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Redskins: Why Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs could be the tackle of the future

By Kyle Hundley

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with teammates after their match-up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with teammates after their match-up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 20: Defensive back Tanard Jackson #36 of the Washington Redskins, nose tackle Chris Baker #92 of the Washington Redskins, inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins, and tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins prepare to run onto the field prior to the start of a game against the St. Louis Rams at FedExField on September 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 20: Defensive back Tanard Jackson #36 of the Washington Redskins, nose tackle Chris Baker #92 of the Washington Redskins, inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins, and tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins prepare to run onto the field prior to the start of a game against the St. Louis Rams at FedExField on September 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /

How Tristan Wirfs fits in with the Redskins

The Washington Redskins are in a difficult bind with their tackles and must make some tough business decisions going forward with them this offseason. Even though they extended Moses a few years ago through 2021, do they wisely cut him knowing his play no longer matches his pay?

At left tackle, Donald Penn is 37. What is their plan once he does retire? And what do they do with Trent Williams? As recently as Jay Gruden’s firing, Williams has implied that he isn’t coming back. They should look to trade him this offseason.

As a likely top-10 pick, Wirfs has everything you look for in a stalwart tackle. While some fans may not want to draft a tackle in the top ten (or a right tackle) or may want Andrew Thomas instead, it’s a position where you can get an early return on your investment. Perfect example, the Tennessee Titans drafted Jack Conklin (who was also a right tackle) in 2016 with the eighth pick. As a rookie, Conklin got selected as a first-team All-Pro. Wirfs is a much better prospect than Conklin was.

Tristan Wirfs can step in from day one and be a starter with perennial All-Pro potential. While he is a right tackle, he has shown he can play left tackle should the team wisely move on from Williams.

The Redskins could look at switching his position the same way they slid Scherff to right guard and move Wirfs to the left side (or keep him on the right for some team Scherff ‘n Wirfs). After drafting Dwayne Haskins in the first round the year prior, the Redskins’ next priority should be upgrading his protection in front of him. To quote from the movie The Blind Side, “Because, as every housewife knows, the first check you write is for the mortgage but the second is for the insurance.”

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While the Redskins have needs at a plethora of positions, getting a player of Wirfs’ caliber is a chance that could be too good to pass up come April 2020. Regardless of where the ‘Skins go with their first pick, upgrading the offensive line is vital for the future development of Haskins. The selection of Wirfs could go a long way towards helping that development.

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