Bucs training camp for the 2024 season began last Wednesday and the pads come on for the first time during Monday’s practice. This will be our first look at the entire roster as the Bucs get to practice in shoulder pads and helmets in front of fans over the summer. Because the physicality will be ramped up once the pads come on, that will give us a window into how Tampa Bay’s offensive line will look with a lot of new pieces acquired over the offseason.

There’s an argument to be made that the interior offensive line has undergone the biggest transformation this offseason, yet it wasn’t the only position that has undergone a transformation. Tampa Bay added several new players in the secondary, such as Jordan Whitehead returning to Tampa Bay at safety, along with Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas at corner, plus Zyon McCollum moving into a starting role as Carlton Davis III’s replacement, but that situation seems like it can be figured out quicker.

But it all starts up front as football is a game that is often won or lost in the trenches.

Why The Bucs O-Line Will Be An Important Story

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When it comes to the offensive line, it could be what makes Tampa Bay sink or swim outside of just the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield. In a write-up of the team going into 2024, NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack highlighted the significance of all changes happening to the interior of the line as the team looks to improve.

This was Kownack’s commentary about it.

“There will be new starters at two of the three interior spots on the offensive line. Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and guard Cody Mauch have the right side secure, while Tristan Wirfs provides All-Pro-caliber services at left tackle — although his desire for an extension is an added wrinkle.

“The Bucs are entrusting their snapping duties to rookie Graham Barton, the first center off the board in the 2024 draft. As for right guard, Todd Bowles already promised a “heck of a battle” between Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.”

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke and RG Cody Mauch – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs benefited a huge amount from Goedeke taking a step forward last season as he moved back to his natural position at right tackle. The hope is that Mauch will follow in the footsteps of Goedeke and improve even more at right guard.

Even if we expect that to happen, there are still two major holes at clear up at center and left guard. Tampa Bay will have two new starters along the interior offensive line, and finding an upgrade at left guard over Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie, as well as preparing Barton, the team’s first-round pick, to replace Robert Hainsey at center will be paramount in the weeks ahead at Bucs training camp.

Mauch started every game as a rookie at right guard last year and he went through his share of ups and downs throughout the season. Isn’t that likely to be the case with Barton at center? Barton, of course, was a first-round talent for a reason, so the expectation is that he can make a quicker transition during his rookie season.

How Much Better Can The Offensive Line Be?

The biggest question mark, though, has to be at left guard between Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta. These are players that have starting experience but have either been moved around often or been mostly a backup throughout their NFL careers. Are they really more of an upgrade over what Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie provided a season ago? Or are we convincing ourselves that because there will be a new left guard, that it will automatically be better?

Bucs G Elijah Klein – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Shouldn’t veteran Robert Hainsey be thrown into the mix at left guard, too. At worst he continues to back up at center behind Barton. At best, the Bucs have a player that’s started over the last two seasons and has chemistry with the rest of the offensive line. Hainsey may end up the better option out of the two newcomers.

Another dark horse to keep an eye on is rookie sixth-round pick Elijah Klein. Playing his college ball at UTEP, Klein comes from a team that predominantly ran the football. His pass blocking will need to be worked on during camp, but for a Bucs team that was last in rushing over the previous two seasons, it’s not the worst thing to have a rookie with an obvious strength in that area.

There are many positions that the Bucs need to see improved play from this season in order to go deeper in the playoffs. Tampa Bay’s offensive line might be the group holding the key that unlocks the door to a whole new level of success for this team in 2024.