TAMPA — The Bucs traded up in the second round of the 2015 draft to select a feisty offensive lineman out of Hobart College, and Ali Marpet feels good about rewarding Tampa Bay’s faith.
Marpet has started 12 games at right guard as a rookie, missing three weeks with a knee injury, and intends to finish strong in Sunday’s finale at Carolina.
“It was an exciting year, a quick-leaning-curve kind of year, and a fun year for me,’’ said Marpet, who will try to open holes in Charlotte against the NFL’s No. 5 rushing defense. “After the first regular-season game, I started to realize I can do this and get it done well.