TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3, Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium on September 17, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 29-7. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Guard J.R. Sweezy #73, Guard Ali Marpet #74, Center Evan Smith #62 and Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017, in Glendale, Arizona. The Buccaneers lost 38-33. (photo by Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
OCTOBER 22, 2017: ORCHARD PARK, NY: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 22, 2017, in Orchard Park, New York. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 29, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 17-3. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 17-16. (photo by Scott Miller/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016, in Glendale, Arizona. The Buccaneers lost 40-7. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 27: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during introductions of the game against the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015, in Tampa, Florida. (photo by Casey Brooke Lawson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The Buccaneers won 48-40. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 - Center Ryan Jensen #66, Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The Buccaneers won 48-40. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL- SEPTEMBER 06, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during practice at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The Buccaneers won 48-40. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 29, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 17-3. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 jersey during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The Buccaneers won 48-40. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 16, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during 2018 Training Camp Day 16 at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 26: Guard Ali Marpet #74, Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 26, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 13-9. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 30, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 before the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 25-10. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 31, 2018: Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 and Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during OTA practice at One Buccaneer Place. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL- AUGUST 06, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2018 Training Camp Day 10 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: Guard Ali Marpet #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers lost 31-24. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The Buccaneers lost 48-10. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74, Center Ryan Jensen #66, Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 throws behind the protection of Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers #32, Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 and Tackle Donovan Smith #76 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Center Ryan Jensen #66, Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers won 27-21. Photo By Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 - Guard/Center Ali Marpet #74 before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have locked up another key part of their present and future, agreeing to terms on a new six-year contract with fourth-year guard Ali Marpet. A second-round draft pick in 2015, Marpet has started all 44 games in which he has played and already proved that he could excel at both guard spots and at center.
Marpet's new contract replaces his original deal for the current season and extends five more years, through 2023.
Marpet is part of a Buccaneers' offensive line that has provided good protection to its quarterbacks in 2018, helping the passing game rack up an NFL-leading 363.3 yards per game. Marpet has started all four games at left guard after playing center in 2017 and right guard in his first two NFL campaigns. According to Football Outsiders, the Buccaneers' offensive line ranks ninth in the league in 2018 in pass protection with an adjusted sack rate of 5.3%.
The Buccaneers have placed a premium on building the team's core through the draft, developing its homegrown talent and keeping those top-performers around for the long run. Other recent draftees who have signed significant second deals with the team include Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, Mike Evans, Cam Brate and Will Gholston.
Tampa Bay selected Marpet with the 61st overall pick in the 2015 draft after trading up four spots to make sure they didn't miss the small-school prospect. Marpet played offensive tackle at Hobart College in upstate New York, a school that had never before produced an NFL draft pick. Despite dominating at that level, Marpet faced a daunting adjustment to football at its highest level, but he handled that with impressive ease, starting the first game of his rookie campaign. In his first season, he played in 13 games and helped block for the NFL's fifth-ranked rushing attack.
Though he missed three games due to injury as a rookie and five more last year, Marpet has been on the field for every offensive snap in 42 of the other 44 contests since his arrival in Tampa. He is part of an offensive line in which the Buccaneers also invested a high second-round pick at left tackle in Donovan Smith and a lucrative free agency contract at center in Ryan Jensen. Smith, who has yet to miss a start since arriving with Marpet in 2015, may also be a player the team will look to lock up for the long term in the near future.
