Good offensive tackles are hard to find, which is why it makes plain old business sense to sign the ones you have long-term.
Tampa Bay did so on Monday, extending the contract of 30-year-old offensive tackle Demar Dotson. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the three-year deal is worth roughly $6 million per season and will keep him in pewter for the next four years.
Dotson made it through just six games last season after an MCL tear -- unfortunate timing for a player who was close to locking down an extension a year ago.
At the moment, Tampa Bay's offensive line seems like its in a good place. Dotson has obviously won the right tackle job and should pair well with 2015 second-round pick Donovan Smith on the left side. Fellow second-round pick Ali Marpet will be working just off Dotson's left shoulder at guard.
Veterans like Gosder Cherilus will be interesting to watch as camp comes to a close. With a contract that is easy to wrangle out of, his presence may be more of a luxury than a need for the Bucs.
Dotson's pass blocking ability was good enough in a limited audition a year ago to win the favor of head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht. As we know, the team has made clear that it's all about setting up Jameis Winston for success and a clean right side goes a long way toward winning football games.
