3. Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marpet was one of the most intense and entertaining players to talk with at the 2015 scouting combine. He had grabbed the attention of NFL scouts and personnel people despite his time at Division III Hobart College, especially after a promising week at the Senior Bowl, and we listened enviously as he regaled us with stories about his 7,000-calorie per day diet.
The Buccaneers selected Marpet in the second round of the 2015 draft, and even in his rookie season (when he allowed just two sacks and 22 total pressures), he proved right away that he had no issue dealing with the best the NFL had to offer. That has continued to this day. Though the 2019 Bucs didn’t have much of a run game, Marpet allowed just two sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 13 quarterback hurries in a league-high 751 pass-blocking snaps. Now, imagine Marpet going from blocking for Jameis Winston to Tom Brady, and it’s easy to imagine the veteran giving up even fewer pressures in a far more efficient passing game.
Legit case to be made that Ali Marpet is the NFL's most underrated offensive lineman. Allowed two sacks and 23 pressures on a league-high 751 pass-blocking reps, a monster in the run game, quick and accurate upfield. About to be Tom Brady's best friend. pic.twitter.com/4SdIARvbm5
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 18, 2020