TAMPA, Fla. – Jameis Winston wasn’t the only Florida State player the Buccaneers were looking at Tuesday.
There were more than a dozen Seminoles working out at Florida State's pro day, and the Bucs have made plans to spend time with one of them soon. Guard Josue Matias said he is scheduled to visit the Bucs next week.
Matias is viewed by draft experts as a second- or third-round pick. It’s only logical the Bucs are doing their homework on him.
Tampa Bay’s offensive line was one of the worst in the league last year and the Bucs know they need to overhaul it. The Bucs have a glaring need at right guard, where Patrick Omameh was the starter last year. Matias could be an instant upgrade over Omameh.
Matias is durable. Since late in his freshman year, he made 43 consecutive starts. It’s also possible that the Bucs might be interested in Florida State’s Cameron Erving. He can play guard, tackle and center and is viewed as a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Matias and Erving did a nice job blocking for Winston in college. They could end up doing more of the same in the NFL.