WATCH: Film breakdown of Bucs’ 6th-round pick, G 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:
.@UTEPFB @ElijahKlein79 has game experience; versatility; length; good raw strength; and he enjoys hitting people. And Tuff. Who doesnt love Elijah Klein??? Look forward to watching him at the next level. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/SLElGxkTCm
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 16, 2024
QB Baker Mayfield
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QB Kyle Trask
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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QB John Wolford
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
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RB Rachaad White
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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RB Bucky Irving
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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RB Chase Edmonds
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RB Sean Tucker
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WR Mike Evans
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Chris Godwin
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Trey Palmer
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Jalen McMillan
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Deven Thompkins
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Rakim Jarrett
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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TE Cade Otton
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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TE Payne Durham
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TE Ko Kieft
(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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TE Devin Culp
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the…
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the game against the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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OT Tristan Wirfs
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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G Sua Opeta
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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OL Graham Barton
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
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G Cody Mauch
(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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OT Luke Goedeke
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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OL Robert Hainsey
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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OL Ben Bredeson
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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OT Brandon Walton
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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OT Justin Skule
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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G Elijah Klein
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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OLB Yaya Diaby
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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OLB Chris Braswell
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
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OLB Randy Gregory
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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OLB Anthony Nelson
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Vita Vea
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Calijah Kancey
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Logan Hall
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Will Gholston
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Greg Gaines
Nov 5, 2023Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports; Houston, Texas, USA;Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes as…
Nov 5, 2023Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports; Houston, Texas, USA;Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes as he is pressured from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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LB Lavonte David
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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LB SirVocea Dennis
Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
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LB K.J. Britt
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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LB J.J. Russell
(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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CB Jamel Dean
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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CB Zyon McCollum
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CB Christian Izien
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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CB Bryce Hall
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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CB Tavierre Thomas
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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S Antoine Winfield Jr.
(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
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S Jordan Whitehead
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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DB Tykee Smith
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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DB Josh Hayes
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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K Chase McLaughlin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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P Jake Camarda
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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LS Zach Triner
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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