Position Group: Offensive Line
Players: Donovan Smith, Nick Leverett, Ryan Jensen, Robert Hainsey, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Aaron Stinnie (Reserve/Injured), Brandon Walton, Luke Goedeke, John Molchon, Josh Wells (Reserve/Injured), Dylan Cook (Reserve/Future), Grant Hermanns (Reserve/Future), Michael Niese (Reserve/Future), Justin Skule (Reserve/Future)
2022 Evaluation: The Buccaneers concluded the 2022 season ranked 15th in total offense (346.7), last in rush offense (76.9), second in pass offense (324.3) and first in sacks allowed (22.0). Tampa Bay often fell behind early, which dictated the flow of games and led to a pass-heavy script for Tom Brady and company. The offense was predicated on the play of the men in the trenches. Brady’s 751 pass attempts in 2022 were the most in a single season in NFL history and the unit’s 22 sacks allowed, graded as the fifth-fewest in team history.
Tampa Bay underwent significant changes on the offensive line in 2022. Ali Marpet, the club’s Pro Bowl left guard, retired and right guard Alex Cappa signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Both were stabilizing forces on the line that had to be replaced. Shuffling along the line ensued at the outset of the year. On the second day of Training Camp at the AdventHealth Training Center, starting center Ryan Jensen suffered a significant knee injury. He later disclosed the details of the injury as three ligament tears, multiple fractures and a meniscus injury following the Wild Card matchup versus Dallas. Traditionally, that would be a setback that would take nine months or longer to recover from but roughly six months later, Jensen made his highly-anticipated return against the Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs – a testament to his resilience, toughness and commitment. He played 80 snaps in the game and showed no signs of limitation, bolstering the offensive line.
Second-year pro Robert Hainsey was then thrust into action at center, playing 97 percent of the team’s offensive snaps (100% during the regular season). On 1,175 snaps played, Hainsey racked up just two penalties and did not allow a sack according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). The Bucs drafted Hainsey in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. Hainsey was a four-year starter at right tackle, but his length and base made him an ideal fit for the interior of the line at center/guard. At the Senior Bowl, he was dominant at both center and guard. The Bucs moved Hainsey inside and…
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