The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected former Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, getting a perfect fit for their biggest need on offense.
After a historic combine performance that saw Wirfs set several records among his position group, many wondered if he would be the first tackle off the board. The Bucs ended up getting him at No. 13, making it one of the better value picks of the first round.
It’s clear to see how much the Bucs liked Wirfs as a prospect. They traded up one spot from No. 14 to No. 13 to ensure that they secured his services. Seeing a draft-day trade that involves a team moving up by a single selection is rare, but the Bucs clearly wanted to make sure they landed Wirfs by any means necessary.
It’s easy to see why Jason Licht and company felt so strongly about Wirfs. He’s a phenomenal prospect on tape with incredibly nimble feet. Many within the NFL community knew that Wirfs would impress at the combine, yet he still managed to shock those in attendance. Wirfs’ 40-yard dash performance of 4.85 seconds was breathtaking for a man his size, as was his 121-inch broad jump. Simply put, Wirfs is an elite athlete at his position.
Wirfs is equally as impressive both as a pass protector and in the run game. He is physically dominant on tape with his impressive arm length (34-inches). Wirfs possesses terrific strength in his upper body, and a dynamic lower body to go along with it. He’s played right tackle throughout his entire career, and the Bucs will likely keep him there.
The Bucs are poised to make a run at greatness this season with Tom Brady at the helm. When you sign a 42-year old quarterback to be your starter, you better keep him on his feet. Adding a pro-ready offensive tackle like Wirfs should help achieve that.
Read our exclusive interview with Wirfs here.
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