After securing their franchise quarterback in day one of the NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked to improve another glaring need; the offensive line.

The Bucs selected OT Donovan Smith from Penn State with the 2nd pick of the 2nd Round (34th overall).

The team then traded back into the 2nd round by giving their 3rd (65) and 4th (109) round picks to Indianapolis to acquire the Colts' 2nd-round pick (61) and fourth-round pick (128). With the 61st overall selection, the Buccaneers selected OG Ali Marpet out of Hobart College. 

Smith could potentially start at left tackle, while Marpet will most likely compete for a starting guard position, according to Buccaneers G.M. Jason Licht.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are about these two guys. We went into the draft knowing that we had to shore up the offensive line. We needed to bring in some guys and we didn’t want to reach for these guys. They were on our board exactly where we took them. Donovan Smith is a guy that we’ve had some knowledge of – good relations with the prior staff at Penn State. He’s a big, athletic guy. He kind of first jumped out at us watching him in 2013 tape against Randy Gregory. Of course, we’ve watched all the tape now. A big guy, very good athlete, powerful guy, good run blocker, good pass blocker, we’re going to start him off on the left side. That’s his natural position. But we also feel like he’s got versatility to play on the right. He’s also got the bend and the quickness that we look for for guys that can move inside. He’s got versatility, but we’re going to play him on the left side here to start off – feel really confident about that.

“Perhaps my favorite guy – and Lovie will tell you the same thing – in the draft of O-line was Ali Marpet, just in terms of him being a small-school guy that you rooted for. Not saying that we liked him better than Donovan, but just a guy that we rooted for. Watching college football every Saturday when Hobart’s on (television – laughter). Our scouts did an excellent job of digging him out early. We had scouts come back saying early in the year that there’s a guy at Hobart that we’re going to like. The first chance that I had to really watch him was at the combine. We immediately started watching tape on Ali while we were in the suite watching the workouts because he was that type of guy. We couldn’t wait to start watching him. He dominated there at Hobart, but the concern that a lot of people had is ‘How is he going to play against top-notch competition?’ But at the Senior Bowl – I’m going to back up. We saw him first at the Senior Bowl. The first time we watched the game tape was at the combine, for Lovie and I. Our scouts had it all done. He played very well in the Senior Bowl. He looked like he belonged and we feel like he’s going to make an easy transition after spending a lot of time with him. (Offensive Line Coach) George (Warhop) spent a lot of time with him. We had him visit here, George visited him there. He’s a smart, tough, dependable, face of the program, very mature guy. That’s what we’re trying to build up front.”

Quotes courtesy Tampa Bay Buccaneers Communications

OTHER NOTABLE DAY TWO SELECTIONS

Second Round

35 - OAK: DE Mario Edwards Jr., FSU

36 - JAX: RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama

39 - CHI: DT Eddie Goldman, FSU

48 - SD: ILB Denzel Perryman, Miami

50 - BUF: CB Ronald Darby, FSU

52 - MIA: DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

Third Round

67 - JAX: OG A.J. Cann, South Carolina

68 - OAK: TE Clive Walford, Miami

77 - CLE: RB Duke Johnson, Miami

78 - NO: CB P.J. Williams, FSU

91 - DAL: OT Chaz Green, Florida

95 - WAS: RB Matt Jones, Florida