NFL Draft 2020: Buccaneers trade for Tom Brady’s insurance in Tristan Wirfs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made big additions on their offense this offseason. They continue to do with Iowa Hawkeyes offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

After making the big trade of the San Francisco 49ers trading Pro-Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts, the 49ers got the Colts’ 13th overall pick. With that pick, the 49ers traded that pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where they used that pick to draft Iowa Hawkeyes offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

The Buccaneers were shocked to see Wirfs slip this far in the 2020 NFL Draft to where they couldn’t hesitate to trade up only one spot to draft him. The Buccaneers had a huge offseason by addressing their offensive needs with a new quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.

The only position that the Bucs needed to address on the offensive side of the ball was the offensive tackle position. Last season, the Buccaneers gave up 47 sacks all season on a mobile quarterback in Jameis Winston.

At 6-5, 320 pounds, Wirfs is an absolute freak of an athlete for a big-man as he ran a 4.85-second time in the 40-yard dash in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He is the fifth Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2004. He only gave up seven sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback hurries in the entire 2019 College Football regular season.

His great strength and athleticism will be highly complementary to the Bucs’ new offense. He has the great lateral quickness and ability to mirror the opposing defensive linemen. He is one of the strongest run blockers in this 2020 NFL Draft process.

He will need to work on his balance when leaning to attack or in sliding towards the side in pass settings. He will also need to work on his explosiveness when bursting off the ball or making first contact.

Grade: A

The Bucs needed a significant pass protector and run blocker as they were ranked 24th in the league in rushing yards accounted for per game (95.1). The tackle position was also a serious need for depth as the Bucs only had three tackles officially on their roster. Look for him to make a significant impact immediately for a win-now team in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.