures in over 1,100 snaps last season. He’s a veteran leader who has been respected in the Patriots locker room as a 7-year starter. Mason should fit easily into the Bucs offense with former teammate Tom Brady.
The Bucs offensive line might be set in stone now. Left tackle Donovan Smith and right tackle Tristan Wirfs will return as the bookends, with Ryan Jensen at the pivot. Mason will slot in at right guard, while left guard remains a slight question mark. But the Bucs re-signed Aaron Stinnie, and will give him a chance to compete for the spot. Second-year lineman Robert Hainsey and third-year player Nick Leverett will provide competition too.
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About the Author: Jon Ledyard
A very good trade. Keep building those trenches.
But we could have had another Jaleen Darden like player with that fifth round pick.
The “speedy” one? At least according to PR writers during last pre season
2 days ago we had lost Marpet, Cappa, and faced with losing Jensen. Now, we’re right back in business with Jensen back and adding Mason for a 5th. Seems like a steal. Now lets take a hard look at the D line!
Wow! What an out of no where scenario. It’s all or nothing as we can all see, but man what an emotional last two months. From loosing on the last play of a game, to Brady and Marpet retiring, to bringing in top quality free agents and one more Brady run. Its just incredible and This coaching staff is once again making things happen. What a week for these bucs. A definite upgrade over a really good cappa and he comes $2 million a year cheaper! Congrats to Licth for whatever he did to talk BB into a trade for… Read more »
Jason Licht is The Man!
Somehow I think Brady have a hand in this deal
Hey Jon! Ever hear or see any info on Sadarius Hutcherson? This kid looked like he might be ready to step forward and compete. Is he a legitimate competition with Stinnie for that last remaining opening on that revamped OL?
A player that Brady, no doubt, had a previous relationship with. Also, a player Brady would approve of and vouch for. Nice moves for a 5th round pick. Hell… we might have gotten better.
Got this guy for a 5th? Seems like a steal. Licht is on fire. Needless to say Brady gave his blessing for this to happen. Hell hes even cheaper than Cappa.
Take gaurd off the first round draft wish list.
He has two years left making ~7mil and ~8.5 mil next year. He has a PFF grade of 85 over the past two seasons. Easily worth a 5th round pick. He’s a better guard than Cappa. No brainer. Looks like the starting offensive line will be Smith, Stinnie, Jensen, Mason, and Wirfs.
Almost makes you wonder if there is something wrong with him. Sounds to good to be true. Considered a top five guard and only have to give up a fifth round pick to get him.
During Mason’s time with Brady at New England, he was susceptible to being bull rushed by opposing players. Did not watch since Brady left, lets hope he has improved in this area
Now we just need a solid left tackle. Losing Cappa and Marpet, really hurts but keeping Jensen and Wirfs is a great base, but the Bucs have to replace their old and slow left tackle #76 Donovan Smith. 6’5″ 220lbs, Sean Rhyne from UCLA is an outstanding left tackle in this year’s draft. He’s quick and very athletic. Rhyne has very strong hands and forearms that keep defense edge rushers from grabbing him. I saw him play in four UCLA home games in 2021. He quickly eliminates his initial blocking assignment and then goes straight into the face of opposing… Read more »
rather 6’5″ 320 lbs
WHat are you talking about, DSmith has been playing well man. I think at this point DT is our biggest priority , Suh may not be coming back at all , and even if he does , this year has to be it right ?
Dude we have much bigger needs than replacing a decent LT in Smith. He won’t make or break Bucs super bowl run.
Stop spouting nonsense. Donovan Smith was graded at 83.3 by PFF last season, and the last two seasons have been his best. At 29 is is far from “old”.
SMH!!!
I agree, TB12 made our line look better than it is by making good decisions, having great pocket awareness and getting rid of the ball quickly. The anti-Jameis. We need to draft OL and DL first 3-4 rounds so we have quality depth to go into the playoffs.
I would absofreakinglutely trade Trask for a late 1st or two 2nds. As TB12 said if you want to win a SB you have to go all-in, worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Think what an additional 1st/2nd this year could do for us!
Oh my god you just don’t get it! Trading Kyle Trask to your drunk fishing friends is not the same as calling up GM Chris Grier of the Fins. (Takes 2 to Tango) No one on this site cares what you would trade trade Kyle Trask for. Both you guys Ted in Tampa included wanting to play Fantasy GM should start just your own fantasy blog
Jason earning his keep.
Great! Very good piece to bring in. I would argue LG was the bigger position to fill, being between Jensen and Wirfs, our RG has a lot of help, but doing what they need to do to get things done, I like it. Oline, RB, WR and We are good on Offense. I guarantee Brady made it clear if he comes back it’s gonna be on his terms and he gets to run the plays he wants with Arians downfield influence and we are gonna take it all the way back if we stay healthy!
Yes, Stay healthy is the key word. Need a better Strength coaching staff and program
The same group did well in 2020. Are you giving them credit for that or just wanting to blame someone for the 2021 injuries?
Upgrade, Bucs aren’t playing around this year.
this is a good trade for both teams. Now if Marpet would have a change of heart to come back for one more year we could draft a DT and OLB.
Watching Licht masterfully dance through Free Agency is a thing of beauty. It looked so bleak a few days ago. World Beater QB is back, New Receiver, new Offensive Lineman, and managing to get Davis and Jensen signed is huge. This will take off some pressure in the draft. I will predict a trade down into the second round unless there is an absolute must-have player waiting @-- 27.
And to think, a few years ago we all wanted Jason’s head on a silver platter..
No… we “all” didnt want lichts head on a silver platter.
Licht just wasn’t very good in his first few seasons, either in dealing for free agents, trades, or draft picks (Mike Evans in 2014 being the principal exception to that). HIs biggest failures were drafting Winston, and then sticking with Winston for five full seasons when it was obvious to the world what Winston was after his first two seasons … and his 2016 draft. And of course, his win/loss record as a GM was the worst Bucs record since the miserable 80s and early 90s. The bottom line is always the bottom line. So yeah, I wanted him gone… Read more »
I love this trade and it’s even an upgrade over Cappa. I think 8 mil is the amount the Bucs offered to Cappa, but he choosed the young upcoming team with the new hope at QB. Mason is a good stopgap, we have 2 years of service and solid solution for the position. Additionally just a little cap hit for that quality. We’d never would get someone similar in the 5th round in this years draft. Licht had a lot of misses in the later rounds. With our free agent signings we can focus on DT or G in the… Read more »