The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have drafted well in recent years, and while their roster might be headlined by veteran superstars, they’re still brimming with young talent on both sides of the ball.
“The 33rd Team” recently released their list of the NFL’s top 25 players under 25 years old, and a pair of Bucs made the cut.
Right tackle Tristan Wirfs comes in at No. 9 on the list, after being named a first-team All-Pro last year, in just his second NFL season:
Tristan Wirfs, a former 2020 first-round pick, has been a stalwart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since he stepped on the field as the starting left tackle for future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. Wirfs ranked in the top 12 in PFF-season grade in his rookie year before leaping to the eighth-highest grade in 2021. Among offensive linemen drafted in 2020, Wirfs has allowed the fewest pressures. In 2021, Wirfs allowed 14 total pressures and two sacks. While it was not a spotless year for Wirfs, it nearly was. Wirfs’ best football is likely still ahead of him, and he has already proven to be one of the league’s best offensive tackles.
Linebacker Devin White also makes the cut, sneaking in at the No. 24 spot:
Devin White, the former LSU Tiger, has played a vital role in Tampa Bay’s defensive success since 2019. In 2021, White earned his first Pro Bowl nod after tying for the fifth-most sacks among linebackers and racking up 90 tackles. White can make plays all over the field and is an invaluable piece to the Bucs’ vaunted run defense.
Both Wirfs and White have been huge reasons for Tampa Bay’s success over the past two seasons, and they’re expected to be making a big impact for years to come. The Bucs have already picked up the fifth-year option on White’s rookie contract, and they’re sure to do the same with Wirfs. Expect both to remain in Tampa on long-term extensions when the time arrives.
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