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2020 NFL Mock Draft: Sifting through the pre-draft noise

By Jacob Camenker

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

player. 30. . Offensive Lineman. New York Jets. Tristan Wirfs. 11

The Jets are leaning toward an offensive tackle here. They have needs at corner and receiver, but with the top two corners off the board, they will likely focus on the offensive side of the ball. And though there are some quality receivers available, it makes a lot of sense for the team to target a guy like Tristan Wirfs here.

For quite a while, I’ve had Wirfs listed as the likely No. 4 overall pick to the Giants. But with Andrew Thomas looking more and more like a possibility for the other New York team, I think the Jets will look to add one of the other more athletic tackles here.

As I explained on the WalterFootball.com podcast, I think that the Jets will be in the market for an athletic offensive tackle. They spent $10 million a year on George Fant, an unproven but athletic member of the Seahawks, so that indicates that they value size and athleticism on the offensive line.

While my pick was Mekhi Becton in that mock, Tristan Wirfs is on the board here. And after his hyper-athletic showing at the combine, the Jets may prefer him to Becton even if Becton has more upside on the left side of the line.

Wirfs had an incredible combine that saw him blaze a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash and perform well in all athletic drills. His 6-foot-5, 320-pound frame will afford him a chance to start at either tackle position. He may be better suited for the right side, given that he played there at Iowa, but the Jets could have him play there and stick Fant on the right side. They view Fant as versatile, so that frees them up a bit to take the best pat this juncture.

Wirfs is a nice value and even if he doesn’t work out at tackle, he should be a great guard at the next level. The Jets have needs on the interior line as well, so they’d benefit from taking the best and most versatile player here. And in this circumstance, that is Wirfs.

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