2016 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Edition
By Jon Dove
Aug 30, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) waits between plays during the game agains the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is a complete mess—especially after the injury to Demar Dotson. They head into the second week of the preseason with two rookie starters one of which at the all-important left tackle position.
Donovan Smith has plenty of experience at left tackle thanks to his time at Penn State, but his career featured a lot of highs and lows. He has a tendency to lose focus and allow pressure on the quarterback. Smith also doesn’t have the most fluid movement skills making him a better fit for right tackle or guard.
Tampa Bay needs to protect their most important asset, Jameis Winston, which is why targeting a true left tackle early in the 2016 draft must be a priority.
Next: No. 6 San Francisco 49ers