A pair of Buccaneers finally get some serious respect in NFL Top 100 ranking

Every year, NFL Network reveals its list of the Top 100 players as voted on by the players. Over the weekend the first 20 players were revealed and it was a reminder that the Tampa Bay Buccaners are more talented than some might want to admit.

Lavonte David was rated the 99th player in the ranking, and left tackle Tristan Wirfs finished No. 85 in player voting. Both David and Wirfs are deserving selections for their spots, and are both career-best marks in the NFL's top 100 list.

In his 12th NFL season, David was the lone player in the NFL with 100-plus tackles, 15-plus tackles for loss and 3.0-plus sacks. Starting in all 17 games, David compiled a team-leading 134 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble, along with a 73.3 overall grade from PFF.

NFL fans are reminded that Lavonte David is still at the top of his game

Since 2000, David's ten seasons with 100-plus tackles are the third-most in the league, trailing only London Fletcher and Bobby Wagner. David's 17 tackles for loss are the second-most recorded in a single season by a player age 33 or older since data became available in 2008, behind only J.J. Watt's 18 in 2022. To top it all off, David's four career seasons with 100-plus tackles and 15-plus tackles for loss are the most in the NFL since tackle for loss data began to be tracked in 2008.

14 spots later, Tampa Bay landed their second selection in Wirfs, who has quickly become one of the league's premier offensive tackles. While playing 1,233 offensive snaps in 19 total games (postseason included), Wirfs gave up just five sacks and six quarterback hits, and earned an 84.3 pass-blocking and 81.1 overall offensive grades from PFF.

It's worth noting that Wirfs did so while spending his first season at left tackle after playing at right tackle for his first three seasons in the league. Regardless of what side of the offensive line Wirfs has been on, the All-Pro tackle has helped the Bucs lead the NFL in fewest sacks allowed per pass attempt (3.8%), in addition to allowing the second-fewest total sacks (107) and the second-fewest quarterback hits (293) in the last four years.

As the NFL continues to reveal the rest of their Top-100 list and fans wait to see if any more Buccaneers make the cut, it's important to recognize David and Wirfs for their excellent play at their respective positions. With a chance to win their fourth straight NFC South division title, David and Wirfs will both play key roles in helping Tampa Bay do just that in 2024.