Las Vegas — Former Sioux Center Warrior and Minnesota Gopher Tight End Ko Kieft was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round Saturday.
The Buccaneers pulled off their fourth trade of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Kieft.
The Bucs traded 2022 seventh-round picks 235 and 261 to the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-5, 265 pound tight end started all 13 games in his final season with Minnesota, catching seven passes for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Kieft will join newly drafted tight end Cade Otton, selected in the fourth round, to add depth to the Buccaneers tight end room alongside Cameron Brate and Codey McElroy.
Welcome to Tampa Bay, @KoKieft!#LetsGo | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/WfTjnwx8Hu
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 30, 2022
Kieft, who was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2021, played in 49 career games and caught 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He was also a dominating blocker for some of the most proficient offenses in Minnesota history. Kieft will join former teammates and Super Bowl champions Antoine Winfield Jr., and Tyler Johnson in Tampa Bay.
“I’ll get down & dirty.” 💪
🗣: @KoKieft pic.twitter.com/h46INKpG3m
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 30, 2022
Shoutout to @GopherFootball 🤝 pic.twitter.com/zz0sMg8B7m
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 30, 2022
