Demar Dotson holding out for a new contract from Buccaneers

Right tackle Demar Dotson has been missing from Tampa Bay Buccaneers OTAs while seeking a new contract, the Tampa Bay Times reports. According to Greg Auman, the holdout could escalate if the two parties don't agree to a new deal. For now he's only missing voluntary workouts, so calling this a holdout may be a bit overblown.

Dotson's contract is set to pay him $2.5 million this year and $1.75 million in 2016, fairly low sums for a veteran and quality starting right tackle. Dotson initially signed his four-year, $7.5 million contract back in 2013 after a full year as a starter. That deal looks comically cheap now, and even looked for very favorable for the Bucs when Dotson first signed it. The top right tackles in the NFL make as much as $7 million per year, while the median starter is getting close to $4 million per year, per Over The Cap. In terms of quality is definitely an above average right tackle.

The Buccaneers have the cap space to compensate Dotson, as they were fairly reluctant to spend in free agency this year. Over The Cap estimates their cap space as $20 million, part of which will go to a new contract for Lavonte David as well. While Dotson has little leverage given that he's under contract for two more years, I would expect the Bucs to reach a deal and lock up Dotson for a little longer, given the state of the team's offensive line.

If Dotson holds out and the two sides don't come to some sort of agreement, second-year tackle Kevin Pamphile is the most likely starter on the right side, with rookie Donovan Smith set to start at left tackle. Journeyman Patrick Omameh has some experience at right tackle as well and may be asked to step in, if Pamphile isn't ready.