2020 Draft Preview: Offensive Tackles
February 12, 2020
by Jay Evans
The 2020 offensive tackle class is a rather intriguing group. A position of major need to the Redskins, the first two rounds could see eight to ten prospects selected among the first 65 selections.
The Redskins have yet to replace longtime starting left tackle Trent Williams and could decide to address the position early in the draft. Below are a number of prospects that could be on the draft radar for the Redskins.
JEDRICK WILLS JR., ALABAMA
When the largest question about a prospect is if the player can make a transition to another position then it leads you to believe the player isn’t capable of making it at the current position and would be better suited to another. Left tackles lacking ideal traits are moved to the right where they will have more help or tackles are moved to guard because they are better in the short game.
None of the previous statement applies to right tackle Jedrick Wills, Jr. The junior started the last 28 games for the Crimson Tide, which utilized the 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior as a blind side protector for their left-handed quarterback.
Wills graded out at over 91 percent for the Crimson Tide this season along the front. He allowed only one sack all season and only 3.5 quarterback hurries, while missing only seven assignments in 771 snaps for a success rate of 99.0 percent.
The junior tackle won’t turn 21 until after the draft in May, but his game is more mature than his chronological age. Wills is absolutely dominant in the run game and explodes out of his stance, driving low against defenders in the run game. He is elite at the point-of-attack and moves on combo blocks from first to second level with ease.
Wills shows great length in pass protection and has good footwork. He reaches with his hands to bar off rushers, which was a massive improvement over his early time in Tuscaloosa. He is occasionally beaten by quick edge rushers, almost as if he had been lulled to sleep by the lack of a challenge and lost momentary concentration.
Plagued by a number of false starts throughout his career, the step up in competition in the NFL might be exactly what Wills needs to improve his game. The NFL is a fluid league and having the best right tackle in the league is not a mark of inferiority anymore. Switching to the left side is a possibility, but at worst Wills could become one of the premiere right tackles in the league.
Top-5 pick
ANDREW THOMAS, GEORGIA
There is plenty to like about Andrew Thomas’ game. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior is a three-year starter in the SEC and the elevation to the NFL is a natural evolution.
Thomas has gone up against the best competition in the nation. He physically matured during his time at Georgia, going from an an active athletic tackle to a large, more sturdy prospect. He has a well-built frame, with a thick lower body that is evenly displaced. Thomas is powerful and athletic with all the necessary tools to be left on an island.
From his early days in Georgia, he displayed agile feet, but the weight has been evenly dispersed and hasn’t lost his nimbleness as he has matured. Thomas’ quick feet are his best asset in the run game and he drives through defenders like he’s playing against blocking sleds. He fights for position and has the athleticism to move to the second level, finishing plays to the whistle.
Ironically his feet are his worst trait in the pass game – they force his upper body to get upright too early in pass sets. The feet scramble to set, often setting outside his shoulders thus lifting his body upright in an attempt to maintain his balance through the block. The Bulldog overmatched much of his competition on sheer athleticism, but his technique can get exposed by more advanced pass rushers.
Hand placement is not as refined as I would hope. His hands get wide on pads, many times in a “bear-hug” circular move, instead of a direct angular punch. Once Thomas begins to lean he doesn’t let go and is going to be flagged if his technique isn’t cleaned up. It is worth noting that Thomas played next to one of the best guards in the country, a likely top-40 selection in his own right, Solomon Kindley. This was definitely an advantage to Thomas’ game.
Thomas is a starting left tackle with Pro Bowl ceiling. Floor is high. Top 10 pick.
TRISTAN WIRFS, IOWA
There is a country strong offensive lineman from Iowa’s program ready for the NFL. Heard that before? Tristan Wirfs is the latest phenom to come from the tutelage of Coach Kirk Ferentz where past alums have transitioned to overwhelmingly successful NFL careers.
Little should change with Wirfs, who broke the internet after breaking Brandon Scherff’s hang clean record. Scherff completed his 433-pound hang clean, viewed nearly 150,000 times, in his fifth season at Iowa. Wirfs’ record breaking 450-pound hang clean was set at the age of 20.
Wirfs’ playing style is evident in his gym strength, and he is dominant in tight spaces. Best as a lead in the run game when the ball is run to his side of the formation, the tackle is a road grader aficionado. He worked predominantly on the right side and may not have the flexibility to move to the left.
Athleticism is above average, but slippery pass rushers can manipulate Wirfs and expose the burly tackle. His hand placement in his pass sets can miss their mark. In those situations, Wirfs can struggle to regain leverage.
As with Wills, right and left tackle designations don’t deter my grading prospects. Every team needs two tackles and having an elite talent is a must for all teams, regardless of the side.
Top-15
JOSH JONES, HOUSTON
Josh Jones was one of the more impressive offensive line prospects at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound, redshirt senior showed impressive mobility and checked all the measurable boxes.
Jones has the physical abilities to be left on an island and can slide with the best of the prospects in the draft. His long arms are a great advantage. He played against decent competition while at Houston, but the Cougar is going to have a learning curve.
His technique is sloppy and Jones is going to need intensive training sessions with a professional coach. Jones won plenty of reps on natural ability at the America Athletic – West Conference, but his weaknesses will be exposed with better competition.
Jones’ worst traits are coachable and he has improved every year. His ceiling has not been reached. Players with this type of athleticism are going to be over drafted and initial results will be mixed, but he could prove to be one of the better tackles if gets the right coaching.
First rounder
MEKHI BECTON, LOUISVILLE
Mekhi Becton is a mountain. At 6-foot-7, there are few players who are the sheer size of the former Louisville Cardinal. Bechton has battled weight issues throughout his career and Louisville’s coaching staff asked him to take off significant weight, which greatly benefited the tackle’s play.
The junior took off weight to play at 370 pounds. That is a full statement alone. His feet are remarkable for a man of that size, but that doesn’t mean they are a strength. His pass sets are an improvement, a result of trimming down, and Becton moves well to point targets in the run game. His reach is miles long and can stiff arm defenders out of reach, neutralizing rushers from getting their hands anywhere near his frame.
Louisville redeveloped their offensive scheme last season and it was a positive growth for Becton. He needs an offense that isn’t going to spread the field and leave him isolated in passing sets. He has immense upside and a team in the latter half of the first might reach for him.
Early 2nd Round
PRINCE TEGA WANOGHO, AUBURN
Wanogho was a highly recruited defensive end and was relatively new to football when he arrived at Auburn. After moving from Nigeria, Wanogho primarily played basketball before finding his size was a major strength on the football field.
Since transferring to the offensive side of the ball, Prince has grown steadily from raw freshman to stout senior. An honor roll member every year at Auburn, Prince graduated in December of 2018 and plays a scholarly game on the field.
Inconsistent play as a result of his relative inexperience can dog Wanogho, but when he is on he can dominate opponents into submission. He possesses natural length and athleticism to hold engagements. His flexibility in his hips and being light on his feet make him a natural pass protector at the next level.
Elite upside and will go in top two rounds.
LUCAS NIANG, TCU
Lucas Niang’s large frame makes him another intriguing prospect and someone who could develop into a premiere piece of an offensive line. He is going to come into the league behind in the pass game, but will have some traction as a run blocker early in his career.
At 6-foot-7 and 330-pounds the right tackle prospect is a consistent presence on the line. He does his job and stays within his limits. Patient in his pass sets, Niang disrupts pass rushers with great timing and impressive coordination for a man his size.
Niang isn’t the swiftest player, but he is smart. He regularly loses the first step, especially to quick twitchy defenders, but sound techniques make up for lack of explosiveness. He’s constantly aware of what is in front and behind him in the pass game and won’t be fooled by stunts. It’s impressive to see him hold his ground when plays were extended and not grab defenders as TCU’s quarterback tended to hold the ball longer than play was drawn.
A hip injury cut short his 2019 season and his medicals at the combine will be watched closely, but hee has a grinder mentality and is built physically stout, and could be a sneaky grab after the top tier tackles are off the board.
Early Day 2
AUSTIN JACKSON, USC
Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. Jackson looks the part of an NFL tackle, but there is something missing in every facet of his game. At 6-foot-6 and over 300-pounds, his sculpted body and length are going to be at the top of the measurable categories.
His speed is good and his feet are light in short spaces, but it doesn’t limit him to close battles as he strides forward and strong in the run game. The passion seems to end there and he loses blocks after initial engagement with far more frequency than I’d like to see.
Jackson’s hands are inconsistent in both run and pass. He fails to lock down defenders in runs and misses targets in the pass game. His play strength is questionable and could stand a year in the weight room.
With all the negatives, the positives are assets if the player is determined and allowed to develop without being thrust to the fire. Jackson can immediately fill in as a swing tackle for every team in the league and in spot duty is an above average safety valve, but it will take more than tools for Jackson to be anything more than a reserve.
Early Day 2
TREY ADAMS, WASHINGTON
Trey Adams has been on the radar for the NFL for three years. As a freshman Adams admirably fought against Alabama senior and future Redskin Jonathan Allen and seemed destined for a top-10 pick whenever he became eligible.
When he is on the field, Adams is an impressive caliber prospect. The smallest nick in his game is that he isn’t the greatest athlete, but he makes up for the negative with an aggregate of multiple above average to excellent traits. He’s feisty in his strikes and smooth in his transition out of his stance. Adams is actively aware in pass blocking, consciously aware of stunts and combo blocking in the run game.
He can be tight in the hips and defenders can get under his pads, but Adams does neutralize strength with strength. His length gives him the advantage to keep most attacks off him, but like most extremely tall tackles, leverage is going to be an issue at times against superior athletes.
Unfortunately, injuries have derailed Adams’ career and the team that drafts the Huskie knows they are investing with a significant caveat. Adams may very well have been a first-rounder had injuries never struck, but after an ACL tear and a neck injury he is going to be a risk/reward pick.
2-4 Round (Priority Free Agent if medicals are negative)
TERRENCE STEELE, TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech offensive tackle Terrence Steele is a prospect who could have benefited from a different scheme. Steele benefited after shifting from the left to the right side of the offensive line and is still growing into a finished prospect. Coming from a pass happy offense like Texas Tech’s can limit the technical skills of offensive line prospects, but Steele is another intriguing player with size and room for growth.
At nearly 6’6” and 300 pounds, Steele still has physical room to grow. The redshirt senior has seen regular playing time since entering the Red Raiders’ lineup and has shown steady improvement every year.
First and foremost, Steele needs to get stronger in his lower half. He isn’t thin or underweight; he just lacks true strength. His feet are coordinated, aligning with his shoulders, giving Steele a sturdy base in many situations, but his technique can fall apart quickly.
His hand placement is below average and needs work. His initial punch is efficient, but his hands can slide off leading to grabs. He utilizes proper balance to get in the way of his assignments and is effective, but rises early in pass sets, which can cause Steele to fumble his third and fourth steps. This reverts back to his weak anchor and Steele’s game falls apart because he doesn’t have the strength.
Steele is an unfinished prospect at this point. He has a good deal of work to be done and a year or two of strength training while learning the finer nuances of the position could go a long way to solving his inability to finish his opponents.
Day Three-FA
SLEEPER PICK:
COLTON MCKIVITZ, WEST VIRGINA
Similar to Steele, McKivitz could have greatly benefitted from a difference scheme, but he’s a competent pass blocker from plenty of experience. He’s sneaky strong in pass sets that can catch pass rushers not expecting the lean 6-foot-6, 300-pounder’s impactful punch.
McKivitz has the ability to play on either side, but is better suited to the right. He definitely struggles to withstand blocks and can get turned around by readjustments in the hand fighting. He has limited athletic ability, but his aggressive competitiveness is desirable. He won’t give up the fight even if he’s been beaten.
His play strength is not NFL ready and like most late round prospects has holes in his game, but as a project swing tackle there is sound core of traits.
Round 5 – 7