6 NFL rookies who will contribute the most in the 2020 season
6. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Buccaneers
Free agency acquisitions have dominated the conversation around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and rightfully so. They only added six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady to an offense that would’ve been one of the best in the league if not for Jameis Winston throwing 30 interceptions a year ago. The Bucs also added Rob Gronkowski (technically via trade) as they lured him out of retirement to reunite with Brady.
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But the simple truth of the matter is that Brady is still 43 years old. And while he may still have plenty left in the tank to make a run at a Super Bowl, having a quarterback of that age puts a premium on offensive line play.
Last year, the Bucs offensive line was quietly one of the top 10 units in the league. But with the loss of veteran Demar Dotson in free agency, that left a huge hole on the right side of that group. And that’s why it was such a blessing that Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs fell to them in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Wirfs is a phenomenal prospect ready to start right now. He’s a freak athlete with a wrestling background, the type of player who has continuously gotten better as he’s been able to match his craft with his physical gifts. That fits perfectly for what Bruce Arians and Brady need on the right side.
PFF ranked the Bucs as just the 13th-best offensive line in the league entering the 2020 season. Having said that, Wirfs gives them far more upside than that. And if he comes in and allows Brady the time to use a mouth-watering group of weapons, then Tampa Bay could be in Super Bowl contention.