The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up to take University of Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft last Thursday.
The thing is, the Buccaneers probably could have had Wirfs at their original selection at No. 14.
So why did they trade up?
Well, initially, the San Francisco 49ers owned the No. 13 selection, but due to Joe Staley's impending retirement, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was worried that the 49ers could nab Wirfs (via Peter King at NBC Sports):
Many people asked why did the #Bucs trade up one spot to select Tristan Wirfs. Why not just stay put at No. 14? Per @peter_king, GM Jason Licht had intel that Joe Staley was going to retire. “The Staley stuff scared me. The Niners could definitely be a tackle team.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 27, 2020
Of course, San Francisco ended up taking University of South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw at No. 14, so Tampa Bay probably didn't have much to worry about.
But given how big of a hole the Bucs had at right tackle, it is understandable why Licht and company wanted to ensure they would be able to draft Wirfs.
The Buccaneers also patched up some other problem areas over the ensuing couple of rounds, taking University of Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and Vanderbilt running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Tampa Bay started its offseason off with a bang last month, signing legendary quarterback Tom Brady to a two-year deal. Then, just before the draft, the Bucs swung a deal to acquire previously retired tight end Rob Gronkowski in a trade with the New England Patriots.
Tampa Bay hasn't made the playoffs in 12 years, but that stretch of ineptitude could very well end in 2020.
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