New York Giants: 7 Round post free agency mock draft
By Matt Clark
Tristan Wirfs New York Giants potential draft pick Tristan Wirfs (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
RD 1 (6): OT Tristan Wirfs
The New York Giants had their pick of the litter in regard to selecting the best offensive tackle on the board. A case could be made for Mekhi Becton, who showed freak athleticism at the NFL combine for a man who is 6’8″ and 375-pounds.
They could have opted for Jedrick Wills, who is as technically sound as any tackle in the draft, having protected Tua Tagovailoa the past couple of seasons in Alabama. New York also could have opted for Andrew Thomas, who is probably the readiest to play left tackle day one in the NFL after allowing a total of five sacks in three seasons while at the University of Georgia against some of the best talents in the SEC.
Instead, Gettleman and the Giants opt for Tristan Wirfs from the University of Iowa. Wirfs, much like Becton, is a physical freak as well. The 6’5″ and 325-pound former Hawkeye smashed records for an offensive lineman at the NFL Combine.
Wirfs broke the all-time record for an offensive lineman at the broad jump competition, jumping a record-tying 10’1″. He would go on to break the record for an offensive lineman in the vertical jump, posting a 36.5″ jump. Additionally, he had the best 40-yard dash time of any offensive lineman in this year’s combine with an incredible 4.85-second official time.
Prior to dominating the NFL Combine, Wirfs was already considered by most to be a top-3 offensive tackle in a draft loaded with high-end talent at the position with his game film alone. After he put his athletic prowess in play, he positioned himself to be the first offensive tackle off the board.
With Wirfs, the Giants get a tackle who can start immediately at right tackle and eventually projects as an elite franchise left tackle in the NFL. Based on his athleticism and strong skillset, the Giants could move Wirfs to left tackle immediately and move Nate Solder to right tackle if needed. However, if the team can make do with Solder and allow Wirfs to become acclimated to the speed of the NFL at the right tackle spot, that likely presents the better option.
By selecting Wirfs, the Giants make a long term investment in the offensive line and the health of Daniel Jones. They also get an excellent road grading run blocker for Saquon Barkley, who is also strong in pass protection. While a defensive stud would have been the sexier pick, keeping Jones upright and giving him time in the pocket is the bigger priority.
After shoring up a glaring hole that was such a detriment to the team last season, the Giants can focus on adding to their pass rush in later rounds of the draft. With their second-round pick the New York Giants select: