The Buccaneers now have their top two draft picks under contract, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, who tweets a photo of second-round offensive tackle Donovan Smith signing his rookie deal. In a press release announcing the transaction, the team notes that seventh-round fullback Joey Iosefa has also inked his contract, so only second-round lineman Ali Marpet remains unsigned.
The 34th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Smith will be in line for a four-year contract worth about $6.069MM, with a signing bonus of approximately $2.674MM, per Over The Cap. Because he was selected just outside of the first round, Smith’s deal won’t feature a fifth-year option, meaning he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency following the 2018 season.
Smith is expected to immediately assume the starting role at the left tackle position, replacing the ineffective Anthony Collins, who was released earlier in the offseason. Assuming he starts the year at left tackle, Smith will be protecting the blind side of quarterback Jameis Winston, who was the first player selected in this year’s draft, and was also the first draftee to sign his rookie contract.