Bucs trade up with 49ers to protect Tom Brady, select Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers prioritized protecting Tom Brady in Thursday’s NFL draft.
The Bucs traded up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 13 pick to select Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. The trade was the first of the draft and reinforced the Bucs’ all-in move this offseason to rebuild their offense around Brady.
Pick arrived via DeForest Buckner deal
The No. 13 pick originally belonged to the Indianapolis Colts, who dealt it to the 49ers in March’s trade for Pro Bowl defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. The Bucs gave up a fourth-round pick in Thursday’s deal and got a seventh-round pick in return for the right to move up one spot.
49ers reinforce D-line with Bucs pick
The 49ers then used the No. 14 pick to select South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, a pass-rusher who will help fill the void left by the departure of Buckner.
It’s not clear why the Bucs were concerned that Wirfs might go off the board to the 49ers. But it is clear they weren’t going to risk missing out on the 6-5, 320-pound tackle with 4.85 40-yard dash speed graded as one of the best pass blockers in the draft.
After picking up Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday, the Bucs continue to add pieces around their new franchise quarterback.
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