PHOTOS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Welcome Eager Fans for 2021 NFL Draft Party

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – With the expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations and people itching to get back to sports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcomed fans for its 2021 Draft Party at Raymond James Stadium Thursday night.

Though the event was for Bucs club members only, some 6,000 members turned out for their Super Bowl Champions–and they were in it for the long haul. Because they were the champions, the Buccaneers had the #32 overall draft pick–the final pick of the night, which meant fans had a long night ahead of them as they waited for the Bucs to get on the clock.

While this year’s draft was quarterback-heavy, the popular analysis was that the Bucs would seek an edge runner, and that’s who they ultimately picked in OLB Joe Tryon of the Washington Huskies. The birthday boy, who turned 22 years old Thursday, was excited to join the ranks of Tom Brady, Jason Pierre-Paul, and others.

OLB Joe Tryon heads to Tampa as the Bucs #32 pick in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft. Photo: Washington Huskies.

“I’m gonna be a sponge, dude,” Tryon told the press in an a interview after he was selected, speaking on learning from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers D-line. “Can’t wait to learn from those dudes who’ve been playing at a high level for over a decade…I’m just gonna soak it all in and learn from them.”