“This Guy Looks Like A Vet Offensive Lineman Already”
May 12th, 2026
Early praise from the Bucs offensive coordinator.
Joe loves the post-draft hype.
For the 2026 Bucs, that extends to Round 5.
New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was talking about the Bucs’ draft picks today at One Buc Palace. That included Notre Dame guard Billy Schrauth, the Bucs’ second fifth-round pick at No. 160 overall.
“Billy, his tape speaks for itself at Notre Dame,” Robinson said. “He’s played a lot of football. That showed in rookie minicamp. It’s like, ‘Man, this guy looks like a vet offensive lineman already.’
Joe likes that assessment from Robinson because when the Bucs last drafted a guard, Elijah Klein in Round 6 back in 2024, Klein never really looked like an NFL player. And that showed when he eventually got in games.
It’s early, but perhaps the Bucs found an NFL-ready backup in Schrauth.
May 12th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Can the dude stay healthy with his knee? Hopefully!
May 12th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
I hope this guy works out well for the Bucs. We need guard depth. Klein is the offensive version of Braswell and JTS.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Keep him away from the great regressor and maybe he won’t suck.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
He is a great pass protector for a fifth round pick. 213 pass reps in 2025 with no sacks and two hurries. 1,393 college total snaps with three penalties, 3 sacks and 16 total pressures.
But, he missed 4 games in 2024 with ankle injury and 5 games in 2025 with MCL strain. And, he is not a road grader or the fastest guy pulling. So, maybe he is never a starter.
But, he is a quality backup who should be able to keep Baker standing in pass pro, and that is a fifth round pick well spent.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Does anyone else keep wanting to say Schlereth (Stink)?
May 12th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Solid player. Likely second round pick if he wasn’t injured, possibly third. Great depth piece and very likely starter potential.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
I agree with his assessment, Schrauth looks like a polished lineman of the film I’ve seen of him, he seems to always have his head on a swivel looking for someone to block. I think once he acclimates himself to NFL play, hones his technique and builds a bit more muscle strength, he could become a quality starter.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Comparing a 6th round pick (Klein) to JTS and Bustwell is not fair to Klein. 6th round picks rarely turn into starters. First and second round EDGE picks are expected to get more than 1 sack a year.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
BucsFaninSeattle–I understand your point, yet I respectfully disagree.
I’m looking at the end result. Also, the “play” of Klein was downright dreadful. I would argue it was even worse than Braswell and JTS. They at least recorded meaningful sacks at one point in time lol.
Also, two years into the league, throw out the rounds. Though this is an extreme example, but no one said to Tom Brady “hey, Tom, you’re only a 6th rounder, so you aren’t expected to win any Super Bowls.” I say, why not? Drafted early, middle, or late…Drafted at all or undrafted… I say giddy up. You’re in the NFL. Let’s freaking go.
…Klein could not “freaking go.” So now, he must “freaking go.” lol as in LEAVE.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
I feel like the Klein experiment hasn’t worked out. Last year we were playing practice squad guys at guard, where was Klein? On the bench. If he were good enough to play, don’t you think we would have played him? When he was in, he got pushed around and was ineffective. I like Schruath. He has “solid backup” written all over him. Valid concerns about his injury history, but his draft grade would have been much higher if he hadn’t been hurt. Likely a higher round for him. Course we won’t find out till the pads come on and he has to try a leverage Vita Vea out of the way, lol!
May 12th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
He doesn’t look hungry enough. C’mon, Todd get him on your diet plan. There’s still time to get his weight up.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
He was a team captain, and he seems selfless. In his first presser, he seemed very vicious. It was his eyes. I expect some great things from him if he can avoid injury.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Spot on about Klein (but in Jason & O-Line specifically, I always give benefit of the doubt still). Also prrfrct name to invoke here for this article. Applaud!
May 12th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
love to hear this!!!!
we’re going to need him with Mauch hobbled
GO BUCS!!!!
May 12th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Depth is where ya find it
May 12th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Notice the “C” badge on his jersey. JL loves those character guys.
May 12th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Hopefully don’t look like Tarzan play like Jane
May 12th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
He looks small to me.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
6’5″ and 313 lbs looks small to you Teacherman? Nost Bucs fans would disagree. You must be a man mountain.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
Joe the reason Klien didn’t look like an NFL linemen is because he isn’t. All the injuries we had at guard, he couldn’t crack the lineup. Doubt he makes the team this season.
May 12th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
If he can keep his legs healthy, he may be able to work into a premium backup. Big men with bad legs will not work in achieving success in this league.
I sure hope that the organization is focusing on training and health this season. A repeat of last season’s injury debacle should be incomprehensible for Buc’s management and coaching teams this season.