2020 NFL Mock Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars grab an offensive tackle

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

In an NFL world where the Cleveland Browns don’t exist, the Jacksonville Jaguars would be the front runners for the worst team award. For a league that boasts on parity and any given Sunday, the Jaguars (and the Patriots!) are a stark reminder that no design is ideal. From 2008 till 2019, with the exception of 2017 (best NFL season ever!), they have had a top 10 pick every year and top 5 pick for 6 of the 12 years. Here are the 1st round picks the Jaguars have had from 2008: 8, 8, 10, 10, 5, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 29 and 7. What do they have to show for all these assets? A gutless submission to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick the 2017 AFC Championship game! That’s it.

So what does it take to put a competent football team in the current NFL? Bold and risk-tolerant head coach? Franchise quarterback? Lockdown defense? Locker room leadership? Strong draft picks? Block buster free agent signings? Yeah, the Jaguars ain’t got any of that. All they have are a couple of pieces on offense and defense along with some respectable renumeration from the Jalen Ramsey trade. With the exception of Josh Allen, DJ Chalk Jr, Leonard Fournette, Yannick Ngakoue and Myles Jack they have a lot of holes to fill, especially on QB, OL and DL. Earlier in the offseason they made an interesting(but wrong) choice to trade Nick Holes to Chicago and give Gardner Minshew another shot at QB.

The 2020 NFL Draft (like the previous 11 drafts) presents a great opportunity to build a strong roster for the future. With 2 first round picks, along with 8 other picks , the Jaguars really have an opportunity to build a formidable team with existing core. The teams top need include offensive line, tight end, defensive tackle, cornerback and safety, probably in that order.

The best case scenario for the 2020 Jaguars is to build a formidable offense around Gardner Minshew and see if he is capable of taking the team forward. Even if he fails to do it, a formidable offense can still help the next QB they bring in, either via trade or the draft. Picking at 9 they have an abundance of talent to choose from and a chance to make up for all the previous mishaps they have had with their previous first round draft picks, not named Jalen Ramsey (that too was actually the Cowboys’ fault).

With Jawaan Taylor anchoring the right side of the offensive line, drafting an athletic and versatile offensive tackle can go a long way in solidifying both the run game and pass protection alike. Cam Robinson as a blind side tackle has so far been underwhelming for the Jaguars, but he does provide an option to be moved into Guard position.

THE PICK - Tristan Wirfs, OT, IOWA

Tristan Wirfs should be considered a plug and play starter, at either tackle positions, at the NFL level. With tremendous run anchor, very good inline power and excellent point of attack he is potentially a more complete product compared to Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton. Many NFL Scouts feel Wirfs could develop into a dominant guard at the NFL level. Wirfs is potentially a player who could play both guard and both tackle positions along the line and at a high level at that.

Wirfs could come in and immediately compete for one of the guard positions while the team waits out Cam Robinson, in hopes of improvement at left tackle. If Robinson continues to struggle, the team will have Wirfs in the fold to take over as the team’s blindside blocker, allowing Robinson to slide inside and compete at guard.

While not being a flashy pick like a QB or a WR/RB, Wirfs is the safest option for a team that has a notorious reputation of screwing up high first round picks. The Jags cant get this pick wrong by going with Wirfs.

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242): OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M): OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan):
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible):
12) Raiders (Phillysolo)
13) 49ers (eagles0132):
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles):
15) Broncos (J. Wil):
16) Falcons (Kephas)
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang):
18) Dolphins (dshelton5):
19) Raiders (fredhugo):
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22)
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards)
22) Vikings (Kramerpoo):
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus)
24) Saints (big DUB):
25) Vikings (MrW254):
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly):
27) Seahawks (mattywils):
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47):
29) Titans (mr_england):
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Jaguars should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals: OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars: