The NFL Draft is always a monumental moment for every team in the league. It allows teams and their fans to have renewed hope in their franchise and shapes the future of everyone on and around the team.
According to a recent interview between a former Browns coach and a reporter, fate was looking out for the Bucs during the 2020 NFL Draft.
During the interview with SB Nation’s Dawgs by Nature, when asked if running back Nick Chubb could bounce back from his injury, former Browns running back coach Stump Mitchell said he believed he did. While answering, he actually hinted that the Bucs almost missed out on their now-keystone keystone Tristan Wirfs.
“. . .There is no question Nick can do, but those guys up front you are depending upon them in the passing game as well as the run game. You know Coach (Bill) Callahan ranted and raved about tackle Tristan Wirfs who was there when we picked. But we didn’t pick him and took Jedrick Wills instead. Wirfs has been a Pro Bowler since Day 1 plus has a Super Bowl ring.”
The 2020 NFL Draft is always talked about for the impact it has had on the league in regard to the quarterbacks it gave. The offensive tackle class, though, has shaped the league just as much by giving it Wirfs, Wills, Andrew Thomas, Mekhi Becton, and Austin Jackson in round one.
While Wirfs has been the best of the group, with Thomas behind him, the others have either left their original team or are on the brink of leaving.
Turns out the Bucs were very fortunate the Browns front office had other plans compared to their coaching staff.