Round 3, Pick 76

Damien Lewis, OG, LSU

Height: 6-2

Weight: 327

Class: Senior

D.O.B.: N/A

Statistical Profile: After transferring from Northwest Mississippi Community College after two seasons, Lewis found himself in LSU’s starting lineup in his first season with the Tigers as a junior. Two seasons later and Lewis had 27 consecutive starts and a Second Team All-SEC award to boast to NFL teams. Lewis also attended the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, as one of the top offensive linemen at the event and wowed scouts in attendance.

Scouting Lewis: I love guards who play nasty, and that absolutely describes Lewis’ game. If you’re looking for a gap scheme guard that can move interior defensive linemen off the ball and hit second-level targets, Lewis is one of the best options in the class. He’s mean, physical, and he’ll finish at every chance he gets.

LSU RG Damien Lewis worked hard for this finish.

Anfernee Jennings rag-dolling Charles for this stop. Wonder if he’ll be around for #Steelers 3rd rd comp pick or maybe even in rd 4 pic.twitter.com/Ljh5MhSmFn

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 17, 2020

As strong as he is in the run game however, Lewis has the bizarre tendency to get bull-rushed in pass protection. At times his stance can get too wide, but the biggest issue is his strike placement is consistently wide, failing to land with authority on his opponent’s chest. Hitting too much air causes Lewis to lose balance and makes recovery against any move to his edge impossible.

When Lewis strikes first and hits his opponent dead center, it can be game over. His grip strength and leg drive will put guys in the dirt one play after being knocked to the ground himself. He has to become far more consistent in pass protection in order to be considered a quality starter, but all the traits and abilities are there. It’s much more of a technical issue than a physical deficiency.

Lewis is late off the ball and his punch is way too wide, but he’s still able to mirror the rusher, re-adjust his hands and drive the defender well out of the play despite the technical lapse. Clearly there are things to clean up at the next level, but it’s hard not to love the tools.

I think he can operate in a zone scheme, but you’re much more likely to avoid ugly reps if you keep Lewis moving vertically as opposed to trying to handle some of the gap shooters in today’s NFL. He’s quicker than people think, but moving laterally isn’t his strength compared to down blocking.

Lewis also needs to be quicker off the snap and win with hands inside more often. He’s plenty explosive in his first movements, but his timing to erupt off the ball needs to be more consistent. Lewis will have to fix that punch, too. Wide hands get holding penalties and result in reps like this against studs like Auburn’s Derrick Brown.

Lewis has a higher ceiling than he’s given credit for, but technical issues are holding him back. His quickness and power cannot be taught however, and he’s got the ideal build and leverage for a guard in the run game. He has stud starter written all over him, but he has to be able to adjust a few little things about his game or NFL pass rushers will beat him soundly on the inside.

Bucs Fit: Lewis can be an early starter in the NFL, but he will have his ups and downs and could be best fit for a play-action heavy passing attack that doesn’t put a ton of strain on their offensive line in pass protection. That hasn’t been the Bucs’ scheme under Arians, but times may be changing a little bit.

Tampa Bay wants to get more physical and nasty in the run game, and Lewis can absolutely help them do that. There is solid upside to his overall game if the pass protection issues can be cleaned up, and the fit is certainly there schematically to make the investment worth it. Lewis might not be atop the Bucs’ board on Day 2 of the draft, but he’ll definitely be an option if they are continuing to look for starting competition at right guard.