20 things we learned from the 2020 scouting combine

The scouting combine is a fascinating fountain of draft and NFL knowledge. Here are the 20 most important things we learned this year.

This is a great year to need an offensive tackle.

(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

If you want a historic draft class, move to the offensive linemen and receivers — the defensive backs class is also sneaky good. But the offensive linemen, especially the left tackles? You’d have to go a long way to find someone in the NFL who isn’t giddy about this class, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for four or five of these guys to land in the top 12.  Last year, an offensive lineman wasn’t taken until Alabama guard Jonah Williams with the 11th overall pick, and a tackle wasn’t taken until the Eagles took Washington State’s Andre Dillard at 22.

Start with two guys who were absolute athletic freaks during their combine workouts. Louisville’s Mekhi Becton ran a 5.11-second 40-yard dash with a 1.77-second 10-yard split (which you’re more likely to see from edge rushers and tight ends). This wasn’t just a yoked-up big guy amped for a quick run, either — Becton looked as agile in the position drills as he had on the field for the Cardinals, and he’ll take that to the NFL.

Then, there was Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, who came into the combine well-known as a weightlifting monster. Wirfs put up just 24 reps on the bench press, but it was the agility drills where he really stood out. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Wirfs finished in the 98th percentile among offensive linemen with a 4.85 40-yard dash, and in the 99th percentile with a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump, and a 121-inch broad jump. Like Becton, Wirfs brings it on the field, as well.  Add in Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. and Houston’s Josh Jones, and it’s a veritable smorgasbord for those NFL teams in need of edge protectors.