The Jacksonville Jaguars have had offensive line issues for about as long as I can remember. The team has put a ton of resources into the line and the group has yet to perform to their expectations. Cam Robinson (albeit coming off an ACL tear) disappointed at left tackle, and for that reason, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs should be the Jags’ first selection of the draft.
Wirfs primarily played right tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes, due to his teammate, Alaric Jackson, feeling more comfortable on the left side. When Jackson went down to injury, Wirfs slid right in and performed admirably. Wirfs is the best athlete I’ve evaluated at the position and he brings solid power to go with it. He can be beaten inside to counter moves on occasions, however, he, along with Mekhi Becton, has the highest ceiling among an outstanding tackle class.
If the team decides to withhold from drafting a tackle with the No. 9 pick, it doesn’t make sense to draft one at No. 20, 42, or 73 either. The reason Wirfs is a great fit at No. 9 is that he gives the Jaguars the best shot to upgrade the second most important position on offense. At a later pick, the player likely wouldn’t provide that same value. The team would benefit more by drafting a starter at corner, defensive tackle, safety, or running back instead with those later selections.
If a team can upgrade at a key position like left tackle, it’s an opportunity that is hard to pass up. Wirfs is one of the better offensive tackles to come out in years and he could become a true cornerstone piece for this franchise.
Otherwise, CeeDee Lamb and Derrick Brown also make a ton of sense and are elite players at some other positions of need. The team has a lot of options at No. 9. It will be fun to see what general manager Dave Caldwell decides to do with two first-round picks and a plethora of Day 3 selections that could come into play at any point this weekend.