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Make the Case: Isaiah Simmons vs. Tristan Wirfs

MAKE-THE-CASE-WIRFS-VS-SIMMONS

"Make the Case" is back in session on Giants.com.

In this series, we look at projections provided by two analysts and then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on what the Giants should do with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Todd McShay (ESPN) picked Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons: "The Giants defense needs everything, and everything is exactly what Simmons brings to the table. He was a factor in every single statistical area in 2019 for the Tigers, and his blazing 4.39-second time in the 40, wild 39-inch vertical and ridiculous 11-foot broad jump took Indianapolis by storm. It was one of the best workouts we've ever seen from a linebacker. A converted safety, Simmons fits what NFL teams are looking for today and can affect so many areas of the game. New York handed 28.2 points per game to opponents last season, more than all but two other teams. Let's jump start the defensive rebuild with a true difference-maker."

According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons, who measured 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds at the combine, played more than 100 snaps at five different positons for Clemson in 2019. He lined up 299 times at inside linebacker, 262 at slot cornerback, 132 at free safety, 116 at outside linebacker, and 100 at strong safety. He was asked last week in Indianapolis what position he plays. "Defense," said Simmons, who won the 2019 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker, the first player to do so in Clemson history. 

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Media) projected Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs: "Lots of good options here, but protecting QB Daniel Jones is the priority. … Wirfs is a big, powerful offensive tackle. In pass protection, he launches out of his stance and hasn't had issues versus outside speed rushers. However, he has experienced issues against inside counter moves. He over-sets and struggles to redirect back inside, allowing too many pressures in the games I studied. When he can land his punch, it's over. His hands are so strong and he has the power base to end the play right there. In the run game, he is very strong and aggressive. He creates a ton of movement, but also will overextend and fall off at times. He's on the ground too much. I love his aggressive demeanor, but he needs to play more under control. Overall, I believe he can survive at tackle, but he'd benefit from playing with neighbors on both sides. I think Wirfs has All-Pro potential at guard."

Wirfs (6-5, 320) made an immediate impact on Iowa, becoming the first true freshman to start at either offensive tackle position in the Kirk Ferentz era. By the time he left, he was a second-team All-American and the winner of the 2019 Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference. He was also first-team All-Big Ten and one of six semifinal candidates for the 2019 Outland Trophy.

View photos from the college career of Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons

View photos from the college career of Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

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