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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on in the third quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on in the third quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 27: Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 27: Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2. Shore up the offensive line

Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Tampa Bay’s offensive front as the seventh-best unit in the league and went out of his way to praise two-thirds of the interior of this group:

"Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet anchored the middle of this Buccaneers’ offensive line and provided some of the best pass protection that we saw from any interior offensive line this season. The guard and center positions for the Bucs combined for an 80.4 pass-blocking grade this season, ranking second among all offenses around the league. Dating back to 2015, Marpet has the 12th-highest overall grade among 55 guards with 2,500-plus snaps."

But that doesn’t mean all is well with this area. There are question marks at the tackle spots, with right side blocker Demar Dotson (71.0) and five-year pro Donovan Smith (70.8) ranking 32nd and 33rd, respectively, on PFF’s tackle rankings.

The former earned higher marks as a run blocker, the latter in pass protection. But both hand their hands in the team allowing 47 sacks this past season. And right guard Alex Cappa, a 13-game starter in ’19, had his own issues.

Of course, it’s not as if the cupboard is bare as Jensen and Marpet lead the way. But the team needs better play at the outside spots. Could versatile Joe Haeg help? He could be the team’s new right tackle as Dotson remains an unrestricted free agent.

Next: No. 1

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