ROUND 3: LSU G Damien Lewis
6-2, 327 – Senior – 5.24

PREVIOUS PICK: Florida State RB Cam Akers
Lewis returns to the PewterReport.com mock draft as a third-round pick, which is a round higher than we originally had him in our third edition. Bucs general manager Jason Licht continues to fortify the team’s ground game with Lewis, and floods the offensive line position with his second lineman in the team’s first three picks following the selection of tackle Josh Jones in the first round.

Lewis has second-round talent, but his lack of ideal height, short arms (33 inches) and slow 40-yard dash time might drive his stock from Day 2 into the early part of Day 3. Davis spent two seasons at LSU as a JUCO transfer and played a vital role in helping the Tigers win a national championship to cap off an undefeated season.

Turn on any highlight tape of LSU star running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and you’ll see the top SEC rusher running behind Lewis, who is known for putting defensive linemen and linebackers on their backs in the run game. Lewis is a powerful road-grader with a solid, compact frame and a great initial punch. Lewis and center Lloyd Cushenberry II were the keys to LSU’s inside power running game and helped Edwards-Helaire rush for 1,413 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019, while averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Lewis, who had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, was a late add to the Senior Bowl and really showed well in the 1-on-1 pass pro drills, as well as the run blocking assignments in practice and in the game. He’s more of a phone booth right guard than he as a pulling guard due to his lack of ideal speed and quickness. But Lewis has enough range to blast straight ahead and get to the second level and trap linebackers.

While the Bucs were pleased with the progress and development of Alex Cappa, a former third-round offensive tackle who converted to guard, an addition like Lewis would only strengthen the right guard position as it’s possible that Lewis could unseat Cappa for the starting job during his rookie year. Either way, selecting Lewis adds another quality interior lineman to Tampa Bay’s roster, and at worst, bolsters the team’s depth.

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