Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs voted among the best in the league by ESPN
The 2020 NFL Draft was a very deep one for tackles, and with such a premium being placed on pass protectors, the run on them went early. The Giants snagged Andrew Thomas at #4. Then the Browns and Jets went 10 and 11 with Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Bechton, respectively. At #14, not wanting to […]
The 2020 NFL Draft was a very deep one for tackles, and with such a premium being placed on pass protectors, the run on them went early.
The Giants snagged Andrew Thomas at #4. Then the Browns and Jets went 10 and 11 with Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Bechton, respectively.
At #14, not wanting to get scooped by a tackle-needy team, Jason Licht traded up one spot with San Francisco and took Tristan Wirfs of Iowa. When all is said and done, that could go down as one of the greatest moves in Licht's tenure.
As of 2023, Wirfs has had the best overall career of all tackles from the 2020 class. Thomas has come on strong since a terrible rookie season, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and a 90.3 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. Bechton has been a disappointment, and Wills has been lackluster.
Wirfs, on the other hand, has been a star since his rookie season. Anchoring the line on the right side, he helped spur the Buccaneers' run to a Super Bowl championship in 2020. The following year he earned first team All-Pro honors. He's been one of the best right tackles in the NFL since he stepped on the field, and he should be more than capable of taking over the left tackle spot for the Bucs this fall.
Protecting Tom Brady – and doing it well – has helped Wirfs gain recognition around the league. In fact, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been putting out lists for the top 10 at each position as voted on by NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players, and Wirfs checked in at #3 in the list of tackles released on Saturday. Only Trent Williams and Laremy Tunsil came in higher than Wirfs.
An ankle injury cost Wirfs four games, but he allowed only one sack as a primary pass-blocker, tied with Lane Johnson for first in this group. He also made his second Pro Bowl in three NFL seasons.
The Bucs are moving Wirfs from right to left tackle this offseason.
"Durability seemed to be the only issue last year," an AFC exec said. "He's arguably the best right tackle in football for the last few years." – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com
While the offensive line as a unit struggled in 2022, Wirfs actually turned in his best career pass protection grade from Pro Football Focus with a sterling 89.1. His superior pass protection ability should serve him well to shift to the left side, where he will line up next to veteran LG Matt Feiler and give the Bucs a strong left side of the line.
The Bucs picked up Wirfs fifth-year option for 2024, but if they want to keep their star tackle long-term, they will need to work out a long-term deal sooner than later. Because, based on the lofty perception around the league of Wirfs, someone will be willing to pay him for what they see — one of the elite tackles in all of football.
Hey, Buccaneers! Go ahead and pay RT Tristan Wirfs his money
Tristan Wirfs is about to cost the Buccaneers a ton of money if they don’t go ahead and give him the contract extension he deserves.
Featured image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
