NFL draft hopefuls Tristan Wirfs of Iowa, Mekhi Becton of Louisville move atop many OT rankings

It wasn’t that long ago when Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills were considered the top two offensive tackle prospects in the 2020 NFL draft.

But there’s been a changing of the guard – or tackle – since the Combine ended last week.

Massive Louisville offensive lineman Mekhi Becton measured 6-foot-7 and a Combine-high 364 pounds – then ran a 5.1 40-yard dash, an astonishing time for a player his size.

And Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs (6-5, 320) set several Combine records after his performance, which included a 4.85 40, tops among all participating linemen and the best-ever time for a lineman over 320 pounds.

Now, many mock drafts project those two as the best OTs in the upcoming draft.

NFL Network Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah was one of the first national evaluators to put Becton in his top 5. Jeremiah currently has Becton going to the New York Giants at pick No. 4 overall.

“I’m not in the business of trading off freaks at a need position,” Jermiah said, via GaintsWire. “He’s a left tackle. He’s a better version of Bryant McKinnie. He’s going to be that guy for the next 10 to 12 years to protect your franchise quarterback.

“You just don’t see guys like that come around very often. I know trade-back options exist. I know you can take a defensive playmaker. To me I’m not trading off that pick. I’m sitting there right there taking Mekhi Becton.”

Draft analysts are equally bullish now on Wirfs.

From NFLMocks’ Dan Schmelzer via Fansided:

“Wirfs was already one of the best offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft class, but with this elite performance at the combine, the sky is the limit on his draft stock. At this point, I would not be surprised if Wirfs ends up being the top offensive lineman taken in the draft and going in the top five overall. He likely made himself some money on Friday night.”

Only 16 of the 46 WRs jumped higher than Tristan Wirfs at the NFL Combine.
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— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 28, 2020