Buccaneers Draft: Deciphering between top four offensive tackles

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, here’s a look at the differences between each of the top four offensive tackles.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to take an offensive tackle in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft and many are hoping it will be one of the top four in the position group.

For the Buccaneers to get one of these top four offensive tackles, they very well may have to trade up into the top-10.

When we look at these top four offensive tackles, there are distinguishable characteristics that set each one of them apart. NFL Insiders differ on who should be the first taken and what the order should look like, but here’s a quick guide to what each brings to the table.

Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama)

Jedrick Wills Jr. is the quickest of the group. He has nice measurables and is a guy who could project to play left tackle at some point in his career. Playing at Alabama, he has nice film and looks like he is ready to come in and contribute right away.

Mekhi Becton (Louisville)

Mekhi Becton is probably the biggest ‘risk it for the biscuit’ offensive tackle pick in this group of top-tier linemen. Becton has elite measurables, size and he shows great athleticism. He’s not quite as polished as some of the others at the position, but he certainly has the highest upside in terms of developing into an All-Pro later in his career.

Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

Andrew Thomas is the safest pick at offensive tackle in this draft. He’s not necessarily the best at anything, but he also doesn’t have any noticeable deficiencies. He’s going to be a consistent player who can come in and play immediately at right tackle with the potential to move over to left tackle at some point in his career.

Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)

Tristan Wirfs is probably the most physical of the bunch and he certainly has an NFL-ready body and skill set. Wirfs projects as a right tackle at the next level- and potentially even an offensive guard- and doesn’t necessarily have the upside to play left tackle as the other three do.

He’s a guy that is going to be physical and will play effectively at the right tackle spot, but he’s never going to transition over and play left tackle.

In addition to these four offensive linemen at the top, the Buccaneers have been linked to names like Joshua Jones (late first-rounder) and Ezra Cleveland (early second-rounder), both of which they could trade back for if one of these top guys aren’t available at pick No. 14.