The Arizona Cardinals could select an offensive tackle in the NFL draft next week. They might do it with their first-round pick, the eighth selection overall.
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim gave what perhaps is a little insight into what he he believes about the players at the top of the draft as well as what the Cardinals are looking for.
Keim stated the traditional view of the left tackle position being more important than the right side is not necessarily for modern football.
“The left tackle was thought of as the premium protector but people are flopping ends and outside backers now to be able to create those mismatches so you can’t get pigeon-holed and just say he can only play left or right tackle,” he told reporters in a video conference on Wednesday.
However, Keim values versatility. “You want guys to have positional flexibility as well as a scheme that supports that,” he said.
He believes that this draft class offers a variety of talent.
“They’re all different in this draft,” he said. “It’s been fun to watch these guys because they bring different skill sets. Some are a little more physical. Some are better pass protectors. A couple of them can play inside and outside. A couple of them can play left tackle and right tackle, so they have been a lot of fun to evaluate.”
He said “it’s going to be interesting to see where they go in this draft.”
Four players, in particular, get the most press — Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.
He didn’t really tip his hand in terms of preference, calling them “all fun to watch.”
If the Cardinals were to select one, it will come down to fit.
“At the end of the day, I think all four of them are going to be good players and you just have to determine what fits what you do best.”
He also spoke specifically about each of the four top prospects. Read on to find out what he said about each.
Andrew Thomas
Keim called Thomas “probably one of the best pass protectors” in the draft. Having played right tackle his first year with the Bulldogs and earning Freshman All-American honors, he is able to play both tackle positions.
Mekhi Becton
According to Keim, Becton “is freakish and one of the most powerful, and he gives you that ‘wow’ factor.”
Becton is the largest and one of the quickest. He also played both right tackle and left tackle in college, beginning on the right side as a freshman like Thomas.
Tristan Wirfs
Keim said “Wirfs has got tremendous upside athletically.” He played mostly right tackle but had a few games on the left side while playing for the Hawkeyes. He set combine record for offensive linemen.
“He does things out in space that are amazing,” Keim continued. “You’d like to think that he’s just going to get better and better.”
Some analysts project Wirfs can also play guard, which he never did in college.
Jedrick Wills
As for Wills, who has played only right tackle since high school, Keim added this nugget. “He can play guard, he can play tackle,” he said. “He’s nasty.”
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