2. Tristan Wirfs, OT/Iowa - 2020 NFL Draft - Round 1, Pick 13
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Licht traded a fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers, to move up just one spot and select Tristan Wirfs, an offensive tackle from the University of Iowa. The 21-year-old rookie faced a tough task upon entering the league: block for the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady.
Wirfs was up for the challenge, having a superb season that landed him recognition from Pro Football Focus with second-team All-Pro honors en route to helping the Bucs win Super Bowl 55 over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Based on his current career trajectory, it is not a stretch to say Tristan Wirfs will likely go down as the best offensive lineman in Buccaneers history and could potentially earn a spot in Canton. Wirfs was named to the Associated Press All-Pro teams in both 2021 and 2022 and was also voted into the Pro Bowl by fans and his peers in both seasons.
In 2023, the Buccaneers asked Wirfs to embrace a new challenge- switch from right tackle to left tackle as well as take on a new leadership role as a first-time team captain. Per usual, Wirfs was up for the challenge. He continued his dominance at his new position and once again earned a Pro Bowl nod for the third consecutive season.
At just 25 years old, Wirfs already has created an impressive list of accolades for himself and is considered one of the elite offensive linemen in today's league. His rookie contract is set to expire following the 2024 season, and it shouldn't be surprising when Jason Licht makes him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in NFL history, and Wirfs deserves every penny.
Licht hit a home run drafting Wirfs in 2020, securing a perennial All-Pro player as the anchor of his offensive line for years to come.