by Offensive Tackles
Tristan Wirfs Iowa 6’5” 320 pounds
Wirfs greatly increased his draft stock at the combine and he was already projected as a first rounder. Here are his numbers:
- 40-yard dash: 4.85 seconds (fastest of any offensive lineman this year)
- vertical jump: 36.5 inches (modern record for offensive lineman)
- broad jump: 10-foot-1-inch (ties Kolton Miller’s combine record for offensive lineman)
- 225 lb bench press: 24 reps
- 3 cone drill: 7.65 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.68 seconds
Wirfs is my personal favorite tackle in this draft class. He played right tackle at Iowa and he most certainly will be a right tackle in the NFL. Not only is he clearly athletic but his film shows lots of power at his point of attack. He has some similarities to Jack Conklin in his style of play. Best for the running game but still needs some improvement blocking against top quality pass rushers.
With his ability and some more coaching, he would be a drastic improvement for the Browns at right tackle. If the Browns do pick up Conklin in free agency then picking Wirfs is less likely, but if Conklin goes elsewhere and Wirfs is still available at ten come draft night, this is likely the pick. Rumors coming from the combine were that the Browns really like Wirfs. I mean how could you not?
Mekhi Becton Louisville 6’7” 364 pounds
Becton shocked scouts and everyone else watching the combine when he ran a 5.1 40-yard dash. A man that big should not be able to move that fast. Becton clearly has nimble feat and can get down field as a blocker. One of his big knocks is the need to play with more patience so he can take advantage of his mass and keep weight centered when blocking. Becton fell only one rep shy of Wirfs mark on the bench. Due to his massive size, Becton appears to play stronger than his 23 reps on the bench press indicate. I think he will be a good left tackle at the next level. Certainly, a top option for the Browns at ten if he is still available.
Andrew Thomas Georgia 6’5” 315 pounds
Thomas was an outstanding left tackle at Georgia and has a lot of experience as a three year starter. Like Wirfs, Thomas was quite active during the combine and participated throughout. Here are his numbers:
- 40-yard dash: 5.22 seconds
- vertical jump: 30.5 inches
- broad jump: 9-foot-1-inch
- 225 lb bench press: 21 reps
- 3 cone drill: 7.58 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.66 seconds
Coming out of high school Thomas was a five star, top 50 recruit. Throughout his college career he was known to get the job done and received several All-American and All-SEC honors. Expect Thomas to get the job done at the next level.
Jedrick Wills Alabama 6’4” 312 pounds
Wills is my least favorite prospect of the top four tackles. He is a good right tackle but I personally would prefer a free agent or Wirfs to fill the right tackle position. He is wide, athletic and has quick feet which allows him to stay in front of good pass rushers. His weakness is mostly in the run game and sometimes gets too far forward.
If the Browns pick Wills, that would have to be addressed because opening up holes for Chubb is extremely important for the offense to have success in 2020. Like Becton, Wills only performed a couple drills at the combine. He ran a 5.05 40-yard dash, had a vertical jump of 34. 5 inches, a broad jump of 9-feet-4-inches and ran a 4.84 20-yard shuttle. Still a solid first round prospect.
