As a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, I’m excited to hear about the team’s draft target: Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron. With Tom Brady still going strong at quarterback, a strong offensive line is crucial to the team’s success. Bergeron has been praised for his athleticism and technique, making him a promising addition to the team. Drafting him would not only bolster the Buccaneers’ offensive line, but also give Brady more protection to dominate on the field.
Introduction
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their sights set on the upcoming NFL draft, looking to bolster their offensive line for the 2021 season. And one player that has caught their attention is Syracuse offensive tackle, Matthew Bergeron. He has emerged as a top target for the Buccaneers and could be a perfect fit for their system. In this article, we will take a closer look at Bergeron and why he may be the right pick for the Bucs.
Background
Matthew Bergeron was a highly rated prospect coming out of high school, garnering offers from some of the top collegiate football programs in the country. He ultimately chose to play for Syracuse, where he has developed into a talented and versatile offensive lineman.
Despite missing part of the 2019 season with an injury, Bergeron returned to the field in 2020 and put together an impressive season for the Orange. He demonstrated excellent footwork, agility, and strength, making him an ideal fit for an NFL offensive lineman.
Strengths
Bergeron’s biggest strength is his size and versatility. He stands at 6’7″ and weighs 305 pounds, making him a difficult force to move off the line of scrimmage. He has also shown that he can line up at both tackle and guard positions, providing the Buccaneers with additional flexibility.
In terms of his on-field performance, Bergeron has developed excellent footwork and quickness that allow him to get into position to block defenders. He shows a great deal of patience and discipline when blocking, waiting for the right moment to engage and then driving his opponent backward with his size and strength.
Weaknesses
Bergeron’s biggest weakness is his lack of experience. He played in just 16 games during his college career, which is not a lot of game film for NFL scouts to evaluate. Additionally, the Orange’s offensive scheme does not feature a lot of passing, so Bergeron may need to adjust to a more pass-heavy system in the NFL.
Another area where Bergeron needs to improve is in his technique. He can sometimes rely too heavily on his size and strength to overpower opponents rather than using proper footwork and hand placement to win battles.
Fit with the Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line struggled at times in 2020, allowing quarterback Tom Brady to be sacked more than any other season in his career. They have addressed some of their needs in free agency, but drafting Bergeron would give the team another young and talented piece to build around.
Bergeron’s versatility would be a huge asset to the Buccaneers, who have struggled with depth on the offensive line in recent years. He would likely compete for a starting spot at right tackle or guard, depending on where the coaches think he fits best.
Additionally, Bergeron’s size and strength make him an ideal fit for Tampa Bay’s power running game. The Buccaneers will likely continue to rely heavily on the ground attack in 2021, and Bergeron’s ability to open up holes for running backs would be a significant asset.
Projection
Matthew Bergeron’s limited playing time in college may impact his draft stock, but he could be a sneaky good pick for the Buccaneers in the later rounds. He has shown enough potential to convince NFL scouts that he has a future in the league, and Tampa Bay would be the perfect team to help him continue to develop.
If he can improve his technique and adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL game, Bergeron could become a long-term starter for the Buccaneers. He has the size, strength, and versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line, making him a valuable asset for any team and a strong contributor for the Buccaneers.
Conclusion
Matthew Bergeron’s combination of size, strength, and versatility make him an ideal fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line needs. He has demonstrated excellent footwork and quickness, and his ability to line up at multiple positions gives the team the flexibility they need to build a strong unit.
With his lack of experience and technical refinement, Bergeron is likely to be a late-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. However, if the Buccaneers are able to draft him and develop him properly, he could become a significant contributor to their team and bring stability to their offensive line for years to come.
