The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than a month away, assuming that everything goes according to plan. Free agency has come to an end for the most part, and after some wild trades, we now have a better idea of what every team’s draft needs are.
As of right now, most are expecting at least three quarterbacks, Jeffrey Okudah, Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, and two other players to be off the board as the Jaguars hold the ninth selection. Let’s look at what players could be available and could end up being on the Jags’ roster when the No. 9 selection is made:
Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
If Okudah is off the board by the ninth pick, this is the guy I would select for Jacksonville. Tristan Wirfs was a dominant right tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes, using his elite athleticism and tremendous power to bully rival edge rushers. However, it’s Wirfs’ versatility that is intriguing.
Many NFL Scouts, including NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, felt Wirfs could develop into a dominant guard at the NFL level. I feel differently as Wirfs is a player who could play both guard and both tackle positions along the line and at a high level at that.
At Iowa, Wirfs was the Hawkweyes’ best blocker, but due to Alaric Jackson’s comfort at left tackle, Wirfs was put on the right side of the line. There he would stay for the majority of his college career, however, when Alaric Jackson went down with an injury, Wirfs stepped in to replace him and performed admirably. This is a big reason as to why I project Wirfs so highly for Jacksonville.
Wirfs could come in and immediately compete for one of the guard positions while the team waits out Cam Robinson, in hopes of improvement at left tackle. If Robinson continues to struggle, the team will have Wirfs in the fold to take over as the team’s blindside blocker, allowing Robinson to slide inside and compete at guard. It may not be the flashy selection for Jacksonville at No. 9, however, I think he is the right one for the long-term.