Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has draft trends.
One trend is Licht has never gone two years in a row without drafting an offensive lineman. And in three different drafts, Licht has drafted two offensive linemen.
So considering Licht did not draft an offensive lineman last year — and 2024 sixth-round-pick guard Elijah Klein seems to be a bust — Joe thinks it’s a very safe bet Licht adds an offensive lineman in two weeks.
Depth on the Tampa Bay offensive line is a significant concern.
Starting right guard Cody Mauch is coming off a lost season and major knee surgery (ACL). Left guard Ben Bredeson missed six games to injury. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is a living legend but he’s missed 11 games through his six Bucs seasons. Right tackle Luke Goedeke has missed 10 games over the past two years.
The Bucs have solid backups tackles but the interior line depth is shaky.
So where will Licht turn in the draft?
Joe wonders if Licht has a thing for Oklahoma guard/center Febechi Nwaiwu.
First, Nwaiwu seems like a Licht kind of guy. The dude was a walk-on at the University of North Texas and was All-Conference USA as a freshman guard. That’s a rare feat! He also made some freshman All-American teams. As a sophomore, he was named a team captain.
Then UNT moved him to tackle. Then he went back to guard and transferred to Oklahoma. Nwaiwu thrived as a Sooners guard and made his first start at center last season — emergency duty against LSU. No problem. Sooners win. Nwaiwu proved he can play center against top competition.
At 6-4, 320 pounds, Nwaiwu has shown versatility and intelligence. And he didn’t miss a game in two seasons at Oklahoma. Perhaps he’s a fourth-round draft pick.
He’s also a model citizen. Nwaiwu won the Pat Tillman Award at the Shrine Bowl, an honor that recognizes “intelligence, sportsmanship, and service.”
Nwaiwu feels like a Licht kind of guy — underdog, team-first, all-football.
Versatile interior lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.
Lowest allowed pressure rate, 2026 NFL Draft OGs:
Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma: 0.42%
Jaeden Roberts, Alabama: 1.00%
Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame: 1.02%
Micah Morris, Georgia: 1.02%
Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon: 1.12%
Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State: 1.34%
Beau Stephens, Iowa: 1.37%
Evan… pic.twitter.com/zvm9b8sNYk
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) March 7, 2026