Bucs add veteran offensive lineman Matt Feiler
TAMPA ― Improving the offensive line still may be the biggest priority in the NFL draft for the Bucs, but they continued to address the position by agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran tackle/guard Matt Feiler on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Feiler played tackle in three of his four seasons with the Steelers. But he was moved to guard by the Chargers, where he started 23 games.
Tampa Bay lost backup tackle Josh Wells, who signed with the Jaguars in free agency. They also released starting left tackle Donovan Smith after eight seasons and traded guard Shaq Mason to the Texans.
It is unclear which position the Bucs want Feiler to concentrate on but his versatility is welcome.
The acquisition won’t prevent the Bucs from still evaluating the offensive line — particularly tackle — in the draft.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Feiler has started 73 of 78 games in his NFL career. He went undrafted in 2014 out of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania and spent parts of his first two seasons on the Texans’ practice squad. The Chargers released him in March.
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