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Rankings, levels, and categories are constantly used to engage sports fans in discussions based on the different teams, players, and discussions they are most interested in consuming or participating in.
Bucs fans, like most other fan bases, have found themselves making their most ardent arguments when they feel their team, or a player on their team, has been ignored or disrespected — most often by someone else’s roster or rating.Which is why this Pro Football Focus article ranking the best offensive tackles in the NFL should feel like a breath of fresh air for Bucs fans. Not because it’s necessarily 100% correct, but because it’s hard to complain about.
It’s one where the star of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the right tackle, Tristan Wirfs, has managed to earn the respect and recognition he deserves.
According to the author of the article, Ben LynseyTristan Wirfs is the third best offensive tackle in the game.
Within the “elite” category in which the Wirfs name can be found, it is identified just behind Trent Williams and David Bakhtiari, and ahead of familiar names such as Ryan Ramsic, Lyn Johnson, Tyrone Armstead and Tyrone Smith
All of these players are franchisees, each earning elite status based on consistent and highly efficient productions over several seasons in the league. So when compared to Wirfs, each has a distinct feature in one main class; expertise.
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At just 23 years old, the fact that the Wirfs oozes the highest level of offensive tackles in the NFL, not to mention his inclusion in the top three, is a true testament to how special the player is.
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Wirfs is one of the best players in his position, while playing at the highest level of competition in the world, despite being only 23, is quite an achievement.
The fact that just two years ago, he was not even one of the first three offensive tackles selected in his recruiting class (2020), makes his rise to stardom all the more satisfying. Not just for him, but for the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, as well as their fans.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive tackle year two, Rashawn Slater, and Detroit Lions entry year two, Penei Sewell, are the only other players on the roster who can rival the Young Wirfs. Both are at the bottom of the list.
Below is the ranking of the top 10 offensive tackles, presented in the same order they are listed Ben Lynsey In his article for PFF, but I’ve included each player’s current age for some additional context.
Top 10 offensive tackles (years old)
1 – Trent Williams (33)
2 – David Bakhtiari (30 years old)
3 – Tristan Waves (23)
4 – Ryan Ramsick (28)
5. Lynne Johnson (32)
6. Tyrone Armstead (30)
7- Tyrone Smith: (31)
8. Ronnie Stanley (28)
9- Rachun Slater (23).
10- Taylor Mouton (27)
For the record, Buck’s left tackle, Donovan Smith, was ranked the 24th best offensive tackle in the NFL, being listed as “Level 7: Good Start.”
No one who has had the pleasure of watching Tristan Wirfs play week after week over his first two NFL seasons needs a PFF rating to tell them how elite he is. They already know. The same goes for teammates, coaches and opponents.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not good to see the rest of the world start paying attention.
If you want to see Colin HalbomExclusive post-draft interview with Thor Nystrom from NBC Sports Edge In a pirate training class in Tampa Bay, Check out the latest episode of Banter Box Podcast.