Rankings and what to watch for out of all the offensive tackle prospects invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
2020 NFL Combine: Offensive Tackle
Date: Friday, February 28: PK, ST, OL, RB
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: NFL Network
From the college perspective. here are rankings and quick looks at all of the offensive tackles invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest and what to look for.
2020 Pre-NFL Combine Offensive Tackle Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted before the NFL Combine.
24. Jon Runyan, Michigan 6-5, 312 (OG) (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A high-end Big Ten left tackle, he knows how to play and knows how to handle himself, but he can’t move at the next level and doesn’t have a set NFL starting position considering he’s not necessarily a guard.
23. Kyle Murphy, Rhode Island 6-4, 302 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: There’s left tackle potential as a flier in a camp. Now he has to show off the raw athleticism and the potential to add a few more pounds of good weight to compete.
22. Colton McKivitz, West Virginia 6-6, 304 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: How much can he overcome the lack of raw NFL tools? He’s a good, veteran blocker who needs to show off something strong athletically – or at least not look stiff.
21. Terence Steele, Texas Tech 6-6, 310 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: It’s going to be all about versatility with him. He’s a tackle and he has the right size, but can he move at an NFL level, and could he generate enough power to be kicked inside?
20. Justin Herron, Wake Forest 6-5, 290 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: The size and bulk just isn’t there, but he can move. He has to rip up the short drills to be seen as a swing backup tackle for a good passing attack.
19. Matt Peart, UConn 6-5, 310 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: He has good size and decent quickness, but he has to show off the strength and power needed to be an NFL run blocker. He can’t be considered a finesse blocker.
18. Saahdiq Charles, LSU 6-4, 295 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he overcome the lack of bulk with a ridiculous workout? Teams will be looking for reasons to like him, but he’s going to look smallish compared to the rest of the pack.
17. Alex Taylor, South Carolina State 6-9, 310 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Everyone will want to take the chance on him in the middle of the draft. The lower-level competition will always be the concern, and he needs to blast away like an NFL blocker, but guys this big who can move like he can are rare.
16. Yasir Durant, Missouri 6-7, 330 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he move? Everyone will love his ability to blast away, and someone might want to think of him as a massive guard, but if his feet are okay among the other tackles in Indy, his stock will soar.
15. Tyre Phillips, Mississippi State 6-5, 345 (OG) (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: An interesting prospect, he can can play left tackle but he’s built like a killer of a guard. How does he look and move in the short drills? Can he move like an NFL tackle?
14. Robert Hunt, Louisiana 6-5, 322 (OG) (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: There’s a whole lot of upside and potential somewhere on someone’s line. He’ll move as well as anyone, but he’ll need a whole lot of work to be thought of as an NFL left tackle. The tools will be there.
13. Charlie Heck, North Carolina 6-8, 315 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s going to be a polarizing prospect. The size and length are impressive, and he can move, but he looks like a just okay NFL blocker. Someone will love his potential and athleticism, but he’s likely a fantastic backup.
12. Ben Bartch, St. John’s (MN) 6-6, 308 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he bulk up any more or is he already maxed out? He’s already pumped up, but he’s a ridiculous athlete who might run the best 40 among all the O line prospects. He’s a developmental flier, but there’s stuff to work with.
11. Trey Adams, Washington 6-8, 314 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: Medicals, medicals, medicals. Before suffering a slew of injuries, he had the size and the upside to be seen as a possible top 20 overall pick, but he’s got too much wear and tear.
10. Ezra Cleveland, Boise State 6-6, 310 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s not a guard, and he’s not going to destroy anyone in an NFL power running game, he’s going to look, move and run like a next-level tackle who can step in right away.
9. Lucas Niang, TCU 6-7, 328 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he really move as well as expected for a guy his size? He doesn’t really look like an NFL tackle, but he has no problem in all phases, can play, and could be a leader of a line. A good workout puts him in the top 50.
8. Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn 6-5, 307 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: What’s up with the knee concern that flagged him at the Senior Bowl? He’s not massive, but he can move as well as any tackle in the draft, but he’ll need just a wee bit of developing. If he’s healthy, teams will love him as a good value pick after the top 50.
7. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia 6-7, 340 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: He has to be able to move well. He’s so big, so talented, and so good as just a football player, but can he show off enough raw movement to become a strong NFL starter?
6. Joshua Jones, Houston 6-5, 310 (1)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he workout well enough and be strong enough to become a top 20 pick? It’s a good draft for tackles, and Jones might not be quite as strong a prospect as the top guys, but that’s what the combine is for. He can go from being a fringe first rounder to a must-have guy to build around.
NEXT: Top 5 Offensive Tackle Prospects Before the 2020 NFL Combine
5. Austin Jackson, USC 6-6, 310 (2)
Why He’s Here On The List: He’s going to look the part. He’s got a great frame, tremendous athleticism, and he could end up working and playing anywhere on a line depending on what someone is going to want. While he’s hardly a finished product, he’ll move great, he should be quick, and he might be among the most undervalued prospects in first two rounds.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how much work does he really need? He’s managed to get by on being a good player without a whole ton of experience. A likely must have around the 50, a great workout could push him up into the late first round.
Bottom Line: He’s just scratching the surface, but be patient, live through the growing pains, and he just might be a special pick who goes right after the first wave of top tackles. It would be nice if he could bulk up just a wee bit, but give him a year or so and he’s your starting left tackle for the next decade.
NEXT: No. 4 Pre-NFL Combine Offensive Tackle
4. Mekhi Becton, Louisville 6-7, 369 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: Human beings just aren’t this big, this athletic, and this skilled. While there might be concerns over whether or not he can maintain his weight, good luck getting around him, and forget it once he locks and and has to bring the power. He might not be for everyone, but he’s an anchor.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just don’t be brutal in the drills. No one is looking for a fluid defensive back type of workout, but as long as he doesn’t stand out for anything lumbering or bad, he’ll be just fine.
Bottom Line: There’s more boom-or-bust here than many will think. He might have the mass, but he’s not all that far off from being way too big. Considering he’s a top 20 overall prospect in a strong first round, he’s a wee bit of a risk if he doesn’t move quickly enough in the drills. He’s an NFL starter, but he was also a top player on a Cardinal line that couldn’t do anything to protect the quarterback.
NEXT: No. 3 Pre-NFL Combine Offensive Tackle
3. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa 6-5, 322 (OG) (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: Put him at guard, start him out at right tackle, and give him a shot on the left side. It might take a little bit for him to find his right fit, but until then he’ll be a killer of a run blocker who’ll always bring the effort and the strength. There might not be a better mauler in the draft.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Can he be a left tackle? He’ll likely spend the first part of his career on the right side before kicking it inside, but if he can show off just enough athleticism to go along with his raw power, look out.
Bottom Line: As rock-solid as they come, he’s a ten-year pro somewhere on the line with the talent to be the best player up front for someone. While he might not be the most athletic of blockers for a left tackle, he’ll grow into a plug-and-play blocker a team won’t have to worry about – once he finds his spot.
NEXT: No. 2 Pre-NFL Combine Offensive Tackle
2. Andrew Thomas, Georgia 6-5, 320 (Top ten overall)
Why He’s Here On The List: A terrific part of a great Georgia line for the last few seasons, he has the right body type, the right skills, and the right mentality as a lead blocker for an NFL line. He’ll fight for a block, is used to dealing with high-end SEC-caliber pass rushers – and was fine – and there’s an outside shot that he’s the top tackle off the board.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how much will the scouts care about his body type? He doesn’t look like a bulked up tight end, but that’s okay – he moves well enough for his size. Watch him in the mirror drills. As long as those are flawless, all will be fine.
Bottom Line: He’s not the perfect pro tackle prospect, but he’s a good, tough player who should grow into a star after taking his lumps for a year. Live through the potential pass protection issues out of the box until he gets used to his role as an anchor of a left tackle, but there isn’t anything that can’t be fixed.
NEXT: No. 1 Pre-NFL Combine Offensive Tackle
1. Jedrick Wills, Alabama 6-5, 320 (Top ten overall)
Why He’s Here On The List: Just say this every year – he’s an Alabama offensive tackle. Out of central casting, he’s an NFL left tackle to build an entire line around with the bulk to handle himself just fine against the bulkier linemen, and the experience to get the job done in pass protection. There are other terrific-looking tackle prospects this year, but Wills is it. He’s what the NFL wants.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just don’t be painful in the drills. There’s no real concern here, and there’s a chance he destroys a large portion of the workout, but as long as he’s fine and looks the part, everyone will be cool. However …
Bottom Line: It’s all there, and the knocks will all be nitpicking. He might not be as shiny or as fun as one of the quarterbacks or Chase Young, but you’re not totally insane to suggest that he might just be the best player in the draft. He’s as good as any of the left tackle prospects Nick Saban has sent to the league.
