In my opinion, the Bucks are not done with free agency. Yes, they strengthened their secondary depth with the signings of Bryce Hall, Jordan Whitehead, and Tavierre Thomas. Yes, they Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.
I would argue they should have pursued one of the many high-end edges available through free agency or trade. But the team seems content to enter 2024 with Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon Soyinka leading a solid but questionable group.
However, there are still glaring holes in the starting lineup that need to be addressed before the draft. After all, free agency should be used to address holes on the roster so that when teams enter the draft, they don’t have to be drafted if necessary.
The Bucks appear to be on a fast track to doing just that. My guess is that neither Opeta nor Bredeson have the caliber of players that Tampa Bay would be happy with starting at left guard. So how do you upgrade that spot?
Bucks should look to Greg Van Roten
Greg Van Roten appears. Van Roten, a former undrafted free agent, had a solid career playing for the Packers, Panthers, Jets, Bills and Raiders. The 2023 season was his best season as a professional, with Pro Football Focus rankings of 77.4 pass blocks, 68.5 run blocks, and 75.3 overall grade.
His allowed pressure rate of 3.35% was his lowest since 2018, when he started regular work.The veteran guard is done. 100 games experience, 71 starts He is considered a solid pass blocker and a decent enough run blocker.
Brad Spielberger of PFF says: had to say Van Roten’s next contract is expected to be just one year and $2.75 million.
“Van Roten does a great job of keeping his chest clean with his arms fully extended on double teams, which allows him to break away quickly and move up to the second level, but at times he loses power. When he’s out, he can stall near the line.” A confident first step. The veteran has always been a solid pass protector and absorbs contact well when in front of rushers. ”
After reviewing some of his films, it is clear that he has a desirable path to success. In pass protection, you want to win early with the punches and immediately move your opponent onto a different path than the one you intended. Van Roten won a lot by changing his routes and passing through the pocket and past the quarterback.
He sometimes moves his hands too far inward. This gives opposing pass rushers an opportunity to spin or sidestep.
In the run game, he has a solid leg drive and works best in zone schemes, allowing him to use the opponent’s momentum to drive them. He’s quite capable at the second level, but he’s not a fluid mover who excels at pulling. However, his play in this area is good enough to be an average starter on a line with multiple above-average movers/players.
Van Roten will give Bucks flexibility
Signing Van Roten would allow the Bucks to slot him into the starting lineup between Tristan Wirfs and Robert Heinsey, allowing the Bucks to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, and with each pick. You will be able to truly target the best players available.
That way, they wouldn’t have to forgo the exorbitant cost of trading up to acquire a player at a position where an unexpected loss is likely.
And if there’s a guard a team likes when they pick him at age 26, 57, 89 or 92, there’s nothing stopping them from drafting him and starting him. The move would push Van Roten into a premium backup role for Opeta and push Bredeson into a backup center role.
But it gives the team the flexibility to acquire Jackson Powers-Johnson in his natural center position, push Robert Hainsey back into the backup center role, and allow Opeta and Bredeson to fill the depth guard positions. is also given.
This would be a cheap deal that would raise both the ceiling and floor of the Bucks’ current line configuration and also give them more flexibility in the draft. Greg Van Roten is a player who can improve the 2024 Bucks without hurting them long-term.