Elijah Klein's Enough Should Be Enough

In the 6th round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on the clock, and depth was a need. At what position? Well, there is a long list: The Bucs have needed depth at cornerback, tight end, linebacker, and even running back — the room with the most needs for the Bucs, one could argue, is the offensive line.

After drafting Graham Barton out of “The University of Duke”, it was obvious that the Bucs saw a need for fresh blood. Without a doubt, Jason Licht and the rest of the Tampa scouting department have done their homework. And with the 220th pick in the 6th round, the “Tampa Bay Buccaneers “ have selected guard Elijah Klein out of the “The University of Texas at El Paso”.

Klein started a total of 55 games at guard. He was invited to play in the annual “East-West Shrine Bowl”, but unfortunately wasn’t invited to the “NFL Combine”. This, however, wasn’t as bad of luck as it seemed at first — due, in part, to the outstanding scouting done by the staff at “One Buc Place” to gather all the info needed for the draft, leading GM Jason Licht to pull the trigger on the seasoned college vet who was at UTEP from 2018-2023.

Coming into camp, not a lot of folks had their ears perked up about this young man until the end of offseason voluntary workouts; however, during Training Camp, he was a player who seemed to have a high probability of starting in the NFL.

What I’ve learned about this player over the month and a half of what I’ve seen, has led me to believe that that statement should come to fruition sooner rather than later. His play warranted the question: should Klein start for the Bucs?

When he was lined up on offense, the Buccaneers clearly had an advantage in the running game. With Barton and Klein side by side, they looked like a tandem not to be fooled with! — On every run play, the ball was snapped, and it seemed as if the interior defensive line was volunteering to back up and move out of the way — creating holes for the run and protecting the quarterback are the 2 most important jobs

With Sua Opeta placed on IR, following a season-ending injury (non-contact), it left Bredeson the likely starter. Sua came in, and most folks, including myself, felt he had the job in the bag, being the Bucs needed rush help, and he was good in NY in the run game.

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There is no doubt Ben Bredeson can come on and contribute. He was drafted in 2020 out of Michigan by the “Baltimore Ravens” and only lasted 1 season before being traded to the New York Giants. (The resulting trade included draft picks, himself). He has started 24 of the 45 games he has played in.

This is a good problem to have. Being the 6th-round pick, Klein seems capable of being put into the starting lineup for the Bucs over Bredeson, and when he is can help contribute in the running game. So be on the lookout as the Bucs begin the season against the Washington Commanders in Week 1.

Will Klein catapult his competition, making his mark, and become part of the youngest and toughest offensive line, in the League — along with Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Graham Barton, and Cody Mauch?

I leave you with this Buc Nation: Putting Klein in, if that is what is done, can only mean that growth and improvement could be a common theme inside the O-line Room for the next 3-4 years.