Grading Grabbing Wirfs
April 24th, 2020
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
OK, time to hand out the graded papers.
Grading a draft, any part of the draft, is a bit nuts. Especially if the grades came out just hours after the first round finished. It’s premature as hell.
Still, the grades are fun. So Joe is offering a sampling.
Prickly Pete Prisco, CBS Sports.
Grade: B. I think it’s a solid pick. I don’t think there’s much difference between the top four tackles. I had Thomas as my top tackle, but not by much.
Bucs: Tristan Wirfs, Tackle, Iowa
Strengths: Power, athleticism, alertness, finish
Weaknesses: Um…
Wirfs may be the best Iowa offensive line prospect ever. That’s saying something from a program that produced Marshall Yanda, Bryan Bulaga, Brandon Scherff, Ross Verba, John Alt, Riley Reiff, Robert Gallery (a mega prospect who had a disappointing NFL career) and many other NFL starters and Pro Bowlers.
Wirfs was the first true freshman to start on a Kirk Ferentz Iowa line. He broke weight room records held by some of the guys mentioned above. His athleticism is evident when Wirfs is seen leading a convoy 20 yards down the field for his running back the way Walter Jones used to do for Shaun Alexander. As for power, Wirfs bulldozes defenders out of position like few linemen can do against major-program competition anymore. His collisions with defenders often sound like firecrackers on the game broadcast.
Wirfs played right tackle for the Hawkeyes and projects there in the pros. He has the initial quickness and awareness to play on the left side, but his mauling style is a better fit for the right, where he projects as a Lane Johnson or Jack Conklin type but with even higher upside.
Grade: A+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Grade: B
The Bucs shore up their big weakness at right tackle opposite Donovan Smith in a much-needed upgrade for Tom Brady’s protection, taking advantage of a mild drop for Wirfs. They get docked for giving up a little to get in position to catch him, but it made sense to get in on the run on tackles vs. going for a wide receiver, given they are loaded there and at tight end, too. Wirfs has great athleticism at 6-5, 320 pounds. He combines his pass-blocking skills with power and physicality in the running game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Indianapolis via San Francisco): OT Tristan Wirfs
If you’re going to invest in a 42-year-old Tom Brady, you need to fill your glaring hole at right tackle. Insert Wirfs, who was an efficient, compact starting right tackle for three years at Iowa. Though his measurables are mostly normal—he’s nearly 6’5″ and has 34-inch arms—some feel that Wirfs’s playing style is better suited for the guard position. That’s an unlikely move for the Bucs, who have a quality left guard in Ali Marpet and spent a third-rounder on right guard Alex Cappa in 2018. Consider this a straightforward, value-needed selection.
GRADE: A-
Bucs: Tristan Wirfs, OT
This is an ideal outcome for the Buccaneers. They needed an offensive tackle — a right tackle to be specific — and they got the best one in the class in Wirfs. He’s an athletic freak who got good coaching at Iowa. Wirfs will be dominant in both the pass and run game, and if the Bucs coaching staff does its job, he’ll be a perennial Pro Bowler. It’s hard to find a weak point in Tampa Bay’s offense after this pick.
Grade: A.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa — First Tom Brady gets Gronk, now he gets a stud tackle. Tampa Bay trades up and surprisingly nabs LT/RT flexibility and an athlete of Wirfs’ caliber at 13. He has the finesse and power to succeed in the NFL, if he can fix a few technical flaws. Grade: A-.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Buccaneers’ incredible offseason just keeps getting better. Wirfs is my top-rated tackle in this class, a glass-eater who boasts a rare combination of mass and athleticism. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound former high school state champion wrestler and discus thrower set a combine record for offensive linemen in February with a 36.5-inch vertical jump, tied another record with a 10-foot-1-inch broad jump, and ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, the fastest ever by a 320-plus-pound player. He plays with nimble feet and bulldozer power, and looks to bury opponents into the turf. He projects as a day-one starter at right tackle for Tampa Bay—another massive boost for new quarterback Tom Brady—and brings intriguing schematic and positional versatility down the line, offering the athleticism and size to play at either guard or tackle spots. He should be a 10-year starter in the league and brings Pro Bowl upside.Grade: A+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Wow. I can’t believe the Buccaneers stole Tristan Wirfs. The Giants were very close to taking him – Dave Gettleman had him ranked higher than Andrew Thomas, but the coaches disagreed – so getting Wirfs at No. 13 is almost grand larceny. This is the perfect pick for the Buccaneers, who needed a big upgrade at right tackle to protect their 43-year-old quarterback.
A+ Grade
Buccaneers: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Buccaneers moved up one spot, in a deal with the 49ers. And it’s easy to see why. This is a great pick, as they get a promising, young left tackle for Tom Brady. A no-doubt steal.
Grade: A
Why they picked him: The Bucs have a soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback in Tom Brady, and Wirfs will have a big role in protecting him. They did not re-sign longtime starting right tackle Demar Dotson this offseason, either. The Bucs’ offensive line also gave up 47 sacks in 2019. Wirfs can step in right away and take over for Dotson. His skills are off the charts, clocking a 4.85-second 40 at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds at the NFL combine.
Biggest question: There aren’t many with Wirfs. Sustaining blocks and improving in his vertical pass sets will be key for him to excel in coach Bruce Arians’ passing attack.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:07 am
Doing ‘whatever it takes’ to grab Tristan Wirfs was a no-brainer given our OLine NEED & lack of salary Cap $$$ to buy a Tackle. Kudos JL … A+.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:18 am
So far this is going perfect. The Bucs are becoming a monster and the nation is all in it seems. This is all so crazy.
If someone would have told me last season that in 2020 the Bucs would have Tom freaking Brady and Gronk, I would have died of laughter. I am still waiting to wake up from this dream but really don’t want to.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:42 am
Steal of the draft! I dont care what anyone else says. I hope he can be coached into dealing with those fast DE’s/OLB’s that can trick and bend their way around as a RT. But if not, we def have a pro bowl caliber RG! Some of yall dont see that yet and thats fine. Ive been called out on my stuff before but later proved right…all good 🙂
Safety XavMac is really intriguing right now….Akers in the 3rd!
April 24th, 2020 at 5:45 am
Wirfs is a solid pick……I can now see why we felt we had to move up…..I’m quite sure that Lynch was honest with Licht about the offers.
I think SF wanted Kinlaw and new if they traded out of their spot with someone who wanted Wirfs….they’d lose him to the Bucs…..so trade with the Bucs was smart.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:54 am
so now we go get Josh Jones
April 24th, 2020 at 5:56 am
They’re saying he’d be a better guard because his arms are 2 inches shorter then they’d like. Think of how dumb that sounds. The kids been playing tackle at a high level for three years in a great O line program. He’s a tackle.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:57 am
With Wirfs and Gronk, ROJO is looking at 1000 yard season.
Don’t be surprised if Bucs go D in 2nd and 3rd rounds.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:02 am
How can you NOT like this pick?! They made the move to get “their guy”. Smart. A 4th rounder is no big deal, especially to secure a solid OL pick.
Good move, solid pick.
Next, a running back. Get it done Licht.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:05 am
Yea I dont see how anyone cannot like this pick. Huge upgrade to the OL.
I hope they look at the defensive side in the 2nd. Idk of CEH going 32 sparks a run on RBs that they feel they need to get in on tho.
To me, next biggest need is DL. Edge or DT.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:06 am
BA has TW blocking for TB…
grade A beef
April 24th, 2020 at 6:06 am
Alright Hodad, and his thighs and hips are thick and can prevent his hip speed in change of direction. Look, Im all good starting him there. But the pragmatist in me see’s Guard unless he develops more to overtake Haeg. We’ll see 🙂
April 24th, 2020 at 6:10 am
The experts, and most fans agree this was a slam dunk pick for the Bucs. Now here’s where it get’s dicey. Licht’s second round picks are like shipwrecks off the coast. There’s Berto, that just gave me chills, Spence, we even still have one clinging to life support in safety Evans. The second round, like looking down a bottomless pit. If we didn’t have to stay 6 ft apart now would be a good time for a blanket party for Jason Licht. You know where you throw a blanket over him, and beat the heck out of him. Hopefully he can’t ring in when we’re on the clock, and someone else makes the pick. Good luck Jason, looking at your 2nd rounders you’ll need it.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:14 am
when you are in win now mode, if you can get 3 picks that can make an impact you’re good…
the late pics are basically throw aways…
arians and brady don’t have time to wait for developmental players…
so don’t stress out on losing a couple of 4th rounders…
grab 3 solid players to contribute out of the draft and anything else is icing on the cake…
licht is pretty good at acquiring extra picks too…
he can play around with the howard trade if something is worth while…
we are fast becoming contenders…
#BreesAndPaytonAreLikeWTF
April 24th, 2020 at 6:15 am
@Hodad, other 2nd rounders….LT Smith and Marpet….GTFO you fkn hater, just looking to talk ish about Licht…another troll GTFO!
April 24th, 2020 at 6:18 am
NFC South rivals are loading on D….hmm, wonder why?! You’ll see the rest of the picks soon…..
April 24th, 2020 at 6:23 am
Steal
April 24th, 2020 at 6:27 am
A+ An excellent pick and a wise move to go get him. Giving up two fours for Gronk and Wirfs? YES! The two extra sevens are just a little gravy. WELL DONE!!!
April 24th, 2020 at 6:33 am
just remember a few years back everyone said oj howard is the steal of the draft…
now if we can dump him for 2nd rounder we’d be good…
then it gives licht leverage to at least get one out of two right in the 2nd round…
#RidingTheGravyTrainAtRayJay
April 24th, 2020 at 6:34 am
Josh Jones, put one of these 2 at right guard
April 24th, 2020 at 6:34 am
what if:
arians and them go ape, and use 3 tight end sets for the love of brady ???
#SignThePetitionToKeepOjHoward
April 24th, 2020 at 6:38 am
Had he flown in this morning like usual he would have felt right at home with the tornado warnings. I just got out of my hall closet. 😅
April 24th, 2020 at 6:39 am
Disappointing to see CEH go to Chiefs 1st round. I hope Light goes Safety round 2 . Chinn if available then run round 3.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:58 am
When walterfootball says you committed grand larceny you should be pumped about that pick. 36.5 Vertical at 320 lbs is absolute rare athleticism. Quadzilla is going to be a cornerstone of that Oline with Marpet.
April 24th, 2020 at 6:59 am
I couldn’t be happier with this pick. Our power running game and screen game just got reaaaallllllll good! He and Cappa are very athletic! We can bring Haeg in for a 6th lineman with Gronk and CG14 the best blocking WR in the game!! Nothing is better than getting 6 yards on 3rd and 1 when every in the stadium knows you’re running but they can’t do anything to stop it. A nasty running game boosts team morale more than anything. It rests the defense and demoralizes the opponents. We still need 1 more lineman to fill in the holes.
Wow CEH going 1st round! His tape doesn’t lie, he has the heart of a lion. I hope we can grab a good pass catching rb today but if not I’m sure we grabbed a great defensive player or WR.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:04 am
The a Bucs got a beast and arguably the best OT in the draft at 13. A+. Prisco is a total idiot. Wirfs is the steal of the draft at 13.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:10 am
Dont see how anyone cannot like this pick. Immediately filled the biggest void on the roster. Im fine with the trade up too. Sometimes you gotta go get your guy. They can still make up for the lost draft capital by trading down on Day 2 and/or trading OJ.
Im hoping for Defense in the 2nd. DL is right now the biggest need imo. Edge or DT. All the DT in the 2nd tier behind Kinlaw and Brown are still there. Yetur Gross-Matos is probably the best EDGE available.
Im hoping CEH going 32 doesnt make the Bucs feel ancy about needing to get in on a potential RB run. They will be fine waiting til the 3rd to address that imo. DL in the 2nd. A trade down would be nice as well
April 24th, 2020 at 7:14 am
Can somebody call me to talk about #3?
I miss him …everything about him…i mean do you remember the curvature of his buttocks…its was glorious
And lets talk about meany Arians . I hate him and ❤️ jameis
Thanks and call quick. I have been crying straight for months now
April 24th, 2020 at 7:20 am
The player gets an A- grade. The GM gets a D grade for giving away a 4th rd pick unneccesarily. The Bucs got Trubinky’ed.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:29 am
Licht sure as heck needs to dump OJ for a pick today. Unfortunately the timing of the Gronk deal makes it difficult. Everyone knows the Bucs want to dump him and you’ll be lucky to get a 4th or 5th rd pick.
Bucs need RB, S and DT today in that order. There’s going to be a run on all 3 positions today and then a big drop off in value/quality. WR and G/C should have been our 4th rd picks, but Licht gave those picks away already. You could get lucky and get a WR who slipped in the 5th because this is such a deep class. Maybe he can trade next year’s 3rd for a 4th this year. Bucs need picks next year to move up for a QB — unless Licht wastes another pick tomorrow on a developmental QB.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:30 am
Some people are going to b!tch just because they Think they know better. When in fact they have no information at all.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:37 am
A Great start. Love our monster New Tackle!
Now- RB, then Safety, WR, DT
I wish We could count On Justin Evans. He was becoming a game changer.
Unfortunately- looks like his ankles may end his career.
Man- the draft show was really great last night- got some real respect for Roger Godell.
Its a great time to be a Buc fan.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:38 am
I do not understand how Prisco can rate the pick as a B without saying what the A+ pick would have been. It’s not the safe pick. It was the correct pick.
Still, I wonder if John Lynch worked the Bucs over a little. I suppose if the Bucs really want a 4th rounder they can use their 6th and 7th round picks. Regardless, the Bucs wanted Wirfs and they did what was necessary to get their guy.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:44 am
Willis was probably best tackle prospect
However , Wirfs played more right side so win there. He feels like the perfect fit to take over for Dotson.
Plus iowa oline are some of most prepared and NFL ready.
The guy is physical. I love it.
Some mocks had giants taking him at 4
April 24th, 2020 at 7:47 am
This was a sweet deal. And the thing people are forgetting, is we now have incredible depth along the OL. Haeg and Wirfs can both play both positions. That could be huge.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:54 am
great pick; i know the niners have kittle but wondering why people are low on oj; maybe he can send him to cincy for their 3rd rounder…also what exactly does jenna laine do as a reporter except parrot others?
April 24th, 2020 at 7:56 am
hard to grab, but you go from 14th to 13th!!!!! that means that SF wanted Wirfs??? if so why they let him go??? I’m having hard time to understand this trade up……
They say SF wanted Javon Kinlaw, and they got him on 14th pick, they could had done the same on 13th, and we could have pick Wirfs @ 14th…..why trade?why loose the 4th round ???please someone explain…..
April 24th, 2020 at 8:01 am
Miami was one of the teams that wanted to trade up. They took a OT a couple picks later.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:13 am
Love how just about every single person on here was hating on our GM. What y’all gotta say about him now. Yes has he made some not so great decisions yea of course. Now look at our team. Some people are calling us the super Bucs. Let’s go
April 24th, 2020 at 8:30 am
Sound pick….not sexy but its what we need and he’s very well coached, incredibly athletic. Background reminds me of Davin Joseph who also was a wrestler. I think from a practical standpoint, if someone said you can get a starting RT and a HOF TE for a 1st, and 2 – 4th rd picks…..folks would be pretty satisfied. Realistically the odds of both 4th rd picks sticking were slim….especially over the long term. We have a laundry list of 2nd and 3rd rd picks that were total busts…a 4th is really stretching probabilities of success. Nailing both 4ths in one draft….highly unlikely. So for what we got….we nailed it.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:32 am
I am still in shock Wirfs was still there at 13. Shocked.
In the first round, he is the steal of the draft.
I thought he and Wills were the best, with Wirfs a slight advantage because of athleticism & coaching.
Shocked.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:33 am
I was a bit buzzed last night thinking that the player was a good pick, but the trade up got me in “WTF Jason!?!” mode. I was only looking at it as they could have had either Kinlaw or Wirfs and saved a 4th! This morning however after a cup of coffee I’m extremely happy with the pick (greater pressing need than at RT than DL) and I’m fine with the trade up price. I think a lot of you guys are right…Dolphins likely were looking to move up to 13 and grab Wirfs. The think I’ll try watching rounds 2-3 (mostly) sober.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:34 am
Yes, the Bucs had to move one spot, because Miami was also trying to move to 13 to take Wirfs.
Great move, Licht. Excellent. Well done, staying on top of the draft shenanigans.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:37 am
@ Capt. Tim: everything I have read says the Bucs staff are very high on the success of Evans’ rehab.
I just wish we could hear from Evans himself.
IF he is healthy, he will be fine as safety. I would draft another just to make the position more solid, because you never know.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:42 am
I’m with Cobraboy here, shocked that Wirfs fell this far.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:44 am
He fell to us, why praise Licht for that?
April 24th, 2020 at 8:59 am
@Wesly: because he was about to fall to Miami, too.
Licht did well with this one.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:00 am
I’m not too sure Prickly Pete Prisco knows too much about football. A “B”, really?!? What a moron. (Very easily) Arguably the best OT in the draft drops to #13, and he gives that pick a “B”, smh…
April 24th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Cobraboy, 100% correct. And anybody who doesn’t realize that, is also a moron.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Speaking of drafting a safety…maybe the Bucs get lucky in round 2 and Winfield Jr lands in their lap? I know a lot are clamoring for a RB, but there probably will be a few very good prospects still there in round 3 too.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:06 am
He’s 6’5” basically(6’4 7/8”) not 6’3”
April 24th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Crazy Bucs,
Apparently SF got a call from someone, Miami or Atlanta is my guess, wanting to trade up, and Lynch gave Licht a courtesy call.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:26 am
Lynch did us right IMHO
Miami was lurking, and also wanted our guy.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:47 am
Replace Donovan Smith!!
April 24th, 2020 at 10:20 am
Bruce Arians is a GREAT General Manager!
Who has been hating on Bruce Arians?
April 24th, 2020 at 10:39 am
Everybody knew the Bucs were looking for one of the 4 tackles available. Good move to go up one spot to make sure to get one.
Looks like they learned a lesson from 2019 when 3 OLmen went right before their 2nd round pick.
A-. Only because they had to move up. Would be an A+ if Wirfs actually fell to 14.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:45 am
We can get Randy Moss’ son in the 5th. He’s a TE/HB hybrid. Built very like Alstott. Runs like Alstott. We have Rojo. What we really need at RB is a choo choo train.
Rounds 2-3?
QB and Safety.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:54 am
Stop with all this early RB talk. We have RoJo who ran very well for most of the second half of the season. RoJo still struggles with blitz pickups so why would we spend another early pick to pair him with a rook who presumably would also take time to get acclimated to NFL blitz schemes?
In rounds 2-3, go secondary/secondary or secondary/speed rusher and don’t look back. I still want them to pick up a vet RB who is a primary blocking back for 3rd downs.
April 24th, 2020 at 11:43 am
A+. Most mocks had him going 4 to NYG. Day 1 starter at RT. Big upgrade over the aging Dot.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Love the pick, but I think Licht got fleeced by John Lynch. Everyone knew the Bucs wanted one of the big four, and I think Lynch parlayed Licht’s fear of missing out into moving up 1 spot for a 4th round pick.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
look if lynch did not trade with us we would have taken kinlaw most likely then he wouldn’t have got his guy. it was in his best interest as well.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:53 pm
Test