The 2020 NFL Draft is under a week away. Leading up to the start of the first round on April 23, Giants.com will be taking a look at the top five prospects at each position in this year's draft class. Each list is based off of NFL.com's prospect rankings.
Next up are the offensive linemen.
Giants current depth at OL: Nate Solder, Cameron Fleming, Eric Smith, Nate Wozniak, Kevin Zeitler, Will Hernandez, Nick Gates, Chad Slade, Spencer Pulley, Tanner Volson
Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Height / Weight: 6'7" / 364 lbs
Accolades: First Team All-ACC (2019), ACC Jacobs Blocking Award (2019)
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #7
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: Becton is a massive left tackle prospect with a similar size/skill set to former first-rounder Bryant McKinnie. In pass protection, he has surprisingly nimble feet and uses his length to steer defenders. Even when he fails to land his punch, he can absorb rushers with his girth. He needs to improve his awareness versus games up front. He is a dominating run defender and collects knockdowns by the bunches. He latches on and uses his upper-body strength to torque and toss. He isn't as effective when working in space. Overall, Becton has areas to improve -- mainly balance and awareness -- but he is a rare athlete at this size and his upside is through the roof.
View photos from the college career of Louisville OT Mekhi Becton.
Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
Height / Weight: 6'4" / 312 lbs
Accolades: CFP National Champion (2017), First Team All-SEC (2019)
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #10
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: Wills lined up at right tackle for Alabama. He has average height for the position and he's carrying a little extra weight. An excellent pass protector, Wills is quick out of his stance and he's an easy mover versus speed and counters. He is a natural knee bender and he reworks his hands to maintain leverage/control. He is aware versus games and stunts. In the run game, he is at his best when working up to the second level. He also flashes the ability to roll his hips and uproot defenders over his nose. He's never on the ground. Overall, Wills doesn't have the ideal body type, but he has all of the necessary tools to be a 10-year starter at either tackle spot.
View photos from the college career of Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills.
Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
Height / Weight: 6'5" / 320 lbs
Accolades: First Team All-Big Ten (2019), Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (2019)
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #13
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: 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.
View photos from the college career of Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
Height / Weight: 6'5" / 315 lbs
Accolades: Freshman All-American (2017), 2x First-Team All-SEC (2018, 2019), First-Team All-American (2018), Unanimous All-American (2019), Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2019)
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #17
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: Thomas is a thick, powerful offensive tackle. In pass protection, he has average foot quickness in his set, but he possesses a powerful punch and strong anchor. He gets in trouble at times because his base is too wide; he lunges and loses balance. He plays with good overall awareness. He is a dominant run blocker. He can uncoil and uproot defenders over his nose and has the strength to wash defenders down the line of scrimmage on down blocks. He is effective working up a level when he can stay on one track, but he struggles to redirect in space. Overall, some teams view Thomas as a guard, but I believe he can hold up at tackle if he improves his balance issues.
View photos from the college career of Georgia OT Andrew Thomas.
USC OT Austin Jackson
Height / Weight: 6'5" / 322 lbs
Accolades: First-Team All-Pac-12 (2019)
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #28
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: Jackson brings an intriguing blend of size, athleticism and upside. In the passing game, he has the quickness to easily cut off speed rushers and he plays with good knee bend and balance. He needs to improve on his punch, as he's often late to shoot his hands and gives up his chest, leaving him vulnerable to the bull rush. He flashes the ability to settle down after giving ground, but this needs to improve. In the run game, he has the quickness to reach/cut off on the back side and he does a good job of staying attached on the front side. His overall play strength needs to improve, but he's only 20 years old and that should come in time. Jackson isn't ready to play at a high level right away, but the upside is tantalizing.
View photos of USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson.
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