Bleacher Report just dropped a ranking that puts Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs firmly among the NFL's elite franchise cornerstones, slotting him at ninth overall. Brad Gagnon's list focused on guys teams can build around for years, and Wirfs, the Bucs' All-Pro, was one of the very few offensive linemen even to make the cut. When you dig into his game, it's easy to see why.
Wirfs' Résumé Is Just Straight Up Unfair
Let's be real, this dude's résumé is ridiculous. Wirfs has already snagged three first- or second-team All-Pro selections in just six seasons. That's insane production. And get this: he's only committed seven holding penalties during his entire NFL career. Seven! That's practically unheard of for a guy who faces the league's top pass rushers every single week. Pro Football Focus' 2025 grades back this up entirely. Wirfs finished as the highest-graded left tackle in the league with a mind-blowing 92.7 overall mark. He locked down a 91.6 run-blocking grade and an 84.9 pass-blocking grade in 2025, allowing only two sacks, four quarterback hits, and 17 total pressures across 474 pass-blocking snaps. His 97.2 pass-blocking efficiency? Yeah, that ranked among the best at his position, period. The numbers don't lie, Wirfs is a premier offensive lineman, no question.The Versatility That Makes Him One of One
Gagnon even brought up the comparison to Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell. They've both been beasts, surrendering a combined five sacks since the start of the 2024 season. Sewell is undeniably a top-tier right tackle. But Wirfs got the nod in this ranking, and it's because of his unreal versatility. This guy has already proven he can dominate on the left side after earning All-Pro honors at right tackle earlier in his career. Think about that for a second. He's literally the only player in NFL history to earn Associated Press First-Team All-Pro honors at *both* right tackle and left tackle. That's not just rare, that's unprecedented! Having a player like that protecting Baker Mayfield's blind side, a guy who can flip sides and still be the absolute best, makes him one of the most valuable players in the entire game. As Tampa Bay heads into another pivotal season, having a player of Wirfs' caliber gives them one of the strongest foundations in all of football. Bleacher Report's ranking is just the latest reminder that the Buccaneers have a true cornerstone anchoring their offensive line, and that's something to get hyped about.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.