From Tristan Wirfs’ legendary dominance to promising core players, discover how Tampa Bay’s recent top selections stack up against the rest of the league’s elite young talent.
A first round pick is one of the most valuable assets an NFL team has.
Whether the team uses it to draft its next generation of star talent, or trades it away for an established veteran who can help win now, teams must get a great return on their investment.
If they do, it won't be long before they have a young core capable of competing for a Super Bowl. If a team misses on a first-round pick, especially a quarterback, it can set the franchise back years, and possibly cost the head coach and/or general manager his job.
There have been 191 total first-round picks made since 2020.
Which ones have proven to be the best? Which were the worst?
A fantastic article by Mike Renner of CBS Sports goes through every first-round pick of the decade and ranks them from number 1 all the way to number 191. Renner then shows each team's picks and how many of its picks rank in the top, middle, or bottom third of his rankings.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have only made a total of five first-round picks since 2020 (not counting 2026).
How does Renner believe they have matched up against the rest of the NFL? Which Bucs' first-round picks have been hits? How about misses?
Franchise Player Tops The Bucs' Rankings
It's no surprise that left tackle Tristan Wirfs tops the Bucs' rankings. Renner has Wirfs ranked as the ninth-best first-round pick of the decade. It's not the first top-10 ranking Wirfs has been honored with recently. He was also named the ninth-best franchise player in the entire NFL.
In his six seasons with Tampa, Wirfs has been selected to five Pro Bowls and has been an All-Pro three times, solidifying himself as one of the best LTs in the league, if not the best.
He has been a dominant player for the Bucs at one of the game's most important positions, and his value to the team is immense. Wirfs was a home run pick for Tampa, which drafted him 13th overall in 2020.
After Wirfs, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was the next-highest-ranked Buc, coming in at 63. He was followed by Calijah Kancey (80), Graham Barton (114), and the recently retired Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (149).
Renner believes that Wirfs has been the best first-round pick of any offensive lineman this decade, and credits his play as being key to the Bucs winning Super Bowl LV.
"While he fell into their lap, Tristan Wirfs is easily the best value pick among first-round offensive linemen this decade. I'd argue his unlikely immediate impact made the difference in the Bucs becoming Super Bowl champions in 2020."
Egbuka has the potential to be a star WR and is coming off a promising rookie season. Kancey looked like one of the best young defensive tackles in the NFL before a torn pec sidelined him for most of 2025.
Barton is Tampa's starting center, while Tryon-Shoyinka never quite blossomed as a Buc.
Overall, the Bucs made one outstanding first-round pick this decade, two who have the potential to be great, another is a solid starter, and only one who disappointed.
Final Thoughts
Tampa has had a great run of first-round picks lately. This year's first-rounder, Rueben Bain Jr., fell into the Bucs' lap at pick 15 much as Wirfs did in 2020.
Can the Bucs' replicate their Super Bowl run in Wirfs' rookie season with Bain?
Tampa is a talented team that is expected to regain its spot atop the NFC South in 2026. Their high hit rate on first-round picks is a major reason why.
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