Bucs’ Best Bets: Offensive Tackle

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Kansas State RT Dalton Risner

Risner is a tough, physical right tackle where he was a three-year starter at Kansas State and an All-American as a senior. At 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, Risner has the size and ability to play right tackle and be a solid starter, but there are some in the scouting community that think he could be a Pro Bowl guard if he moved inside like former college tackles Brandon Scherff and Logan Mankins did.

The Bucs interviewed Risner at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine and came away impressed. Risner had good showings at both events. His 110-inch broad jump and 4.52 time in the 20-yard shuttle were among the best times recorded for any offensive lineman. Risner, who has great leadership qualities, is considered to be a late first- or early second-round pick, and could help the Bucs at either right guard or right tackle near the top of the second round. Tampa Bay offensive line coach Joe Gilbert flew to Manhattan to give Risner a private workout in April.

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Alabama State RT Tytus Howard

Howard is one of this year’s small school standouts along the offensive line. He impressed NFL scouts enough to warrant a spot at the Senior Bowl where he showed he belonged in the league by performing well against the likes of Montez Sweat and others. Howard, who has a great kick slide in pass protection, ran a 5.05 in the 40-yard dash, which helped his cause, as well as good tape against Auburn during his senior season.

Still, he needs work in an NFL weight room and shouldn’t be considered a candidate to start as a rookie. There’s a good chance that Howard, who visited One Buccaneer Place on April 8, could be drafted in the third round based on his potential, but if he’s available in the fourth round look for Tampa Bay to pounce. Another candidate to keep an eye on in the third or fourth round is Northern Illinois tackle Max Scharping, who was interviewed by the Bucs at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.