Category: Prospect Profiles

2020 NFL draft: Tristan Wirfs scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Iowa offensive tackle prospect Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa

Elevator Pitch

Wirfs has all of the tools to be a high-end starting offensive lineman for years to come. From his brute strength to his impressive athleticism to his nonstop motor once engaged with a defender, his skill set has much to be excited about. Regardless of whether teams plan on playing him at tackle or guard, he should be an early pick in this year’s class.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 320

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wirfs garnered a reputation for being a weight room animal at Iowa, and when you turn on his tape, that’s not surprising to hear.

The three-year collegiate starter has a lengthy and muscular frame that is well-built with ideal proportions for an offensive lineman. His bulk translates to power on film, as he plays with powerful grip strength once he latches onto a defender. Wirfs has the raw upper-body strength to manhandle smaller defensive linemen and knock them off balance. Combining that power with a motor that runs high on every down, he has made his fair share of pancake blocks on the field.

Wirfs tested incredibly well at the Combine, leading all offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. That athleticism translates on tape. He has above-average lateral quickness in pass protection, showing flashes of dynamic explosion coming out of his stance to nullify speed rushers off the edge. He has also shown improvement in terms of his ability to get inside hand placement over the course of his collegiate career.

Weaknesses

While Wirfs has shown impressive athletic ability, he can stand to do so in a more consistent manner. His lateral quickness is superb on some plays, but there are also some downs where he struggles to change direction. Playing with better composure is an area where he can improve.

Wirfs’ hands can be a bit slow at times, as he can get better in regards to the quickness with which he counters pass-rushing techniques. He can also overset from time to time, leaving him susceptible to inside moves. His wingspan is also pretty short for an offensive tackle, making it a possibility he moves to the interior in the NFL.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Andrew Thomas scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

Elevator Pitch

Thomas has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive tackle at the next level. He’s a more-than-capable athlete for the position and offers plenty of upside as a pass protector on the blindside, and his experience in Georgia’s run-heavy scheme shows when he’s creating holes for his running backs. A technically-sound blocker who does a lot of the little things right, Thomas should be taken early in this year’s draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 315

College Bio Page

Strengths

Thomas is one of the most refined blockers in the 2020 draft class.

The way he sinks his hips into contact and maintains leverage through his pad level is fun to watch. His footwork is ideal for the position, and he keeps a balanced base when engaging with defenders. He has improved at getting his hands inside the shoulder pads of his opponents, and the timing behind his strikes is consistent. The three-year collegiate starter plays with active and powerful hands and constantly fights to get the upper hand, no pun intended.

Thomas is a nimble lineman who can keep up athletically with most of the defenders he goes up against. His acceleration coming out of his kick slide is admirable, and he has shown that he can play with lateral quickness when shuffling or when asked to accelerate to the second level. If you’re a team who utilizes its offensive linemen in zone-blocking or reach-blocking situations, Thomas would be a great fit in your system.

Weaknesses

While Thomas brings upside as a technically-sound blocker, he still has some cleaning up to do in his game. His pass sets can be inconsistent, which can make him prone to allowing inside moves to opposing edge rushers. He is a good athlete, but his footwork could be smoothed out a little bit.

Thomas could also stand to bulk up a little bit. His anchor strength hasn’t reached its full potential yet, and he can still struggle with explosive pass rushers who can convert speed to power well at times. Doing that could help iron out one of very few flaws in his game.

Projection: Top 15

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