Bucs’ Best Bets: Offensive Tackle

Bucs’ Best Bet Rounds 1-3: Houston OT Joshua Jones

It would be tempting to put Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, who might be the Bucs’ favorite offensive tackle in this class, or Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, who might be the most likely to slide down to No. 14, in here for this Bucs’ Best Bet, but we’re going with Jones, who most likely will be available when Tampa Bay is on the clock. There is a consensus opinion that Becton, Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills comprise the top four offensive tackles in this class, but there isn’t much of a fall off with Jones as the fifth tackle.

Jones is a four-year starter with the size at 6-foot-5, 319 pounds and enough athleticism to play either tackle position for the Bucs. Pro Football Focus gave Jones a 93.2 grade, which was the best ever given by PFF to a group of 5 offensive tackle. Jones is known for his pass protection ability, evidenced by just 18 pressures on 1,282 pass snaps, but it was his run blocking that took a huge step forward in 2019. PFF noted how his run blocking grade improved from 62.8 to 92.7 last year. Jones dominated at the Senior Bowl and showed that he is a nasty finisher with a mean streak. The Bucs are definitely interested in him as they interviewed him in Mobile and then again at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He could start his career at right tackle and then move to left tackle if Tampa Bay wants to move on from Donovan Smith in 2021. Watch Jones’ highlights below – he’s the left tackle No. 74. – Scott Reynolds

Bucs’ Best Bet Rounds 4-7: Louisiana-Lafayette OT Robert Hunt

Hunt might get drafted in the third round due to his talent, but he is coming off surgery for a groin injury that limited him to just seven games during his senior season. That injury kept Hunt out of the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, and could cause him to slide to the fourth round where the Bucs would pounce on him if he fell that far. At 6-foot-5, 336 pounds, Hunt has ideal size to play either right tackle or guard in the NFL, and he has a reputation for being a dominant run blocker.

Hunt started his college career at guard before moving to right tackle for his senior year where he showed he could pass protect on the edge, allowing just two pressures on 196 pass sets in 2019. Before he was hurt, Hunt earned an impressive 87.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in his seven games during his senior campaign. Hunt’s versatility should appeal to the Buccaneers, but they would be wise to give him a crack at right tackle first, where he would compete with Joe Haeg for the right to start. Watch Hunt’s highlights below – he’s the right tackle No. 50. – Scott Reynolds