Grading the selection of OL BIlly Schrauth by the Bucs
The selection of Bill Schrauth is a fun one for the Bucs as it addresses two key issues.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stayed committed to building depth in the trenches on Day 3, selecting Notre Dame guard Billy Schrauth in the fifth round, a move that fits their ongoing effort to get more physical and reliable up front. Schrauth comes out of a Notre Dame program that consistently produces pro-ready offensive linemen, and that background shows in his game. At around 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, he brings a sturdy build with a fundamentally sound approach.
He plays with good play strength, keeps a solid base, and does the little things right, exactly what you expect from a Fighting Irish interior lineman. In 2025, Schrauth was a key piece of Notre Dame’s offensive line, helping pave the way in both the run game and pass protection. He’s not going to wow anyone with elite athleticism or twitch, which is part of why he slipped into the fifth round, but he understands leverage, positioning, and how to stay engaged through reps.
Tampa Bay’s offensive line was flat-out decimated by injuries last season, forcing constant shuffling and exposing just how thin the depth really was. That alone makes this pick feel more important than your typical fifth-round flyer. He directly addresses a real weakness on the roster.
The concerns are pretty straightforward. His lateral quickness can be tested by quicker interior rushers, and he may not have the upside of a long-term, high-end starter. In a division with some disruptive defensive tackles, that’s something Tampa Bay will need to account for if he’s forced into early action.