This offseason, for the third year in a row and the fourth time in the last five years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used a top-60 draft pick on an offensive lineman who is widely expected to be a starter in Week One of his rookie season. The first three did indeed capture starting jobs to begin their NFL careers; the latest on the list is 2024 first-round pick Graham Barton, who could be running with the first team at center when the Buccaneers training camp kicks off next week.
If Barton does indeed grab one of the five O-Line jobs, he would join 2020 first-round pick Tristan Wirfs (left tackle), 2022 second-round pick Luke Goedeke (right tackle) and 2023 second-round pick Cody Mauch (right guard) in the starting lineup. That leaves left guard as the least certain outcome, with a handful of competitors battling to join the above four. One of those is below, as are two of the projected starters as our series of Camp Goals articles reaches the players wearing jersey numbers in the 60s.
As a team, the Buccaneers will use training camp and the three-game preseason slate to make 53-man roster decisions and install their offensive and defensive schemes. As individuals, the 91 men who are preparing to report to camp will have their own goals based on their experience, positions and relative spots on the depth chart. We're taking a look at what those individual goals may be for each player on the roster in jersey number sets of 10. There isn't much variety in today's group, as every man currently wearing a 60s jersey for the Buccaneers is an offensive lineman of some sort.
View the pictures & people of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2024 schedule release.
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 07, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Lee Roy Selmon in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Ronde Barber during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 29, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Rob Gronkowski during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 17, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 01, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Gerald McCoy during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Ronde Barber during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 13, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 18, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Ronde Barber during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 13, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 19, 2024 - Buccaneers fan and Krewe Member Anthony Parrino with a piece of the goal post from the Buccaneers 1979 season during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 18, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 16, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Martin Gramatica during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots of the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 29, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Rob Gronkowski during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 01, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Gerald McCoy during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 17, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 19, 2024 - Buccaneers fan and Krewe Member Anthony Parrino with a piece of the goal post from the Buccaneers 1979 season during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Ronde Barber during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 29, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Rob Gronkowski during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 18, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 01, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Gerald McCoy during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 30, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 18, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 16, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Martin Gramatica during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 17, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks during an interview in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 02, 2024 - Detail shots in the art studio for 2024 Schedule Release at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#60 G Xavier Delgado: Delgado is one of two offensive linemen the Bucs signed as undrafted rookies this spring (a third, tackle Lorenz Metz, saw time with the Bears last summer), and that's the type of prospect the Buccaneers are always looking to keep around in some way for further development. Last year, for instance, the Bucs started the season with three undrafted rookie linemen on their practice squad in Silas Dzansi, Luke Haggard and Raiqwon O'Neal. It's a very good way for a lesser-known prospect to get his career starter; O'Neal, for instance, was signed off the Bucs' practice squad to the Seahawks' active roster and even appeared in three games last season. Delgado played left guard at Missouri and started a whopping 58 games over six years in Columbia, and in 2023 he was an anchor on one of the best blocking units in the nation. As he should, Delgado will surely come to camp hoping he can impress enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but a reasonable secondary goal would be to demonstrate the sort of potential the Buccaneers would like to cultivate on the practice squad.
#61 T Silas Dzansi: As noted above, Dzansi was one of three undrafted rookie lineman who were impressive enough during last year's training camp to land Week One spots on the Bucs' practice squad. In Dzansi's case, however, his development hit a speed bump when an undisclosed injury pushed him to practice squad injured reserve for six weeks in the second half of the season. He did eventually return to the practice field and was even elevated to the active roster for the Divisional Playoff contest in Detroit, though he was then named an inactive for the game. So Dzansi comes into his second NFL training camp looking to take the next step and potentially earn a reserve spot on the active roster. A good example would be Nick Leverett, who spent his 2020 rookie season on the Bucs' practice squad, then made the active roster as a reserve in 2021 and eventually moved into the starting lineup in 2023. At 6-5 and 335 pounds, Dzansi has size on his side, and he played four different positions on the line during his collegiate career. The Buccaneers' coaching staff prizes versatility in its reserve linemen, so a worthwhile camp goal for Dzansi would be to show that he can hold his own at multiple spots.
#62 C Graham Barton: Again, Barton is the odds-on favorite to be the starting center when the regular season begins, and if he does indeed open camp as part of the first-team line his overarching goal would be to make sure he maintains that spot all the way up to Week One. Barton has a lot on his plate as he makes the transition from Duke to the NFL because he played left tackle for the Blue Devils for the past three seasons, so learning the nuances of playing the pivot will be a key focus, too. In a more specific sense, Barton will need to confirm that he can handle the mental rigors of the center position, as he will be called on to recognize defensive alignments and help quarterback Baker Mayfield make any necessary adjustments. That is particularly true this summer because new defensive coordinator Liam Coen plans to arm the huddle with multiple play-call options, which puts more responsibility on Mayfield and Barton to get the offense into the most favorable positions.
#66 G Avery Jones: Like Delgado, Jones signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in May. He finished his college career with one season at Auburn, hoping to improve his draft stock by playing against stronger competition after starting for three seasons at East Carolina. Jones stepped right into the Tigers' starting center job, the same position he played in 2021 and 2022 for the Pirates, but he also previously saw action at guard for ECU. At 6-4 and 307 pounds, Jones has the size to play any of the three interior line positions and he has excelled in wide zone and gap scheme rushing attacks. Presumably, Jones will have the same camp goals as Delgado, trying to prove that his skills and versatility can translate to the NFL level and that he is a prospect worth developing for the long run.
#67 G Luke Goedeke: Few players on the Bucs' roster made as big of a career leap in 2023 as Goedeke did. After the Bucs initially tried to make him a left guard in his 2022 rookie season following his selection in the second round of the draft, he was given a shot to move back to his collegiate position of right tackle. The move was an instant hit, as Goedeke outperformed expectations and allowed former All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs to move to the left side. There should be no question that Goedeke will hold onto that starting spot in his third season, but he will certainly be looking to continue improving his game through the rigors of training camp and the preseason. Goedeke was particularly strong when pass blocking, as Pro Football Focus gave him the eighth best grade among NFL right tackles in that category. However, the Buccaneers' rushing game was lacking and Coen is determined to get that part of the Bucs' offense back on track. So one of Goedeke's primary goals for the preseason likely aligns with that of the entire O-Line unit: Get better results from the ground game.
#68 G Ben Bredeson: As noted above, the one spot on the Bucs' starting offensive line that seems wide open for competition this summer is left guard. That position was split last season between Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie, and neither are back with the Buccaneers this season. Tampa Bay signed two potential options for that job in free agency, grabbing Bredeson from the Giants and Sua Opeta from the Eagles. The camp goal for Bredeson seems straightforward: Win that left guard spot by Week One. Of the potential competitors for the job – which likely would include Opeta, rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Klein and last year's starting center, Robert Hainsey – Bredeson has the most experience at that position. He started 25 games for New York at left guard, including 16 last season. Again, the Bucs' number-one goal on offense in 2024 is to build a more effective rushing attack, so if Bredeson can show strength at the point of attack and the ability to move defenders, he will help his chances of earning the starting nod.
#69 G Cody Mauch: After a debut NFL campaign in which he started all 17 games at right guard and had the ups and downs one would expect from a rookie lineman – especially one changing positions and transitioning from a small-school program – Mauch knew what he needed to do in 2024: Get bigger and stronger. That was a primary focus for him during the offseason, and now it is time to demonstrate that those gains will translate into a step forward in his game, particularly in terms of run blocking. Mauch played his college ball at North Dakota State and was primarily a left tackle, where he earned 37 of his 39 career starts. The Bucs have had success with turning small-school tackles into high-level guards in the past with the likes of Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa, and they believe Mauch can be just as successful given his nimble feet, all-around athleticism, every-snap tenacity and intelligence. Marpet ended his career as a Pro Bowler and Cappa was good enough to land a lucrative free agency deal with the Bengals after the Bucs' 2020 Super Bowl season. Mauch will be looking to forge the same sort of career trajectory as he heads into his second NFL camp with a frame more equipped to handle powerful defenders.
