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After a stellar season at Iowa and an even better performance at the NFL Combine, offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs is off to the NFL as the newest member of the Tompa...Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
After Bucs traded up one spot with the #49ers
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 24, 2020
With the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the #Bucs are selecting OL Tristan Wirfs
The last of the big 4 OTs left goes to the #Buccaneers
Brady is an happier QB now. pic.twitter.com/H3RiOsDG0c
He was selected 13th overall in the first round, which is a little lower than a lot of people expected. The general consensus seemed to be that he would be taken No. 4 overall by the Giants, who instead chose OL Andrew Thomas from Georgia. But this is certainly an interesting place for Wirfs to land, as he’ll get to protect new QB in town Tom Brady. Certainly a win-win for both players, I’d say! The pick was also the first trade of the draft, with the Bucs trading up a spot with the San Francisco 49ers.
If you’re looking for a better breakdown about what Wirfs will bring to the NFL than I could ever write, check out our own Rob Donaldson’s breakdown HERE.
Here’s a refresher on Wirfs’ measurements from the Combine:
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 320 lbs
Arms: 34”
Hands: 10 1/4”
Wirfs’ junior season at Iowa garnered him the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference award at the end of the regular season, giving him plenty of hype heading into the NFL Combine, where he had a national breakout performance, so it’s no surprise to see him taken here after multiple mock drafts slotted him in the top 10.
In my mind, this is probably the beginning of a long career for Wirfs in the league. The Bucs were already going to be a must-watch team next year but they will definitely will be now for Iowa fans as we look to see Wirfs protecting Brady on a weekly basis.
Congrats, Tristan!