{"id":60123,"date":"2019-03-05T15:18:30","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T20:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=60123"},"modified":"2021-03-14T15:53:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T19:53:18","slug":"tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-left-tackle-donovan-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/03\/05\/tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-left-tackle-donovan-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Buccaneers Re-Sign Left Tackle Donovan Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> have signed left tackle Donovan Smith<\/a><\/strong> to a three-year deal.<\/p>\n

According to NFL Network<\/a>\u2019s Mike Garafolo<\/strong> and ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter<\/strong>, the contract is worth $41.5 million and contains $27 million in guaranteed money.<\/p>\n

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The #Buccaneers<\/a> have reached agreement on a three-year, $41.25 million deal with LT Donovan, Smith, source says. He gets $27 million fully guaranteed. Team and Smith avoid the franchise tag. He sticks in Tampa.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 5, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign Donovan Smith<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The deal locks up the blindside protector of Buccaneers quarterbacks Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong> and Ryan Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/strong>. It also solidifies this offensive line, which Smith has become a mainstay since being drafted.<\/p>\n

The Bucs drafted Smith, a left tackle from Penn State in the second round, 34th\u00a0<\/sup>overall, in 2015.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has started 64 consecutive games, tied for second most by any left tackle in the league, behind Jake Matthews<\/a> <\/strong>of the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>. Smith\u2019s 4,142 snaps are the most by any player, offense and defense, since 2015 behind Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> center Jason Kelce<\/a><\/strong>, and his 2,559 pass-blocking plays are the most since 2015,\u201d per ESPN\u2019s Jenna Laine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By signing their left tackle now, the Buccaneers avoid the franchise-tag whose deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Also, with Smith\u2019s extension, the Buccaneers have now secured the left side of their offensive line for the next few years. In October, the Buccaneers extended their left guard Ali Marpet<\/a><\/strong> to a six-year contract<\/a> worth $55 million, including $27 million in guarantees.<\/p>\n

The feeling in the Tampa Bay front office is that, as of right now, Smith\u2019s best attributes are his toughness and constant availability. They also believe that the former Nittany Lion has yet to reach his full potential, and he has already played a critical role in their offense per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Buccaneers had the third most yards of total offense (6,648) or 415.5 yards per game and finished 12th in scoring with 396 total points or 24.8 points per game. The Buccaneers\u2019 5,125 total passing yards or 320.3 passing yards per game led the National Football League.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>