The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up to draft offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, and that move was absolutely the perfect one to make.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hopefully solved their offensive line problems with the addition of tackle Tristan Wirfs. Tampa Bay’s most significant issues in 2019 stemmed from their offensive line play, and this draft pick immediately has the team in contention for the Super Bowl.
Think that suggestion is too strong? Tampa Bay already has one of the best offenses in the NFL. Imagine how much better it gets with some protection for the quarterback.
Wirfs may have been the fourth tackle off the board in the draft, but he will be far from the worst in his first season.
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The Buccaneers could have stayed put at the 14th overall pick, but a player like Josh Jones or a later option leaves something to be desired when compared to Wirfs.
Tristan Wirfs may not have the same projected ceiling as a player like Mekhi Becton, but in year one, he is a great selection to protect Tom Brady. Wirfs is an immediate improvement for the Buccaneers at right tackle and is a perfect fit due to his history playing on that side of the line.
The Bucs traded up just one spot to guarantee Wirfs would be a Buccaneer. This may seem like a rough trade for Tampa Bay, but Tom Brady needed the protection. Jameis Winston was far more mobile than Brady is, and without a stellar tackle, the Buccaneer offense would have fallen short of the expectations.
This draft pick has given the Buccaneers one of the best offenses in the NFL. Tampa Bay has stellar wide receivers, the greatest quarterback ever, competent tight ends including Rob Gronkowski, and the offensive line has now taken some massive steps forward.
With an offense this good, Tampa Bay has all of the weapons to compete for a Super Bowl. This may seem like a tall task, but with the pieces that have been assembled, Bucs fans’ expectations should be at an all-time high.
The Buccaneers absolutely “won” with their first-round pick, and the 2020 NFL Draft is off to a great start. If the defense takes marginal steps forward, the Bucs are clear Super Bowl contenders in 2020.