Let's Separate These Tackles

[BleedTheClock]

*I posted this in the Browns forum (my team) and am curious where everyone else stands on this. Some of my analysis is Browns-specific, just FYI. 

*Who is the best pass blocker? Run blocker?

 

I'll list the 4 alpha OT's alphabetically below.

 

 

 

Mekhi Becton
OT
Louisville
6'7 368
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVqUoaAiLSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dl-FlupgL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0okwp4IhyNc

 

 

Andrew Thomas
OT
Georgia
6'5 320
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MszTxrJxe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mynP6_mimKI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Bd24cz9Jo

 

 

Jedrick Wills
OT
Alabama
6'5 320
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfOrZsGfuQo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8T-h2Ej5a0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg85Wo5JqSI
 

 

 

 

 

Tristan Wirfs OT
Iowa
6'5 325
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7auTTNfcrI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzmZqoXYx3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS8ZfSny1Eo

 

 

 

The Field:

Austin Jackson/USC/6'6 305
Josh Jones/Houston/6'5 311
Rob Hunt/ULL/6'5 310
Trey Adams/Washington/6'7 335
Prince Tega Wanogho/Auburn/6'4 305
Jack Driscoll/Auburn/6'6 310

[BleedTheClock]

THIS WAS MY ANALYSIS FROM THE BROWNS FORUM. WE RUN A ZBS NOW, FYI.

 

My Thoughts/Analysis/Grades:

 

Mekhi Becton
--Becton is the easiest movers of the group despite being gigantic. He has surprisingly quick feet and doesn't get lazy with them from what I've seen. He plays in a ZBS and does a great job of sealing edge players on strong side runs and getting to the linebackers on weak side runs. His pass protection is untested, as they usually throw off of play action looks where the OL mimics run blocking, but he has shown the ability to mirror speed. DE's don't know what to do with him because it takes so long to get around him. He has been beaten with inside moves, but this has not consistently been a problem for him. He's not as nasty as I'd like him to be. In either the pass or the run game. He just kind of position blocks his dude and doesn't seem to take pride in evaporating the competition. That said, he's got a tremendous amount of natural talent and seems to be technically proficient as well. I think he ends up becoming a high-end starter on the left side, where he played in college.
Run Blocking: B
Pass Blocking: B
Scheme Fit: YES
Grade: 78

 

Andrew Thomas
--Thomas has excellent skills to play on the left side of the offensive line in the NFL. He's a solid run blocker and elite at mirroring speed rushers. You won't find many OT's that can make mirroring legit NFL speed rushers look easy. He plays with great pad discipline and as a result, is not vulnerable to bull rushes despite being a little thin in the upper body. Thomas plays in a man blocking scheme at Georgia, but he is probably better suited for a ZBS anyways. His foot speed is excellent and when asked to get to the next level, his angles were on point. He arrives with violence, but does get a little out of control at times. He goes for killshots on LB's and DL, but too often does he whiff and end up on the ground. In my opinion, he will have the easiest transition to the NFL as a LT, given his experience at the position and his ability to shut down rushers with traditional pass sets.
Run Blocking: B-
Pass Blocking: A
Scheme Fit: YES
Grade: 79

 

Jedrick Wills
--Wills is a weird case. He doesn't look athletic at all, but I keep seeing people laud him for his athleticism. It's not a weakness, but I see Becton move better than Wills. He has great power in his hands and jars even the biggest of DE's he faces. In the pass game, he locks people down when he gets his hands on you. I have yet to see someone work through his contact and make a play on the QB. He also does a great job of not opening the door for inside counters in the pass game. He keeps his pad level low and forces you to run the ring around him. When you try to run the ring, he punches and slides to effectively win the rep. He needs to be more physical when down blocking. He also gets lost when determining who he wants to block at times. He has the strongest base out of any of the OT's, but I worry about his heavy feet and lack of movement skills. I think he's very proficient and has jarring power, but he has not yet figured out how to use it to destroy defenders. I'd be willing to bet he would DOMINATE at guard if he failed at OT.
Run Blocking: B
Pass Blocking: B+
Scheme Fit: YES
Grade: 79

 

Tristan Wirfs
--Wirfs is the most physically dominant player in the group. He is punishing in the run and pass game and takes pride in finishing blocks with nastiness. One of the concerns I see with Wirfs is that he plays high consistently and is almost too athletic bailing out of his stance in pass protection. It leaves him open to bull rushes and inside counters. These are correctable mistakes that I am willing to overlook because of how dominant he is with his hands on you. He is an easy mover in the run game that can reach block defenders or down block one into a pit of darkness. He has the build of a tank and puts that power on display in both pass and run blocking. If he were more consistent with his technique, he would easily be the OT #1 for me. I have heard others say a move to guard is necessary, but I don't see that to be the case. He'd be elite there, but I don't think he'll fail at OT. He needs some seasoning, but nobody has more impressive reps if you put together a highlight film than Wirfs.
Run Blocking: A+
Pass Blocking: B-
Scheme Fit: YES
Grade: 80

 

 

 

With all of that said, who am I taking if I had my pick?

 

Andrew Thomas. I am obviously in love with his ability to pass block, but I am also in love with his willingness to mix it up in the run game. He's a violent run blocker despite his technical flaws. These can get cleaned up in time. I just think for a team that needs a LT to protect Baker, we should go with the speed rush blocker rather than the mauler. I have a higher overall grade on Wirfs, but Wirfs is not as technically sound in pass protection. Thomas' ability to mirror speed wins the day for me, especially because he's not some finesse pansy run blocker.

 

 

 

1. Andrew Thomas
2. Tristin Wirfs
3. Jedrick Wills
4. Mekhi Becton

[taylor made]

1. Andrew Thomas - He's a little boring of a prospect, but he is the most complete. His run blocking is underrated. Top 5 value

2. Jedrick Willis - He reminds me of Trent Williams playing on the right side.  Who knows what he will look like on the left side. Probably has the highest upside of anyone. Top 10 value

3. Mekhi Becton - Obviously has crazy size and looks natural doing it. Does he have the football IQ to be great? I have my concerns. Bottom 1st round

4. Austin Jackson - His base pass protection is a concern but I like his IQ and size. He looks like a natural LT. I think his value lies in the early 2nd round.

5. Tristan Wirfs - I don't see it with Wirfs. Apparently he has elite athleticism but it doesn't show up on tape for me. I know a lot of Iowa OL have dominated in the NFL but I'm cautious with him. He doesn't look like a natural out there to me. Reminds me of Andrus Peat out there. Second Rounder and my bust candidate.

 

[goldfishwars]

I have all four in my top 20, really like all four. 

1. Wills - Rare combination of awesome power and fluid athleticism, he's a dog too and loves to compete. Very little not to like.  

2. Wirfs - He is the most agile of the group, rarely out of position and has the versatility to play on both sides - or even play some guard

3. Becton - Light feet for an absolute monster, he's the meanest of the bunch and his tape is littered guys getting thrown out of the club. Would have been nicer to see him in pure pass sets more often

4. Thomas - Looks like he has an enormous wingspan (we'll see), and impossible to dislodge once he locks on. Anchors well, stones bull rushers for fun. Occasionally looks a little top heavy.  

[BleedTheClock]

@taylor made I think Wirfs looks plenty athletic on tape. He plays high and struggles to stay within his frame when blocking in space. He plays a little out of control, but I wouldn’t say he’s unathletic. I think he just looks sloppy. 
 

I think Wills is actually more unathletic, but his feet are so excellent that it doesn’t hurt him. But in terms of being able to get to a spot, Wirfs is 10x more capable than Wills. I will agree that Wirfs is sloppy, but his ceiling is immense. 

[whodatworm23]

Not getting into a complete breakdown of all because I feel there pretty close to the point it’s personal preference but I will say I love Wirfs the most. He’s physically dominating, comes from a o-line factory in Iowa where he was coached well by Ferentz and he has position flexibility. I can see him as a pro bowl tackle but I feel he’d be a all pro Guard inside. He’s likely the safest pick of the 4 IMO which is a big deal if I’m investing a top 15 pick into him.  

[Ozzy]

I went with Wirfs being the best of the group, he has the most athletic ability arguably, he is the best in space and plays with the most power.  Best combination in the run game and in pass pro and his upside is higher than any of the other guys listed I feel.  He also has arguably the best build and is put together physically better than the others with thicker lower body and upper body.  Will be very interesting how he does at the combine, he should do great for his size and he should be the first OT off the board.  

 

 

PS on the field to end the season Thomas did not look great against Chassion and got beat a few times in that game and then sat out the bowl game.  Wirfs looked great throughout the end of the season and was all over the field blocking in the bowl game which he played against USC.  

[tom cody]

Andrew Thomas would be my #1. Willis at #2. 

[BleedTheClock]

On 2/24/2020 at 8:26 AM, Ozzy said:

Thomas did not look great against Chassion

hmmm I didn't watch that match-up. That's a little disconcerting given I don't think Chaisson is anything great.

[Danger]

Thomas
Wirfs

Wills
Bekton

[DirtyDez]

Last time there’s been 3 different guys in consideration for best tackle?  

[Ozzy]

Just now, DirtyDez said:

Last time there’s been 3 different guys in consideration for best tackle?  

Last year there was a variety of opinions about those guys honestly, but none were absolutely top dog or super elite.

 

2016 between Ronnie Stanley, Jack Conklin and Laremy Tunsil

2014 between Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews and Taylor Lewan. 

2013 between Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson.  

2010 between Trent Williams, Russell Okung and Anthony Davis.

2009 between Jason Smith, Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe

 

 

 

Could argue as a group the current dudes are as talented as any of these groups in terms of high end potential.  Especially looking at the top four Wirfs, Thomas, Willis and Becton.  Which does not even include Trey Adams, Austin Jackson, Josh Jones or Prince Tega Wanogho who could all become fine starters as well and possibly high end players.  

 

 

[pnies20]

Wirfs

Becton 

Josh Jones - if you’re trading up to take a tackle late in the first.