Offensive Tackles:Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers, Donovan Smith was immediately thrown to the wolves, at left tackle. Smith was drafted to protect the blind side of Jameis Winston, the future of the franchise. Smith started 16 contests at a position where most young players struggle. Smith is a huge, strong, powerful lineman who plays with toughness and a mean streak. He can muscle and maul defenders and is a very good run blocker. Smith has the feet, agility, and overall athleticism to be a sound pass protector, but he needs to dramatically improve his pass protection technique. Smith struggled at times against quick speedy pass rushers. He allowed 5 sacks, and was called for 11 penalties (4 false starts, 6 holding, & 1 illegal use of hands). Pro Football Writers of America honored Smith naming him a member of the All-Rookie Team after his 2015 campaign. Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent following, the 2009 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers as a developmental player, Demar Dotson has started 52 of 76 games since entering the league. Dotson played one season of college football at Southern Miss, on the defensive line. Dotson was placed on injured reserve/designated for return, after suffering a knee injury in the pre-season. He started 3 of 6 games in 2015, surrendering 1 sack and committed two penalties (1 holding & 1 illegal formation). Dotson, 30, will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2016 season. A seven year veteran Dotson has allowed 20.5 sacks and committed 29 penalties during his tenure as a Buccaneer. Dotson made his Buccaneer debut against the Green Bay Packers on November 8, 2009, playing on special teams. He recorded his first NFL starts versus the New Orleans Saints on November 6, 2011. Dotson is a solid pass protector, does not have the heaviest hands and can get them caught outside the framework of defenders at times. He does not over power defenders in the run game.A former 1st round pick (17th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Gosder Cherilus, was signed as an unrestricted free agent after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts, prior to the start of the 2015 season, to replace the injured Demar Dotson, at right tackle. Cherilus played collegiately at Boston College. Cherilus started 13 of 13 games in his first season with the Buccaneers, allowing 4.5 sacks and committing 11 penalties (5 offensive holding, 4 false starts, 3 illegal formation, 1 clipping, 1 unnecessary roughness and 1 ineligible downfield pass) During his eight year NFL career Cherilus has started 113 of 117 games, allowed 43.5 sacks and committed 48 penalties. A serviceable spot starter at this point in his career, Cherilus will be an unrestricted free agent following the conclusion of the 2016 season. Cherilus is an intelligent player with diminishing skills. He lacks the quickness to kick slide to the edge and is marginal as a run blocker at this stage of his career. A reserve, back-up swing tackle, Kevin Pamphile was pressed into spot duty at guard against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. Pamphile was selected in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He made his NFL and Buccaneers debut against the Cleveland Browns on November 2, 2014. Played collegiately at the University of Purdue where he was converted from an defensive linemen to offensive left tackle and made 21 starts. He made his first career start at Carolina on December 12, 2014, serving as a tight end. Pamphile has started 4 of 23 games since entering the league. In 2015, Pamphile surrendered zero sacks and committed two penalties (1 false start & 1 holding). He has allowed three sacks and committed three penalties in his limited action. Pamphile has long arms, a heavy punch and is nibble on his feet. In his start at guard against the Jaguars he helped pave the way for a rushing attack that gained 193 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He has a very good combination of size and overall athleticism. Versatile, he can play both tackle spots, guard and has been cross training at center behind the scenes at One Buc Place. He’s a very powerful and physical player as a run blocker. Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft, by the Buccaneers Leonard Wester, of Missouri Western is a blue collar throwback to the 70’s that brings his lunch pail to work, type of player. Wester has excellent size and good strength, has decent overall athleticism and feet to play right tackle in the pros. Wester’s dad, Herb played tackle for the Iowa Hawkeye’s. Wester has demonstrated an ability to be a mauler in the run game. Wester played LT for the Griffons, making 24 straight startsThe Bucs signed Taylor Fallin to the 90-man off-season roster, after he went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. Fallin played his college football at the University of Memphis, where he made 33 starts at LT, for the Tigers. Fallin is a massive human binging, with long arms and big hands. A LT in college Fallin is better suited to play G in the pros. He does not possess nibble feet and is a heavy legged waist bender that got by in college using his massive frame and long arms. The Bucs signed Kelby Johnson to the 90-man off-season roster following the team’s rookie minicamp, in which Johnson was invited as a tryout player. Johnson played for the Louisville Cardinals, in 2015 starting one game. Johnson spent two years at the University of Virginia, then another season at ASA College in New York before transferring to Louisville before the 2014 season. Johnson is a developmental prospect with a nice combination of size and good athletic ability.
