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The Bucs had one goal entering round one of tonight’s NFL draft: Find protection for Tom Brady.
It was no secret that the Bucs needed an upgrade along the O-line this offseason, but that became an even more pressing matter after Tampa Bay signed the 42-year-old Brady, who was sacked just 27 times last season in New England. By comparison, Jameis Winston was sacked 47 times last year with Tampa Bay.
Wirfs may have fallen to the Bucs at 14, but after Mekhi Becton went No. 11 to the New York Jets, making him the third offensive lineman off the board, the Buccaneers and Jason Licht decided to make a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to move up to No. 13.
The Buccaneers have traded a fourth-round pick to San Francisco to move up, and they're getting back a seventh-round pick.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 24, 2020
The Bucs made sure they wouldn't miss out on their target: Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs!
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 24, 2020
The Bucs should be applauded for coming away with Wirfs. Most mock drafts entering tonight had Georgia’s Andrew Thomas as the likely choice at 14 for Tampa Bay. But Thomas, who many boards had ranked as the fourth-best tackle, went fourth overall to the Giants in a move that raised some eyebrows.
Fortunately, the Bucs didn’t have to give up too much to ensure they got a prized tackle in Wirfs. Even if they did, it’s a price worth paying if it protects Brady.
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