Tag: Elijah Klein

Bucs G Cody Mauch praises rookie teammates Graham Barton, Elijah Klein

Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Cody Mauch is already impressed by his rookie teammates along the offensive line

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed an immediate starter in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft with North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch, and they’re hoping to do the same thing with their 2024 rookie class.

First-round pick Graham Barton is expected to compete immediately for one of the other starting jobs along the interior, while sixth-round pick Elijah Klein could also surprise by pushing for the left guard spot.

A few days into this year’s training camp, Mauch is already impressed with both of his new rookie teammates up front, as he looks to make his own improvements and build on last year’s success and development:

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Bucs sign two 2024 draft picks

The Buccaneers announce the signings of 2024 draft picks Bucky Irving and Elijah Klein.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Friday signing two of their 2024 draft picks: fourth-round running back Bucky Irving and sixth-round guard Elijah Klein. Irving and Klein are the first of the Bucs’ 2024 draft picks to sign their deals with the team. Both will be on four-year deals with Tampa Bay, with Irving signing for $4.75 million and Klein for $4.15 million according to Spotrac.

It is possible more signings could come this weekend while the Bucs hold their rookie minicamp. With the rookie wage scale largely predetermining the size and structure of rookie contracts, there is little for either side to negotiate.

The one speed bump for the Bucs may be their salary cap. Tampa Bay has just over $300,000 in salary cap space, which will not be enough to sign much of the remaining draft class. A long-term extension for Antoine Winfield Jr. or another restructure of Vita Vea’s contract may be required before the Bucs can make any additional moves.

WATCH: Film breakdown of Bucs’ 6th-round pick, G Elijah Klein

Check out this awesome film breakdown of Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth-round draft pick Elijah Klein

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to have a wide-open competition for the starting job at left guard heading into the 2024 NFL season, and while they made multiple veteran additions this offseason, the unlikely challenger could be rookie Elijah Klein.

A sixth-round pick in this year’s draft out of UTEP, Klein earned the best pass-blocking grade of any guard in college football last year from Pro Football Focus. Even as a late-round selection, he could end up beating out Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson for that left guard spot in training camp.

Check out this awesome breakdown from NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, and see why Klein has the tools to be a starting-caliber player in the NFL:

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Bucs stole the best pass-blocking guard in college football with 6th-round pick

A sixth-round pick out of UTEP, Elijah Klein had the highest pass-blocking grade of any guard in college football last season

Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to have a wide-open competition for the starting left guard spot.

They signed multiple veterans in free agency to challenge for that role, adding Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson to the mix. With first-round pick Graham Barton likely to take over as the starting center, Robert Hainsey could also be involved in the left guard conversation.

But the player who could emerge as the best option is actually sixth-round rookie Elijah Klein.

Last year at UTEP, Klein earned the highest pass-blocking grade of any guard in college football, per Pro Football Focus:

Not bad for a late-round pick, eh?

It’ll obviously be an uphill battle for a Day 3 prospect to beat out a couple of NFL veterans for a starting job as a rookie, but stranger things have happened before, and Klein clearly has a proven track record of success.

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Bucs assistant GM John Spytek breaks down Day 3 draft picks

Hear what Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek had to say about the team’s Day 3 draft picks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their 2024 NFL draft class Saturday with three more picks, loading up on more help for the offense with another interior offensive lineman, a running back, and a tight end.

Oregon running back Bucky Irving was selected in the fourth round, UTEP guard Elijah Klein was added in the sixth round, and Washington tight end Devin Culp rounded out the class in the seventh round.

Watch the video above to see Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek break down all of Tampa Bay’s selections from Day 3.

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WATCH: Bucs 6th-round pick Elijah Klein speaks to the media

Hear what new Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Elijah Klein had to say to the media after being picked in the sixth round

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added another interior offensive lineman to their 2024 NFL draft class, spending the No. 220 overall pick in the sixth round on UTEP guard Elijah Klein.

An experienced blocker who plays with a nasty mean streak, Klein will be able to compete for the wide-open starting spot at left guard as a rookie.

Watch the video above to hear what Klein had to say to the media shortly after being selected by the Bucs.

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Bucs select UTEP OL Elijah Klein in 6th round of 2024 NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected UTEP offensive lineman Elijah Klein in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added another interior offensive lineman to their 2024 NFL draft class, spending the No. 220 overall pick in the sixth round on UTEP guard Elijah Klein.

An experienced blocker with tons of starts under his belt, Klein joins a Tampa Bay offensive line that has a wide-open spot in the starting lineup at left guard. The Bucs added multiple veterans in free agency to compete for the spot, but Klein should get his own shot to earn the role after last year’s options left much to be desired.

Klein joins Tampa Bay’s first-round pick, Duke’s Graham Barton, as new additions in this year’s draft class to help bolster the interior of the Bucs’ offensive line.

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