CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN'S DRAFT TRADES
TRISTAN WIRFS
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
6-foot-5
320 pounds
21 years old
BIG PICTURE
Tristan Wirfs is one of the biggest pre-draft risers after a remarkable NFL Combine, where he smoked the field in the 40, vertical and broad jump. Stayed at home to play for Iowa, notorious for producing solid offensive linemen, after a successful high school career in football and track and field. He was the first true freshman to start at tackle under Kirk Ferentz and only improved from there, playing primarily at right tackle but making four starts on the left side as well. Could be a candidate to move inside, but has prototypical tackle size.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.85 40-yard dash (1st)
24 bench reps
36.5-inch vertical (1st)
121-inch broad jump (1st)
7.65 3-cone drill (5th)
4.68 20-yard shuttle (T-7th)
VIKINGS' COMPATIBILITY RANKING
3 out of 5. Wirfs athletic profile will make him coveted in the first half of the first round. Asking him to fall to the 20s may be too greedy an ask for Minnesota.
HIGHLIGHTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZnSSduQ7Dk
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Right tackle with elite body type and freaky testing potential who might fall victim to elevated expectations based upon traits and Iowa pedigree. He has tremendous core strength and moves smoothly, over-sets and isn't the explosive drive-blocker former Iowa star tackle Brandon Scherff was. Wirfs has tools to handle gap-blocking duties while thriving in outside zone. If Wirfs can learn to play inside out and add a more effective jump-set into his repertoire, he could take a big step forward. Consistency of play could take some time, but he has the ability to become a good starter at either right tackle or guard."
Kyle Crabbs, Draft Network: "Tristan Wirfs should be considered a plug and play starter at the next level. It's understanding why some will want to move him inside to play at OG — his vertical pass sets aren't where he's best and playing him inside limits that exposure. But I'm ready to give him a crack at RT first — he's got tremendous ability in space, a strong anchor, fluid feet and explosive pads. He's scheme diverse and his candidacy to kick inside will only provide greater value to protect against busting."
WHAT PFF SAYS
91.3 overall grade last season (4th)
Improved pass-blocking grade each college season
Allowed two sacks combined last two seasons
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.