TAMPA, Fla. -- On Friday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handed rookie quarterback Jameis Winston a four-year contract worth $25 million.

On Friday night, the Bucs bought some insurance for Winston.

They used a pair of second-round picks on offensive linemen who could become instant starters. The Bucs used their own pick (No. 34 overall) to take Penn State tackle Donovan Smith. Then, they traded back into the second round to take Hobart guard Ali Marpet.

"We've added two good offensive linemen to the mix," coach Lovie Smith said. "We're a better football team by doing that."

Aside from quarterback, the offensive line was the team's biggest area of need entering the draft. It's a line that was one of the worst in the NFL last season. The Bucs were ineffective in run blocking and allowed 52 sacks. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Tampa Bay's quarterbacks were pressured (sacked or under duress) on 34 percent of their dropbacks last season. That figure was the second-worst in the NFL.

You can't have that kind of play from the offensive line when you have a rookie quarterback, and the Bucs invested a lot to get better up front. They're taking a new approach after left tackle Anthony Collins flopped as a free agent signee last year.

"As we've learned here and we've seen in the past, free agency doesn't work all the time," general manager Jason Licht said. "You've got to be sure on those guys. When you bring young guys in, especially when you're bringing a quarterback in and you bring the O-line with him, these guys grow together usually it works out better. You can build something special with these guys coming up together."

The Bucs are expecting big things from both linemen right away. In a somewhat surprising move, the Bucs said the plan is to start Smith off at left tackle and keep Demar Dotson on the right side.

Left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line because its responsibility is to protect the quarterback's blind side. It might seem dangerous, but the Bucs are confident Smith can handle that role.

"I do," Licht said. "He's going to get every opportunity. I feel very confident about it and so does our entire staff."

The Bucs also are high on Marpet, even though he's coming from a Division III program. The Bucs spotted Marpet at the Senior Bowl and he continued to impress them at the scouting combine. Licht said Marpet will get a chance to start immediately at guard.

Veteran Logan Mankins is set on the left side. But the Bucs could be looking for an upgrade over Patrick Omameh on the right. That's where Marpet could come in.

The Bucs had another glaring need headed into the second round. That was a pass-rusher, and they didn't address it because they were taking offensive linemen.

That just shows how serious the Bucs are about surrounding Winston with talent.

"He knows how to win," Smith said. "I'm ready to match our talents together with the talent that already is in the locker room. We'll go out there and do what we've got to do and win a Super Bowl."

The talk of the Super Bowl obviously is very premature. But the Bucs suddenly look a lot better on the offensive line.