How Does He Fit?

OT Greg Robinson
Auburn

With the draft swiftly approaching, along with the start of minicamp, the Buccaneers will be exhausting all resources to figure out what they will be doing with the #7 overall pick. With a few “elite” left tackles projected to go early on, the Buccaneers have often been linked to Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews, who have battled for the top spot at the position and to be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft. Here, I will analyze Robinson’s potential fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if taken at #7.

PROS

-       Can Fill Need

o   Many mock drafts have projected Robinson to Tampa Bay because of the perception that the Buccaneers are in need of an offensive tackle, but with the signing of Anthony Collins the team, in fact, does not need a starter at offensive tackle. Collins will be bookended by the oft-overlooked and undervalued Demar Dotson, who has, in short time, become one of the better right tackles in the league. Although the Buccaneers have no immediate need at tackle, Robinson could slide inside and man one of the guard spots that are up in the air due to Carl Nicks uncertain playing status.

-       Versatility

o   While many scouts have stated that Robinson is far from a finished product as a left tackle, he played the position pretty well at Auburn. In fact, he played it well enough to put his name in the same category as Jake Matthews, and even well enough to draw comparisons to Hall of Famer Larry Allen. Also, as implied above, a team that does not believe Robinson is ready to step in as a starting LT, he should still be able to play G at a high level until moving to the outside.

-       Possible Long-term Starter

o   Scouting reports have stated that Robinson needs to work on his pass protection, which may be the reason that some have not graded him above Jake Matthews. With the current starters at G, the Buccaneers could allow Robinson to fill the need at G for a couple of years while Anthony Collins and Demar Dotson man the tackle positions. Robinson could then transition to playing LT at the pro level and, if Dotson continues to improve, could give the Buccaneers a very good, young and athletic tandem of starting tackles for the future.

CONS:

-       Possible reach at #7

o   Now, before anyone blows a gasket, let me explain. It’s not that I believe Greg Robinson the LT is s reach; however, I do believe that selecting a guard at No. 7 may be a reach. This is a very talented draft in which guards can be had in later rounds. Although it is a need for Tampa Bay, I believe there is more value in selecting a G after the first round after addressing a bigger need in the first.

Overview:

Greg Robinson is a great prospect—one who is definitely worthy of the a top 10 selection; however, with their current roster, it’s debatable as to whether Greg Robinson would be the most valuable player to the Buccaneers with their first selection. (*As a side note, I believe value in this case means a mixture of BPA and need.) With two starting tackles already, Robinson would likely be forced to play G for several years before transitioning to being the QB’s blindside protector. In that sense, the Buccaneers would be selecting a G in the top 10, which isn’t necessarily a popular move.

Despite it not being a “sexy” pick, it wouldn’t be one that would absolutely upset me, especially when considering the long-term possibilities.

“With the No. 7 selection of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select…Greg Robinson.”

How would you feel?