Joining teammate A.J. Epenesa, Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs has declared for the 2020 NFL Draft; he projects as a potential top-10 pick.
Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs is forgoing his senior season in the black and gold for what is sure to be a first round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He declared via his Instagram account last night, the second Hawkeye to do so on Tuesday along with edge rusher A.J. Epenesa.
Wirfs is one of the best tackles in the nation, regardless of class. He possesses elite athleticism for a tackle, his strength is a plus as well. His footwork is a major plus as he knows how to anchor in his base and move quickly very adeptly as a pulling lineman or as he drops into pass protection.
Wirfs should dominate the combine drills as his films shows a big body who can move in space fluidly. He should be a consensus top ten selection given that Jack Conklin was a right tackle by trade before being selected in the top ten during his draft class. Wirfs is primarily the right tackle for Iowa but can play the left tackle with ease at the next level due to his tangible traits.
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Him, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills are considered the tier-one tackles of this draft class. More and more, teams are discarding the “right tackles can’t be franchise left tackles” stigma and just drafting for talent. Wirfs is that and then some. The only speculation is where he will land in the top ten with several quarterbacks slated to be selected.
There will be no shortage of teams in the top-10 in the draft who will be looking for a tackle, such as the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns. With Wirfs looking as though he will land with one of those teams, it was a no-brainer to jump to the next level.