Bucs Grab A Guard
April 27th, 2024
UTEP G Elijah Klein.
Offensive line was still on the mind of a former Nebraska offensive lineman who now runs the Bucs draft.
The Bucs drafted UTEP guard Elijah Klein with the 220th pick in the NFL draft, the final selection of Round 6.
Joe hasn’t watched a UTEP game in a while and hasn’t seen this Klein play. Klein is a big guy at 6-4, 319. A right guard at UTEP, Klein started all 12 games last year and was honorable mention All-Conference USA. He’s also played left guard.
Klein helped the Miners gain 159.4 rushing yards a game. UTEP also led the C-USA with an average time of possession at 33:34. So it sounds as if Klein might just be a road grader.
.@UTEPFB @ElijahKlein79 has game experience; versatility; length; good raw strength; and he enjoys hitting people. And Tuff. Who doesnt love Elijah Klein??? Look forward to watching him at the next level. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/SLElGxkTCm
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 16, 2024
April 27th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
or Center?
April 27th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Sounds like a project but I trust Licht’s judgement.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:01 pm
Well he was projected to be a fifth rounder so we got value on him. 🙏 that he develops into a great player
April 27th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Let’s hope he hates baseball. Everyone knows what a problem that can be.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Guard depth and competition. Good to see. From what I read, he’s a mauler in the run but needs work with pass protection.
Addressed the Oline interior, CB (nickel S), WR, & an edge rusher.
Love it.
I am worried about ILB.
LVD is still great but not sure Britt has the necessary speed.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Small school O Lineman. Who could’ve seen this coming!
April 27th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
How many Guards do we have?……..’
This guy must have been high on their board…….I would have thought picking a PR/KR may have been possible there.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
…or a Mormon DEI hire?
April 27th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Did the Bucs think their OL was a problem.
Well lets see. Let two guys walk out the door that it would have taken peanuts to re-sign.
Picked up two new guys in free agency and picked up two more in the draft.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
At this point, most picks are a project.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
I’d love this draft if Jason didn’t select so many injury prone players.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Perhaps a LB.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
If you are an undrafteed ILB, Tampa is the place to be.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Where are we with cap space? I’m sure they will be looking for linebacker once others get their rosters set.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
No Quarterbacks so.Baker does not feel threataned.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
That was great tape by Baldy. He was blocking two defenders at one point hopefully he becomes our starter.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Everything about this guy screams Center.
I hope so. Want our 1st round pick playing left Guard, next to Wirfs
April 27th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Hmmm… no idea who is left out there at this point, but generally feel like 6th 7th round is for special teams guys/ lottery tickets. LB, WR, TE, RB, CB … those types but anyway, Bucs clearly wanted to upgrade the OL this year and there is a lot of camp competition there now.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Two non-tackles drafted by Licht… WOW!
Although both guys are guys that have literally played every position on the line from what I’ve read.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Won’t know about cap until Wirfs and Winfield contracts get reworked.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Hopefully there are some decent LBs cut loose to add later. Better than relying on rookies there.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Love a player like this – – just itching to hit. Anybody with a different jersey.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
white boy hurt ppls too!
Giddy up!
more dough for the cookin
April 27th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
For the 220th pick looks like a very good pick. Will have to wait until I see more stats and info but seem to be good for depth for the Bucs
April 27th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Loved his introduction streamed online. You can tell how excited he was to be a buc and to hit people in the trenches! He’s what I think of as a big ugly in the trenches!
April 27th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
There were 4 NEEDS that I felt we absolutely had to address in this draft: (1) Center; (2) Edge; (3) ILB; and (4) RB.
Liking the Graham pick more & more; more than likely he’s our new starter at Center (easy to forget though that he hasn’t played that position since his freshman year).
Bama’s my college team, so I’ve seen Chris Braswell play quite a bit these past couple years. He’s got good size, has excellent speed & should do well in Bowles’ defense. Might take a half season or so however to unseat JTS.
I’m still bewildered by the two 3rd Rnd picks admittedly. I was sure that we’d grab a ILB & a bull RB, but instead we grab a Nickel & a slot WR. Not especially confident in our ILB or RB position groups right now. Hope that doesn’t come back to bite us in the proverbial arse this season.
April 27th, 2024 at 7:16 pm
Defense Rules, agree 100%
April 27th, 2024 at 8:08 pm
Meh. Looks like a Center. Hainsey college tape was WAY BETTER and he played for a legit team.
April 27th, 2024 at 8:14 pm
I never expected that we could fill every need in this draft. I trust that Light has something up his sleeve regarding our remaining team weaknesses.
Picking up a veteran from another team cut loose following a draft pick is my guess. I myself would have went a different direction regarding a couple of mid round draft picks, but I don’t pretend to be as smart at player evaluation as Light and crew.
I believe he played this draft quite well, allowing the picks to come to him instead of trying to maneuver and give up picks in the process. Next year‘s draft should be a totally different story. As we will be a much more complete team next year, I see him maneuvering in the draft to get specific players that he wants.
April 27th, 2024 at 8:27 pm
Utep is in my home town f yeah
April 27th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
Love this pick
April 27th, 2024 at 9:47 pm
Sometimes you go to the store and there doesn’t seem like they have much you can really use and Sometimes they have so much you regret not getting more than you bought.
Looks like a good day at the store to me.
April 28th, 2024 at 11:13 am
Go look at Licht’s history regarding late round pics. He’s no dipsh1t. Now, UDFA time!
April 29th, 2024 at 9:57 am
Would not be surprised to see Mauch split camp reps at C and RG with Klien getting some reps at RG. Barton will double at LG and C. I think this Only because Jason said he likes Mauch for a center, and this gives us more options to find the best 5 on the O line. Barton can play guard or center. Hainsey is in this mix as well. The three interior spots are truly a camp competition. We can even include the two FA signings in it.
Go Bucs!