Boombear's College Football Analysis: NFL Draft 2020 - Football Film Fight Volume 2 Part 2

That Time of Year Again!

The Combine is upon us and the Offensive Linemen have been putting on a show. What better time than now to conduct a Football Film Fight for Offensive Tackles? Let's have them go head-to-head based solely on film viewing and identify the true top prospect. If you missed the first edition - Running Backs, go check it out here.

Ground Rules

This year, to make it simple, I will take the Top 10 of each position group from the man who took independent scouting from the dining room to the board room, Mel Kiper Jr., based on his ESPN Top 10 lists as of 1/24/2020. Starting with numbers 9 and 10 on each list, I will review three games per player (preferably, two from last season and one from a prior year) and, based solely on the film viewing, one will advance to the next round to face #8, repeating the process until I get my #1 overall at that position.

DNS +/- Represents player's simple body density in relation to the average of the players in the survey (+ is larger than average, - is smaller)

Round 1: #10 Adams vs. #9 Niang

Trey Adams Notes:

UW Career

A rare true freshman starter on OLine for UW with 46 career starts.
Torn ACL in 2017; back injury in 2018.
ESPN, USA Today and Football Writes All-American (2016).

High School

USA Today All-State (WA).
Rated OT41 or better b y Rivals, ESPN and Scout.com.
Father Bud was a pitcher drafted by the KC Royals.

Viewed - Alabama 2016, Ohio State 2019 and Oregon 2019 - Definitely see what all the excitement was about his future back in 2016 vs. Bama. Had his hands full with Chase Young in the 1st quarter but adjusted nicely to handle the potential top pick. Seems to have good preparation but will let himself get behind in the play vs. speed rushers and will tend to lunge. Nice performance vs. Oregon. Seems to show shades of 2016.

vs.

Lucas Niang Notes:

TCU Career

Starting LT since 2017 with 28 career starts for the Horned Frogs.
2nd Team All-Big 12 (2018)
Played just 7 games in 2019 due to season ending hip surgery.

High School

OT1 in the state of Connecticut in his recruiting class
Offers from Auburn, Miami (FL) and Penn State

Viewed - WVU 2018, Texas 2019 and Purdue 2019 - On the right side. Could be more efficient in pass pro set up. Reaches a bit too much when he can't get to his spot on time. Working on lower body strength would improve his overall game.

Winner: Adams

From the games viewed, Adams seems much more serviceable right now and is a true left tackle.

Round 2: Adams vs. #8 Jackson

Jackson Notes:

USC Career

Total of 25 starts over his 3 year career, all at LT.
Despite undergoing surgery for bone marrow donation and missing much of summer camp in 2019, he recovered to not miss a start the following season.

High School

Selected to All-American teams in 2015 and 2016.
Multi-sport athlete (track and basketball).
Grandson of former Trojan OL Melvin Jackson who went on to play 5 years in the NFL.

Viewed - UCLA 2018, Iowa 2019 and Utah 2019 - Has some tricks up his sleeve. Sometimes forgets to keep his feet. Vs Iowa faced Epenesa with some success but had issues dealing with the power rush. Utah vs. Anae and had challenges with his speed/power.

Winner: Adams

Adams had more consistent film. If Jackson can land with a team to develop, he can make some noise in the league.

Round 3: Adams vs. #7 Charles

Charles Notes:

LSU Career

28 starts in 3 years along the line with 26 starts at LT.
2017 All Freshman SEC Team.

High School

Four star recruit per Rivals and Scout.
Displaced by Hurricane Katrina settling in Mississippi.
Recognized as a top recruit from that state.

Viewed - Auburn 2018, Texas 2019 and Alabama 2019 - The most amazing thing about Charles is he can sometimes forget to move his feet. It's remarkable. He always bounced back on the next play but it's something to see. His pass protection will need work so project him to the right side at the next level.

Winner: Adams

Charles needs to figure out the foot thing and that will keep his LT options limited. He is not a road grader so perhaps he can move into a left guard role.

Round 4: Adams vs. #6 Peart

Peart Notes:

Connecticut Career:

Started all 48 games in his 4 years as a Husky.
Switched from guard to RT his senior year.

High School

Did not play football at all before high school.
Basketball team captain.

Viewed - UCF 2018, Wagner 2019 and UCF 2019 - Not a lot of UConn footage out there. Given he is relatively new to the sport he has a lot of upside. I like him better in pass protection so I see the LT projection. Has the physical tools; can develop with the right coaching staff.

Winner: Adams

I am as surprised by this outcome the way I've heard Adams mentioned on social media. Not that Peart is flawed, he is actually very adept but Adams just has more experience and it shows.

Round 5: Adams vs. #5 Jones

Jones Notes:

Houston Career

Total of 45 starts at LT.
Injuries in 2017 (missed two games due to knee) and 2019 (missed three games due to high ankle sprain).

High School

Three star recruit by several media outlets.
OT11 in the state of Texas by Scout.
Two sport athlete (Basketball)

Viewed - USF 2018, Oklahoma 2019 and Cincinnati 2019 - Showed nice improvement year over year with increased ferocity. Better pass protector so I would leave him on the left side. Held his own well against Oklahoma. Late in games he had a lot of help from a tight end on his side (sometimes an extra lineman) so stamina issues?

Winner - Jones

It was a nice run for Adams but Jones shows he can impose his will on opponents and is able to make a larger impact.

Round 6: Jones vs. #4 Wirfs

Wirfs Notes:

Iowa Career

Played in 35 games with 33 starts; four games at left tackle, 29 at right tackle.
First Team All-American by several outlets (including Football Writers), Second Team All-American (AP and AFCA).

High School

All State (IA).
Selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
All-Iowa Boys HS athlete of the year as a three sport athlete (state champion in wrestling and Track and Field)

Viewed - Penn State 2018, Michigan 2019 and USC 2019 - Like the others, the cut blocking is hilarious...how are they teaching that? Anyway, solid in run and pass. Can lean but never victimized for it. Great 4th quarter energy.

Winner - Wilfs

More reliable in pass and run, he can play either tackle position.

Round 7: Wilfs vs. #3 Wills

Wills Notes:

Alabama Career

A total of 29 career starts with 28 at RT.
Earned All-American accolades from several media outlets.

High School

All-State honors (KY) beginning his sophomore year.
#1 recruit from the state of Kentucky.
Under Armour All-America Game and Nike "The Opening" participant.

Viewed - Mississippi State 2018, South Carolina 2019 and LSU 2019 - On the right side his whole career. He's like Po from Kung Fu Panda, he is shock absorber, often taking the first hit from defenders and counter attacking. Like the run blocking. Wily pass rushers can exploit his anticipation when he reaches at times. Can be a spectator at times. Speed rush can be a challenge. Finally - effective, non-Looney Toons cut blocking.

Winner - Wilfs

Wills will be drafted in the top 20 so he will be excited but as far a versatility, Wilfs checks all the boxes.

Round 8: Wilfs vs. #2 Becton

Becton Notes:

Louisville Career

Started 34 games for the Cardinals.
Played RT switching over to LT his final year.

High School

All-State selection (VA).
Rivals 4-star recruit
Also played center for his basketball team.

Viewed - Alabama 2018, Notre Dame 2019 and Clemson 2019 - Big and strong. Crosses his feet a lot when making up ground lost to speed which will be exploited at the next level on speed to power rushes. Has to keep his feet under him - tries to throw defenders but destabilizes his base and just shoves guys who stay in the play. Wider base vs. Clemson seemed to help his feet.

Winner - Wilfs

Becton is big, strong and fast whose coaches are going to be drooling to get to work with him. Wilfs is ready today.

Round 9: Wilfs vs. #1 Thomas

Thomas Notes:

Georgia

Started 41 games, 15 at RT and 26 on the left side.
All-American lists each of his three years as a Bulldog.

High School

All-State (GA).
Participant in U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
Top 10 OT recruit in several media outlets.
Two-way lineman with 59 tackles his senior year.

Viewed - Alabama 2018, Notre Dame 2019 and LSU 2019 - Quick and strong. 5:20 in Q3 vs Bama...shows a mean streak. Solid rebound from a mental error to return flawless the rest of the way out (Bama and LSU game). Solid technique.