Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie expectations vs. performance
By Rob Leeds
Expectations
Going into the draft, the Buccaneers would have been happy to snag any of the tackles if they were available. The four options were talented in unique ways, and Tampa Bay would have improved if any of them fell into their lap.
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Wirfs was a unique option, especially after the combine. His blazing 40-yard dash speed indeed turned heads, but many wondered if this would translate to real success in the NFL.
Regardless of any question marks, the Bucs traded up to ensure Wirfs would become a Buccaneer. Everyone immediately expected Wirfs to win the starting job on the roster, and the offensive line in Tampa Bay quickly started to garner some newfound attention.
The former Iowa Hawkeye wasn’t the first tackle off the board, but the expectations were still that Wirfs would be a beast in Tampa Bay.
Performance
A large number of analysts (and teams) were wrong about Wirfs. He lived up to his legendary status as a member of one of the best draft classes for offensive tackles ever, but he played at a much higher level than his counterparts.
Wirfs has remained remarkably consistent, despite facing some of the toughest matchups in the NFL, and he has also shown that he can maintain this pace for half of a season.
If Wirfs can continue this level of play for an entire season, he should garner some buzz as Offensive Rookie of the Year, although this award is not given to offensive linemen.