As I mentioned in last week’s Bucs Briefing draft review, over the rest of the summer I’ll be highlighting three current Tampa Bay players in each weekly column, assessing their 2019 performance and looking ahead to what we should expect from them in 2020.

For this week’s column I’ve decided to focus on the Bucs’ three interior offensive line (IOL) starters, looking closely at the second half of their 2019 performance. Left guard Ali Marpet and center Ryan Jensen were the only two players on the Bucs offense not to miss a single snap last season, and right guard Alex Cappa started all but three games alongside them. Cappa suffered a broken forearm at New Orleans, but recovered in a few weeks and finished the season.

Let’s start with the best of the bunch – Marpet. Oh, and to help me break down this underrated trio, I’ve enlisted the help of one of the best offensive line experts you’ll find anywhere, The Athletic’s Brandon Thorn. Make sure you are following Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonThornNFL

LG Ali Marpet – 6-4, 307 – 27 years old – 6th season

Despite hailing from D-III Hobart College, Marpet was highly thought of among draft evaluators as a non-DI prospect, ranking 82nd on the consensus big board of a plethora of media members’ boards compiled each year by The Athletic’s Arif Hasan. The Bucs selected him even higher at No. 61 overall in the second round however, and over five seasons he has not disappointed.

Not the biggest or longest guard in the league at just 307 pounds with almost 33 1/2-inch arms, the average measurables rarely show up on tape for Marpet. He’s just too technically sound and consistent in his approach against the run and the pass.

There are things Marpet can do in pass protection that other guards couldn’t handle. He gets left on an island a good bit in Bruce Arians’ offense, and handles twists flawlessly. Marpet is even comfortable pulling in pass protection to give defenses a false run key, hitting and latching on a hard-charging defensive end in space. This is so much harder to do than he makes it look. Take a look at No. 74 pull and set in pass pro below.

Marpet handles the edge rusher like he just took a pass set at right tackle, instead of trying to find his angle and come to balance with the rusher having a two-way go in space. Many teams pull a guard on play-action to help sell run, but I see guards screw it up all the time because it’s a tough protection if that ball isn’t out quickly. Marpet is a special breed.

“Marpet’s best traits are play strength, processing, play speed and competitive toughness, all of which are very good,” Thorn said. “His grip strength and anchor really stand out. I think his ’18 season was a little better than ’19, but still a top 3-4 left guard in the NFL without question. He is just extremely well-rounded in every area as a run & pass-blocker. He can generate serious movement or combo & climb to pick up ‘backers and defensive backs.”

I watched several Marpet games, and it is difficult to find recurring issues to complain about. As Thorn mentions, Marpet, who played left tackle in college, has rare grip strength and agility for the position, which makes it very hard for pass rushers to find a path to success against him. It’s difficult for defensive linemen to cross his face and win because of his balance and quick feet, but bull-rushing him is typically fruitless as well. If Marpet lands his punch, his foe is toast.

“Marpet’s grip strength is the benchmark for left guards in the NFL,” Thorn said. “The definition of an elite trait.”

But Marpet’s mental processing is just as impressive. The guy is just absolutely outstanding on twists and stunts up front. His ability to quickly identify when defenders are moving or switching gaps, or if a late blitzer is coming in his direction is truly among the best in the NFL.

Early in the season Marpet didn’t seem to be quite himself (see Week 2 against Carolina vs. Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short), but over the second half of the season Marpet was a brick wall in pass protection. Thorn thinks slight improvements could move him into the conversation for best left guard in the NFL.

“I think if he became more consistent with his hand placement in pass-protection, specifically his strike timing, it would alleviate some of the whiffs he has here and there,” Thorn said. “That can be said about basically every guard in the league aside from Zack Martin and Marshall Yanda, but think it pops up here and there with Marpet.”

The Hobart product is never going to be a Quenton Nelson-Richie Incognito-style mauler in the run game, but he plays with outstanding toughness and physicality, and he can reach targets in space like few guards can. Marpet’s ability to fit any run scheme and still maintain a high level of play is a big selling point for his skill set.

What a freak. Marpet wipes out two Texans within seconds on this big run by Ronald Jones II, who just follows No. 74 to freedom.

Other underrated aspects of Marpet’s game include just seven total penalties over the past two years, after picking up 16 flags during the first two seasons of his career. Marpet also hasn’t missed a snap for two consecutive seasons, a feat he has accomplished three out of his first five years in the NFL.

“Right now I see left guard as Nelson and Incognito at 1a and 1b based solely on 2019, with Marpet at the top of tier 2,” Thorn said. “Tier 2 left guards can really be in whatever order, but this is how I would stack them: Marpet, Joe Thuney, Rodger Saffold, Joel Bitonio.”

Heading into his fifth season, Marpet has surpassed even the most optimistic opinions of his NFL projection. In a league with fluctuating interior offensive line play every season, Marpet is the picture of consistency and dominance as a clear-cut top 3-5 player at his position. There is no reason to assume that elite level of play won’t continue in year six.

Tampa Bay should feel very fortunate to have Marpet locked up for the next four seasons with the five-year $51.425 contract extension he signed in October of 2018. He’s worth every penny.