2020 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers land Brown, Jeudy to Jets, More
13. TristanWirfs. 6. player. Offensive Tackle. Iowa. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
If you want to win football games, it’s all about winning the battle of the trenches. The truth of the matter is unless it was Burrow that magically fell to the No. 6 overall pick, it’s a better option to go with the best available offensive lineman. The Los Angeles Chargers are better off waiting until next year’s draft for a new franchise quarterback.
For now, it’s all about protecting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to enable him to do what he does best. That’s why they will decide to take the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft in Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa. Not only is he an instant upgrade on the Chargers’ offensive line but he’ll be an anchor on it for years to come.
Wirfs has experience at both left and right tackle on top of being excellent in establishing rushing lanes. It’s not a flashy pick but the Chargers make the right call here from a football point of view. After all, one of the biggest reasons Philip Rivers wasn’t able to do more in his lengthy tenure with the team was mostly due to years of working behind a terrible offensive line.
Defensive Tackle. player. 87. Draft Profile. Draft Profile. Auburn. DerrickBrown. 7
The Carolina Panthers couldn’t stop the run in any way, shape, or form last season. In order to bolster their run-stopping defense, they easily select defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn. Brown is a classic overachiever who specializes against the run and is an all-around solid defender.
The 6-4, 326lbs defensive juggernaut will bring instant credibility to a defensive line that needs it as if there is no tomorrow. In his four years at Auburn, he totaled 12.5 sacks, 170 tackles, and five forced fumbles. He’s going to be such a difference-maker for the Panthers which is what they need as they are in Year 1 of a complete overhaul.
Brown will be a big part of their defense as his speed, tenacity, and ruthless aggression will be a great sight to see this upcoming season. Expect to see Brown excel in his rookie season and set the tone that these Panthers are going to look a lot different on defense over the next few years. Who knows, they’re only a few missing pieces away from everything coming together by 2022 or 2023 at the latest.
. Draft Profile. Alabama. 32. Offensive Tackle. JedrickWills. 8. player
Quarterback Kyler Murray could very well be the future answer for the Arizona Cardinals but if it’s one thing to know, he needs better offensive linemen immediately. He was often pressured and sacked way too much in his rookie season as it would be a shame for a repeat situation as he enters his sophomore season.
The Cardinals know just how important their offensive line is and even though they missed out on Wirfs, they get the next best available offensive lineman in Jedrick Wills out of Alabama. Wills is strong, smart, and has all the physicality needed to be a consistent starter right out the gate.
If the Cardinals can keep adding talent around Murray and bolster their offensive line once again next year, they could bounce back nicely after some unsuccessful seasons. It’s a start in the right direction with Wills ready to step right in and get to work.