Which Team Would ‘Pounce On’ Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs in Fantasy NFL Draft?

Entering the world of NFL ‘what ifs’ Chad Reuter executed a seven-round fantasy NFL Draft with offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs leading the list of Buccaneers selected.

What if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could reset their roster and draft seven rounds worth of franchise stabilizing talent?

That’s the question Chad Reuter of NFL.com recently asked about the Buccaneers and every other team in the league. 

Of course, in order to do it the Bucs would also have to risk losing some of their current key players. 

Players like offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs who was the first player taken from Tampa Bay’s current roster, going in the second round at Pick No. 46. 

READ MORE: Mike Evans Offers His Thoughts On The Current State Of The Buccaneers' Quarterback Battle

“Tampa Bay traded up one spot to snag Wirfs at No. 14 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Worked out pretty well — SEE: Super Bowl title and two Pro Bowls for Wirfs,” Reuter says. “So the Bucs pounce on the tackle here. And in this exercise, he mans the blind side in Tampa right off the bat.”

So the Buccaneers get the top player taken off their roster, right back onto it. That worked out well.

And new quarterback Kirk Cousins, drafted 19th overall by the Bucs in the first round, will appreciate getting some protection on the left side. 

By the end Tampa Bay brings Wirfs all new teammates like edge Matt Judon (3rd Round, No. 83), receiver DeVonta Smith (4th Round, No. 110), defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones (5th Round, No. 147), cornerback Patrick Peterson (6th Round, No. 174), and running back Kenneth Walker III (7th Round, No. 211).

While these new Buccaneers members would usher in a new platform to build the roster around, their arrival means certain other players would be headed elsewhere. 

In Reuter’s mock, outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett becomes a seventh round pick at No. 198 to the Los Angeles Rams. 

If that wasn’t painful enough star receiver Mike Evans gets snatched up by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round (No. 140) while Chris Godwin heads to the Philadelphia Eagles at no. 159 in the same round. 

A new defensive tackle was necessary with Vita Vea headed to the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 170 in the sixth round. 

Also joining the list of Tampa Bay’s players drafted in this exercise were safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebacker Lavonte David.

In total seven Bucs were selected in the 244 selections made, and perhaps the most glaring undrafted player is linebacker Devin White.

Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers was the last off-ball linebacker selected at pick No. 204 in the seventh round by the Browns.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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