Tag: tristan wirfs

Todd McShay’s latest mock draft has Cardinals landing OL

They take Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs over all the receivers and all the linemen except for Jedrick Wills.

What position is the most important for the Arizona Cardinals to draft? It is a wide receiver or a tackle? This debate will likely go on until the actual draft. Some mock drafts have them taking a receiver and others an offensive lineman.

In ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s new mock draft, he has them going with the offensive line with the eighth overall pick. He has them going with Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs.

The possibility of former Sooners teammate CeeDee Lamb running routes for Kyler Murray is going to be something to watch for at No. 8, but don’t forget that teams need to protect their quarterback first. The Cardinals gave up 50 sacks this past season (fifth-worst in the NFL), not something you want to see when you just invested a No. 1 overall pick on a 5-foot-10 QB. Throw in the fact that they could lose D.J. Humphries and Marcus Gilbert and the pass-protection upside of the 6-foot-5 Wirfs starts to make even more sense. Get a difference-maker in front of Murray and then worry about help out wide on Day 2, when plenty of pass-catchers will be waiting to be snatched up.

In this scenario, all the receivers are on the board. The only lineman already taken is Alabama’s Jedrick Wills. So the Cardinals, if they wanted a lineman, would have their choice or Wirfs, Josh Jones, Andrew Thomas or Mekhi Becton.

The logic is sound. The question will end up being what the Cardinals have already done in free agency to address the line.

Wirfs is a pick that makes sense. Does he make sense over the other linemen and over all the receivers, or even over a prospect like defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, who wowed everyone at the Senior Bowl?

That is what will continue to be debated for the next two and a half months.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 257

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Ep. 256

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2020 NFL Draft order finalized following Super Bowl

The New York Jets will pick 11th in the 2020 NFL Draft as the league’s first-round order is finalized following the Chiefs Super Bowl win.

With the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl on Sunday night, they officially locked up the 32nd pick and finalized the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

While there is a hiatus of football until spring OTAs, now is the time to closely follow mock drafts. The scouting combine will start at the end of this month and it will create a clearer picture as to what teams are planning to do with their picks.

After finishing 7-9, the Jets will pick just outside the top-10 at No. 11. While it’s known league-wide that the Jets want to fix the offensive line in the first round, it all depends on whether or not any of the top-heavy prospects in the renches will be there by the time New York makes its selection.

Players like Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. will be intriguing options for the Jets at No. 11.

Other options for the Jets include wide receivers Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb from Alabama and Oklahoma, respectively, or LSU pass-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. New York could move back, as it needs all the draft capital it can possibly get.

Here is a look at the finalized draft order as the NFL heads into the offseason:

1. Bengals

2. Redskins

3. Lions

4. Giants

5. Dolphins

6. Chargers

7. Panthers

8. Cardinals

9. Jaguars

10. Browns

11. Jets

12. Raiders

13. Colts

14. Buccaneers 

15. Broncos

16. Falcons

17. Cowboys

18. Dolphins (via Steelers)

19. Raiders (via Bears)

20. Jaguars (via Rams)

21. Eagles

22. Bills

23. Patriots

24. Saints

25. Vikings

26. Dolphins (via Texans)

27. Seahawks

28. Ravens

29. Titans

30. Packers

31. 49ers

32. Chiefs

Daniel Jeremiah’s 1st mock draft has Cardinals landing potential guard in 1st round

Most have the Cardinals going with a receiver or a tackle, but Jeremiah projects Wirfs as a great guard in the NFL.

Early draft discussion surrounding the Arizona Cardinals has centered on two main positions — wide receiver and offensive tackle. With the eighth pick of the 2020 NFL draft, they will be in a good position to land perhaps the top player at either position.

However, in NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft of the year, the Cardinals select a player he doesn’t even see as a tackle in the NFL.

With the eighth overall pick, he has the Cardinals selecting Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs.

The Cardinals need to protect their investment in Kyler Murray. Some believe Wirfs will stay at tackle in the NFL, but I see him as an All-Pro-caliber guard at the next level.

Wirfs is viewed by many as one of the top two or three tackle prospects in the draft. If he projects as a guard, this perhaps changes things.

If the Cardinals view him as a tackle in the league, the pick makes sense. As a guard, he better be great because this mock draft has them passing on Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas and all the receivers.

Jeremiah doesn’t have any receiver getting selected until No. 12 overall.

Would fans like Wirfs as a pick if he projects as a guard?

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 255

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Ep. 254

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Iowa T Tristan Wirfs declares for NFL draft

Wirfs is one of the highest-ranked tackles in the draft expected to come out. He could be the Arizona Cardinals’ pick at no. 8 overall.

The Arizona Cardinals have the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. It is expected that they will be targeting a receiver or an offensive lineman with that pick. That is the direction of most mock drafts right now.

A player who could be the eighth overall pick has declared for the draft.

Iowa offensive tackle Trsitan Wirfs officially announced he would skip his senior season and would enter the draft.

His Instagram post had the following:

Dear Hawkeye Nation,

These past three years have been the ride of a lifetime. Getting to compete with my brothers and respresent the state of Iowa is something I will hold with me forever,

With that being said, after a lot of discussion with my mom and family, I have decided to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL draft.

There are so many people that have helped turn me into the person I am today. Thank you to the coaching staff for supporting me through the highs and the lows.

Thank you to Coach Ferentz for believing in a kid from Mt. Vernon and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream.

I want to thank my mom, because without her I wouldn’t be in the position. All of the love, support and guidance you have shown me, I will forever be grateful.

I couldn’t have asked for better teammates throughout my time here. They have become my best friends and brothers and I will cherish the memories we have made for the rest of my life.

And to the fans, thank you for the endless love and support week after week over the years, and for helping a small town kid from Iowa live every second of Seaturdays in Kinnick.

My time at Iowa has been amazing and I couldn’t be more proud to represent my home state of Iowa and to wear the black and gold and swarm out in front of 70,000 in Kinnick Stadium. These memories will last a lifetime.

Wirfs is considered a first-round talent and could go in the top 10 of the draft. He is one of the highest-ranked tackles in the draft. Listed at 6-5, 322 pounds, he played in 35 games in three seasons and became one of the best blockers in the country.

If he is available with the eighth pick in the draft, the Cardinals will surely consider him.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 255

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Ep. 254

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Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs declares for 2020 NFL draft

Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft

One of the top offensive tackles in the nation is making the early jump from college football to the pro ranks.

Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft. He made his announcement via social media Tuesday.

Listed at 6-5, 322 pounds, Wirfs appeared in 35 games over three seasons with the Hawkeyes, establishing himself as one of the premier blockers in all of college football. Widely regarded as one of the top prospects at his position in this year’s draft class, Wirfs is currently projected to be a top-15 pick in April.

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Draft Wire’s newest mock draft has a prized offensive lineman coming to the Bucs

Find out who Draft Wire thinks will be the top pick by the Buccaneers in April’s NFL draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a great position heading into the offseason. With cap room to play with, the Bucs will hopefully be able to bring back a few of their prized free agents, while also restocking in the NFL draft in April.

After a 7-9 finish, the Bucs hold the 14th pick in the draft, much lower than last year when they held the fifth pick and used it to take linebacker Devin White. So, who would be a viable option at 14 for Tampa Bay? They’ve held the 14th pick just once before in the draft, and used it to shore up the offensive line.

And, according to Draft Wire’s latest mock draft, the Bucs will look to snag another prized lineman in the 2020 draft in Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

Here’s the reasoning:

“This is an ideal scenario for the Bucs, who need to upgrade at least one of their tackle spots this offseason. Regardless of who is playing quarterback in Tampa Bay next season, the protection needs to improve in a big way if that player is going to succeed. Wirfs is ready to start from Day 1, and would be a bargain at this spot.”

The Bucs used last year’s draft to rebuild their defense. It’ll be interesting to see if that trend continues come April.

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2020 NFL draft: Why Jets will have tough time addressing biggest need in Round 1

The Jets find themselves in an undesirable situation with the No. 11 pick and needing offensive line help in April’s draft.

While a 6-2 finish to the Jets’ season shows the franchise is headed in the right direction, the hot streak came with consequences.

Gang Green has the 11th overall pick in April’s draft. With the Jets needing to undergo a full rebuild on the offensive line, picking outside of the top-10 is less than ideal when it comes to this draft class.

Finding a franchise tackle remains a top priority for the Jets. With that said, there seems to be a consensus that three tackles will be selected in front of the Jets. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. seem destined to go in front of New York.

Wirfs has yet to declare for the draft, while first-round prospect Alex Leatherwood announced his attention to return to the University of Alabama.

The Giants, Dolphins, Chargers, Cardinals and Browns all need considerable help on the offensive line. The Jets have to cross their fingers and hope that there is a run on talented receivers and potential franchise quarterbacks before the team’s pick.

Potential players available for the Jets picking at No. 11 could be Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, Stanford CB Paulson Adebo, Alabama CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III and Clemson WR Tee Higgins.

In a pipe dream scenario the two most dynamic wide receivers in the class, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, could fall to the Jets, but neither option seems plausible at this point in time. Even if that were the case, while the Jets need receiver help, the line is still the biggest issue.

The Jets may not be able to address the tackle position in the first round and they have to accept that. However, that should not prevent New York from attempting to fix the interior of the offensive line.

Wisconsin IOL Tyler Biadasz, Washington IOL Nick Harris and Oklahoma IOL Creed Humphrey all could be had in the latter portion of the first round if the Jets decide to trade back.

This draft is deep with wide receivers and cornerbacks and the Jets desperately need to add more talent on both sides of the football, especially on Joe Douglas’ first go around.

Whether it’s staying put or trading back, the Jets have to come away with offensive line help on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL draft. They have their work cut out for them this offseason and everyone in the organization knows that New York will only go as far as its play in the trenches.

Actually addressing those holes will be easier said than done, though. Especially in the draft.

2020 NFL draft: Chargers are officially locked into No. 6 overall pick

This will mark the third time that the Los Angeles Chargers have picked within the top-10 in the past 15 years. 

The 2019 regular season has come to an end for the Los Angeles Chargers and now all the attention has shifted to the offseason.

It’s official. The Chargers will pick sixth overall in the 2020 NFL draft. They were slated to pick seventh, but a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars bumped them up one slot.

This will mark the third time that the Bolts have picked within the top-10 in the past 15 years.

With how high they are picking, the Chargers will have plenty of the premiere prospects available when they are on the clock.

Whether or not Philip Rivers is back next season, L.A. will be in an ideal position where they could snag their future face of the franchise, with players like Tua Tagavailoa, Justin Herbert or Jordan Love.

The team could also look to address the offensive line with someone like Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills.

2020 NFL draft order: Jets have 7th pick after getting some help over weekend

The New York Jets are projected to pick No. 7 in the updated 2020 NFL draft order, according to Tankathon.

The Jets’ loss to Baltimore on Thursday Night Football wasn’t all bad.

Sitting at home over the weekend, New York got some help in the NFL draft pecking order. With the Falcons and Jaguars both winning on the road on Sunday, New York was able to better its position.

The Jets now have the seventh pick behind the Bengals, Giants, Redskins, Dolphins, Lions and Cardinals, according to Tankathon.

A shot at the top-five is still in reach with Pittsburgh and then Buffalo both still on New York’s schedule. With the Jets having only pride to play for in the next two games, it’s unlikely that they will be able to upset the Steelers and Bills. Both teams are still not locked into their playoff spots.

The Jets could play spoiler the next two weeks, but it would spoil having a top pick, which would hurt in the long run.

Picking in the top 10, the Jets will be in a position to take a plug-and-play starter and find an impact player. Names like Alabama WRs Jerry Jeudy and OT Jedrick Wills, Georgia OT Andrew Thomas, Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb, Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs and Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah come to mind.

The Jets will need more help moving up further in the draft order, but jumping a Cardinals team that still has Seattle and Los Angeles left on its schedule doesn’t seem all that feasible.

At this point No. 7 seems to be the highest the Jets can go, but stranger things have transpired.

2020 NFL draft order: Jets have 9th pick after Bengals loss

The New York Jets are projected to pick No. 9 in the updated 2020 NFL draft order, according to Tankathon.

Even though the Jets handed the 0-11 Bengals their first win of the season, New York’s 22-6 loss wasn’t all bad.

The Jets now have the ninth pick behind the Bengals, Giants, Redskins, Dolphins, Falcons, Lions, Cardinals and Jaguars, according to Tankathon.

The Jets’ recent winning streak took them out of prime position for a generational pass-rushing talent like Ohio State’s Chase Young, but there’s still some football to be played.

From here on out, the Jets don’t have many easy games and could very well find themselves back in the top-five. New York has the Dolphins, Ravens, Steelers and Bills remaining on its schedule and could very well lose out.

Picking in the top 10, the Jets will be in position to take a plug-and-play starter and find an impact player. Names like Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy, Georgia OT Andrew Thomas, Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb, Iowa EDGE A.J. Epenesa and OT Tristan Wirfs come to mind.

Wherever the Jets end up picking, with a top-10 selection all the more likely now, they will need Joe Douglas to hit a home run in his first draft as general manager.