Assessing Redskins first-round options: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
By Ian Cummings
Scouting Tristan Wirfs
It’s a consensus viewpoint that Tristan Wirfs is one of the best four offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft, and one could make a case for him being the best overall prospect from that group. Wirfs is a unique prospect, in the sense that no one is debating his merit as a top talent. What is up for debate, however, is Wirfs’ best role at the next level. Some think he’s best suited staying at right tackle, some think he should move inside, and some think he can play anywhere at a high level. The Redskins, who need a left tackle, have vested interest in this discussion. Thus, I went to the tape to see how his traits stack up, and what it could mean for his projection at the NFL level.
Pass Blocking – Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Very measured with his movements, and an easy mover in all facets
- Grip strength is a huge plus, can neutralize defenders once his hands have latched
- Smooth lateral athleticism allows for consistent mirroring and positive leverage
- Can seamlessly transition from an in-place stance to a shuffling motion
- No technical flaws with his kick back, such as a false step
- Glides in open field and has the short-area quickness to close windows for rushers
- Has excellent recovery athleticism against rushers trying to go outside
- Possesses a patient, alert help mentality when not matched one-on-one
- Shows flashes of violent, authoritative hand technique
- Very rare for Wirfs to be beaten purely by power or athleticism
- Keeps his shoulders square and is always in an efficient attack position
- Has very good stamina as a pass blocker, won’t get gassed by many guys
- Punishes over-aggressive opponents (See: Body slam, Wisconsin game, 3:00-minute mark)
- Comes up clutch in big moments, has excellent focus when playing from behind
- Produced very encouraging tape at left tackle against Rutgers
Weaknesses
- Can be more consistently proactive with hand punches
- Can work on responding better to pass rush counters and combos
- Can sometimes get too passive waiting for the edge rusher to make the first move
- Has a tendency to backpedal, which can give spaces to linemen executing stunts
- Backpedal can also allow rushers more leverage to impose power
- Will have to focus on positioning against smaller, athletic pass rushers
Pass Blocking Summary
It can’t be understated how smooth Wirfs is as a pass blocker. Wirfs’ NFL Combine numbers spoke of an elite athlete, and on tape, Wirfs’ pass blocking reps express a similar sentiment. Wirfs glides with ease when matching edge rushers on the outside, and is very light on his feet when mirroring changes in direction. He also offers excellent recovery athleticism, as well as tremendous functional strength. Wirfs’ physical traits give him a consistent edge against his opponents in leverage-neutral scenarios.
Now, Wirfs does occasionally give up too much space and leverage while backpedaling, and he needs to polish his hand usage overall, but he’s a pass protecting prospect on the uptrend, with an outstanding combination of athleticism and power to mold at the next level. His pass blocking snaps at left tackle were just as smooth as his snaps at right tackle, suggesting comfortable translatability. There were no technical concerns or angle issues that arose when Wirfs played at left tackle, and his athleticism only confirms his universal versatility as a prospect.
Run Blocking – Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Aggressive run blocker with a mauler’s mentality
- Searing explosiveness off the line, consistently beats opponents to the punch
- Does a very good job changing the angle of his anchor on the move, to cut off defenders
- Showcases a very impressive actionable mix of functional power and mobility
- Has dominant power against linebackers and defensive backs in open field
- Generally plays with good pad level; not too upright, but not volatile
- Packs a huge punch on initial contact when blocking on the move
- Showcases awesome functional strength even when he doesn’t have optimal leverage
- Has impressive capacity to redirect after investing energy into an initial block
- Awareness of angles is very much apparent at left tackle and right tackle
Weaknesses
- Aggressiveness can sometimes cause him to shoot past optimal angles
- Balance is sometimes an issue, as Wirfs’ average length can cause him to overcompensate
- Linemen with superior length can prevent Wirfs from closing them out
- Can sometimes get lost in the action on complex play designs
- Had more hiccups as a run blocker than a pass blocker at left tackle
Run Blocking Summary
Wirfs’ best run blocking snaps are fun to watch. The Iowa product has a definite mauler’s mentality, and he has the explosive athleticism to shoot off the line and move defenders at the point of attack. He generally plays with good pad level, although he can occasionally over-extend to compensate for his average length, thus sacrificing leverage. That said, Wirfs’ combination of athleticism in space and power at the point of attack more than makes up for his relative lack of length. Wirfs has the functional mobility to maximize his play-to-play positioning, and he has the power to impose his will once in the right spot. Wirfs can work on being more patient in certain situations, in order to preserve angles, but his upside as a run blocker is through the roof at the next level.
Tristan Wirfs Overview
Tristan Wirfs checks almost all the boxes at the offensive tackle position, and his tape reinforces his reputation as a role diverse prospect. Wirfs could flourish at guard in the NFL, and also at right tackle, where his role will require the least modification. But the Redskins would need Wirfs at left tackle, and luckily for them, his profile checks out there as well. Wirfs played primarily right tackle at Iowa, but when he filled in on the left tackle, his athleticism, power, fluidity, and angle awareness still shined through, and allowed him to put together high quality reps. There also weren’t any bad habits visibly compounded by the move, which is a very important sign.
Athleticism is important, and the tape shows that Wirfs is an elite athlete. His NFL Combine numbers do the same, as he compares very favorably to former starter Trent Williams:
Trent Williams: 6-foot-5, 315, 4.81 40-yard dash, 34.5-inch vertical, 23 bench reps
Tristan Wirfs: 6-foot-5, 320, 4.86 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical, 24 bench reps
Transitioning at the NFL level will be a bit tougher for Wirfs, but his elite overarching athleticism gives him the tools needed to mount that transition, and he’s also a smart blocker who can learn quickly when given the resources he needs. Wirfs, like every NFL Draft prospect, isn’t perfect, but he has one of the most exciting athletic foundations in the 2020 NFL Draft, and all of his downsides come in areas where improvement can be reasonably projected. If you’re looking for a starting left tackle, or a starting just-about-anything, Wirfs can give you what you need.
Don’t believe me? See for yourself! I’ve linked the tape I watched below, and also labeled which games Wirfs took left tackle snaps in. Wirfs plays and makes an impact on almost every offensive snap in each game, so there’s a lot of action to watch and glean information from.