Bucs Draft 2023 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: Gs

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2023 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Adam Slivon continues the previews with the offensive guard position, with a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need. Slivon also provides a detailed list of this year’s top offensive guards. In addition, Scott Reynolds offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely offensive guard for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Guard

There are many options and question marks at both guard spots. The Bucs have plenty of guards with experience, but determining who starts at each spot may very well carry on into training camp and the preseason. With the trade of Shaq Mason to the Texans this offseason, right guard has become just as big of a hole as left guard.

The Bucs are not devoid of talent that they can plug in, but none of the options are considered locks to start. Nick Leverett returns after signing his exclusive rights contract for another season, presumably at left guard. He filled in there for the struggling Luke Goedeke from Week 8 onward last season and played as well as one could hope.

For Goedeke, he did disappoint last season, but after spending a second-round pick on him last year, the team will not give up hope just yet. He could factor in at right guard this season after playing right tackle in college.

Another option is Matt Feiler, the newest addition to the team. Feiler has experience all across the line, but his latest work comes at the left guard spot. In the past three seasons from 2020-2022, he has had 46 starts at the position playing for the Steelers and Chargers. The team will have to decide where he fits in best.

Moving over to the right guard spot, two projected options include Robert Hainsey and the returning Aaron Stinnie. Hainsey is a versatile player along the offensive line, starting in the NFL as a tackle, making the transition to center last season, and still being agile enough to play at guard in 2023 as Ryan Jensen is going to be back healthy. Having a full season under his belt at center, he may have the inside track to claiming a starting guard spot.

Stinnie is another starting candidate, as he returned to the Bucs as a free agent after missing all of last season with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. He is a wildcard but another hat to throw in the race. Like Feiler, he could slot in at either guard spot, but after filling in for right guard Alex Cappa during the 2020 playoffs, he may be better suited on that side.

What The Bucs Need At Guard

The Bucs need starting-caliber play. That means determining that of the five mentioned players, two are able to start in 2023 and at least be average starters. The Bucs could talk their way into believing that as the younger players improve and there is enough experience to back them up.

Leverett, Hainsey, and Goedeke are each still developing, and after each getting the first NFL starts of their career last season, there is optimism that they can learn and grow from it. If one were to falter, Feiler and Stinnie are on deck to come in and batten down the hatches. Feiler has 73 career starts, and while Stinnie only has four counting the playoffs, he has also been on the team longer than any offensive lineman not named Ryan Jensen.

The Bucs truly need the confidence that they have two starting guards on the roster. If they do not see that as the case, they may look to add to the room in the 2023 NFL Draft. While drafting one at No. 19 looks unlikely, there are plenty of intriguing options further down the draft board.

Top Guards In The 2023 Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence— Senior — 6-5, 330 — 5.31

Torrence transferred to Florida last season to reunite with Billy Napier, his college coach for three seasons at Louisana. With the Gators, he was tasked with protecting one of the most athletic quarterback prospects of all time in Anthony Richardson. Torrence’s own play boosted his draft stock into first-round consideration.

Torrence is a big-time prospect in a guard class that lacks top-end talent. If he keeps his matchup in front of him, opposing defensive linemen struggle greatly to get by. Some of his best film last season was against Georgia’s Jalen Carter, a projected top pick in this year’s class. As a guard, he profiles with longer arms than a typical guard at 33 7/8 inches, which he utilizes to create balance, generate movement, and keep opposing defenders at bay. If his arms latch on, he is very hard to break away from. He also plays disciplined, as per Pro Football Focus; he was penalty-free last season.

Torrence definitely has the size and experience (47 starts over four seasons), but does he have the athleticism? That is the biggest concern for him at the next level. Of the guards listed here, Oregon’s T.J. Bass was the only one who clocked slower in the 40-yard dash. While he won’t be running that far downfield, athletic rushers playing inside and off the edge dominate the modern NFL landscape. His biggest knock is his lack of true acceleration getting to the second level and being able to mirror rushers and adjust to various stunts.

He is a mauler, especially in the run game. Referencing PFF once more, of the 639 guards they tracked, he was the highest-ranked guard overall and tied for first in run-blocking at 89.9. He may not be the best fit for the wide zone scheme the Bucs will be implementing next season, but there is a reason why Torrence is highly regarded. He looks the part of a future starter and his name is expected to be called between the late first round to the early second round.

2. TCU G Steve Avila — Senior — 6-3, 332 — 5.21

TCU G Steve Avila – Photo by: USA Today

Avila was a team captain for TCU last season as they made it all the way to the National Championship game against Georgia. He showed why he was selected for captainship, as even when the team was down 65-7, a viral clip of him still shoving defensive linemen to the ground demonstrates his high motor and passion.

That carries over to his play consistently playing from the snap to the whistle. He has advanced lateral footwork and is able to move his body into favorable positions for someone who weighs in at 332 pounds. He can shuffle his feet too much before setting, but he displays enough power and proper hand placement to prevent opposing rushers from breaking blocks.

At the point of attack, it is rare to see someone push him into the backfield and like Torrence, he did not allow a single sack in 2022. He is mobile and versatile but not the most explosive. During his college career, he lined up across the line at every spot besides left tackle, and his most starts were at center, not guard. Still, after playing last season at left guard, he profiles best there at the next level.

3. North Dakota State G Cody Mauch — Senior — 6-5, 302 — 5.08

“A hockey player on turf.” That is what one NFL analyst made of Mauch’s looks. A favorite of fans and evaluators alike this draft cycle, Mauch is missing his two front teeth and has long red hair, similar to Bucs tight end Ko Kieft. His appearance matches who he is on the turf: being a tough player.

He has a unique background, having grown up on a farm in North Dakota. He walked on to North Dakota State and, after gaining weight, moved to the offensive line. Previously a tight end in high school and entering college, Mauch has plenty of athleticism and uses his quick feet to shut down edge rushers. It is easy to spot his attacking play on the field getting to the second level, which he seemingly enjoys as he bowls over anyone in his way.

North Dakota State G Cody Mauch – Photo by: USA Today

Weighing in just slightly over 300 pounds, he will not be able to bring guys down to the ground as easily as he did throughout college. As well as this, there are concerns about being relatively raw at the position after only getting starts at tackle halfway into his six-year college career.

Playing at North Dakota State, one has to consider the level of competition he has played. In terms of his physical profile, he is leaner than stout and must continue adding strength and weight. While there are legitimate weaknesses for Mauch, there is also plenty to like. While he was a tackle in college, moving him inside at guard in the NFL makes a lot of sense. His unique athleticism makes him a zone run scheme fit, and he has the ability to steer blocks and open up lanes.

4. NC State G Chandler Zavala — Senior — 6-3, 316— 5.20

Zavala has risen up draft boards later in the evaluation process after an impressive pro day. Zavala has a sturdy build to him and a strong frame. One highlight of his play is his footwork in directing blocks and also picking up new assignments throughout the duration of plays.

Besides his footwork, he positions and mirrors himself well. While he functionally looks the part, there are some concerns about his medical history and fit in the NFL. Teams will have to consider the back injury he suffered in 2021 as well as his true ceiling as a player. He can be slow getting off the snap and reacting to secure blocks. Can he become a long-term starter at the next level? He may still need time to develop and is already 24.

5. Alabama G Tyler Steen — Senior — 6-6, 321 — N/A

Steen gained a lot of buzz for his Senior Bowl week performance, where he lined up across the offensive line and, in doing so, made seamless transitions. He made 46 starts between left and right tackle in his college career and was the starting left tackle for Alabama last season. While he was a tackle in college, he has a lot of traits to like as a guard in the NFL.

He is durable and strong and has great lower-body movement. When defenders rush toward him at full speed, he can properly slow them down and engage his hands. Going through reps, he is able to process and time his attack and not allow rushers to get by without wearing them down. His footwork and lateral quickness are above average, but some noticeable issues exist.

He can get pushed back quickly as his foundation is shaky. He often has to re-attach his punch and point of contact, which can make him more unbalanced. It was not an issue in Mobile, AL, but against more advanced NFL rushers, he may find himself in disadvantageous positions. For his versatility, his floor is as a depth lineman who can move around where needed. He stands to benefit from NFL coaching, but when he has his feet under him he looks the part of a capable starter.

Best Of The Rest

6. LSU G Anthony Bradford — Junior — 6-4, 332 — 5.08

At this point in the prospect list, there are more players who profile as initial backups than Day 1 starters. Bradford fits that description for being raw and needing more time to hone his skills. Bradford only had 17 starts throughout his college career, with 12 at right guard and five at right tackle.

At 6-4, 332, he is a big lineman who has the size and strength for a power run scheme. Some positives to his game include his run-blocking ability and mashing defenders one-on-one. He is an anchor on an offensive line, but that comes with some weaknesses. Despite a 5.08 40-yard time, he lacks the range and lateral quickness to deal with moving targets. He is explosive off the snap and can push and drive, but he will need to harness his potential and continue to learn movement and technique.

7. Alabama G Emil Ekiyor — Senior — 6-2, 314 — N/A

Starting on the opposite side of Steen at Alabama last season was Ekiyor. He was a three-year starter for them at right guard and gained 40 starts playing against top opponents. With this experience, one can tell he plays consistently and does not panic. Instead, he offers plenty of toughness and is not afraid to throw himself in harm’s way to take blocks and hits up the middle. He can pull and move his frame around with control and, when not engaged, often looks to take on assignments.

While he has toughness, he could use some seasoning to increase his relative strength. Against bigger rushers he can get pushed back, and while guards can usually pump some iron in the weight room, he had only 23 bench press reps and chose not to take part in further athletic drills.

He has NFL-ready awareness, but to take the next step as a starter, he needs to improve in terms of strength and footwork when standing his ground.

8. Clemson G Jordan McFadden— Senior — 6-2, 303 — 4.99

McFadden is another prospect who has plenty of experience in a bigger program. Logging 39 starts for Clemson at both left and right tackle, there is no concern about his readiness. McFadden is an athletic prospect who gets to the second level and helps to clear lanes for the running back downfield. He does a solid enough job to keep the defender in front of him while using his hands to gain leverage and pin. From a leadership standpoint, being a team captain under Dabo Swinney is no small feat.

When looking at his frame, one notes that he is lean and barely reaches the 300-pound threshold. As well as this, while he profiles as a guard, he did not have a start there at the college level. This is the case for other prospects, but they typically have more transferable traits to go inside. While he is athletic enough, he gets pushed or brushed aside easily and that would be more pronounced against more physical, older players. He has the skills in his toolbox to function as a versatile lineman, but the biggest key will be improving his technique and adding more muscle.

9. Eastern Michigan G Sidy Sow — Senior — 6-4, 323 — 5.07

Sow has an intriguing background. Born in Quebec, he entered the United States after being a top CFL prospect. He started 55 games throughout his college career at Eastern Michigan, primarily as a left guard.

He has the playing experience but also the size. There is no question he has the strength to play left guard, but he did look heavy on tape and at the NFL Combine when asked to change direction. While he has power, he often uses it over his footwork which makes for spotty angles and placement. Sow is a developmental prospect on Day 3 who has the fundamental traits to be an interior NFL lineman.

10. Chattanooga G McClendon Curtis — Senior — 6-5, 324 — 5.24

Chattanooga G McClendon Curtis – Photo by: USA Today

Curtis pulls well at the line and always looks to get in on the action. With 35-inch arms, he has more than enough length and wingspan to redirect and steer blocks. He can cover the gaps well in pass protection, but in run lanes, opposing defensive linemen have shown they can outmuscle him.

He can push and pull but is not the smoothest at striking and staying coordinated. It will take time to bring him along to the next level, but with his size and athleticism, the traits are there to mold and develop him with the right coaching.

11. UCLA G Jon Gaines II — Senior — 6-4, 303 — 5.01

Versatility is a big part of Gaines’s game. While mainly a right guard at UCLA, he sprinkled in starts at center (3) as well as a game apiece at left guard and right tackle. Like UCLA and NFL Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, Gaines even tried his hand at shot put.

Watching Gaines play, one notes his athleticism and the feel he has to switch and move around toward where the action is. His hand placement is the main knock to his game, leading to sliding off blocks. He lacks the leverage to dominate his matchup truly, but he has the quickness and intelligence (31 on ACT and graduated in only three years) to learn from coaches quickly.

12. Ole Miss G Nick Broeker — Senior — 6-4, 305 — 5.27

Broeker does not jump off the page, but he is a well-rounded prospect. He pushes his opponents forward with ease and drives them to the ground. When on a defender, his hand placement makes this possible. One criticism of his hands is being wide at the snap, which lowers his win rate. He can recover and takes proper angles, but he also chases out blocks leaving gaps for rushers to attack. He has plenty of starts under his belt, but due to his size, he looks to be more of a backup.

13. USC G Andrew Vorhees — Senior — 6-6, 310 — N/A

USC G Andrew Vorhees – Photo by: USA Today

Andrew Vorhees has the last name of the popular horror film character, and his presence along the line may scare opposing rushers away. He stands tall at 6-foot-6 and logged an impressive 38 reps on the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine despite tearing his right ACL beforehand.

He has started a nearly even amount of games at left and right guard (23 to 20), and some of his strengths include resetting and defending against countermoves. He also has a wide base in pass protection and can absorb contact without losing much leverage.

In terms of his weaknesses in his game, he tends to lean forward too much, allowing athletic rushers to get by him. His medical history is the biggest red flag. While he has the talent to be a Day 2 player, he will likely slip into Day 3.

14. Shepherd G Joey Fisher — Senior — 6-4, 296 — 4.97

Unlike many of the guard prospects, Joey Fisher is not a Division I prospect. Instead, he spent his college career at Shepherd and was tasked with protecting quarterback Tyson Bagent as a right tackle. Both Fisher and Bagent went to the Senior Bowl together but Fisher was unable to participate due to injury. Instead, he had to flash his abilities at his pro day, which he did.

He put up an impressive 40 reps on the bench press and clocked 4.97 for his 40 time. He establishes leverage and connection quickly and has strong hands when driving blocks. His silly strength allowed him to plop defenders to the ground with ease, and watching his film, he stacked up pancakes. This is a key trait, but his lack of length and size is concerning. He only has 32-inch arms and weighs under 300 pounds, making him a likely guard. His age is concerning for a draft prospect; he is already 25 and will be 26 in November. Playing at the Division II level will also not aid his case.

Regardless, he overcame all of this to get onto the NFL radar, and whether he is a late-round draft pick or a priority undrafted free agent, he has the chance to realize his dream.

15. Oregon G T.J. Bass — Senior — 6-4, 317 — 5.48

T.J. Bass is a versatile lineman who played plenty of snaps both at left tackle and left guard with the Ducks. He brings toughness and physicality to the offensive line, and his hand-timing allows him to generate movement.

When getting driven, he struggles to reset and lacks the lateral ability to adjust his movement. This could mean trouble when redirecting blocks, but he has the awareness, control, and finish ability to be a useful depth option.

Bucs’ Best Bets: Guards

Bucs Best Bet Rounds 1-3: North Dakota State G Cody Mauch

The Bucs are no strangers to drafting small school offensive linemen (Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa), long-haired offensive linemen (Cappa) and favoring red-headed gingers (Ryan Jensen, Ko Kieft). North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch is a small-school, long-haired ginger who is a mauler in the run game. Mauch started 37 games at left tackle for the Bison and two at right tackle, although his NFL future is likely at guard due to his shorter-than-ideal arm length (32 3/8).

Mauch is an ass-kicker as a run-blocker with great movement ability, but really needs work in pass protection. He has an inconsistent punch and tends to get off balance and lunge too often. His tenacity and effort as a blocker jumps off the tape and he fits the physical style of play the Bucs like in offensive linemen. Tampa Bay had success drafting Cappa in the third round years ago, and Mauch could be a developmental guard or center in the same vein.

Bucs Best Bet Rounds 4-7: Chattanooga G McClendon Curtis

At nearly 6-foot-6, 324 pounds, Curtis is a big, strong, physical guard. With 30 starts at right guard, seven starts at left tackle and one start at left guard, Curtis brings plenty of experience to the table. He’ll turn 24 this year so he has a good deal of maturity and is described as a high-character leader with a 4.0 GPA. He fared well at the Senior Bowl, but will need some time to adjust to the NFL.

Curtis is a Bucs type, as he’s physical and nasty, especially in the run game. He’s adept at pulling and playing in a wide zone run scheme, so he’s a good fit in Tampa Bay. He has strong hands and with 35-inch arms he can lock out in pass protection, although he needs some time to develop in that area. Jason Licht has hit on every offensive lineman he’s drafted in the first three rounds, but has whiffed on Day 3. Selecting Curtis in the fifth round could change that draft scorecard.