Report: Top-10 of 2020 NFL Draft could see run on offensive tackles

As is the case with most NFL Drafts, this year’s top storyline to watch has been quarterbacks and where they go. More specifically, when does the run on quarterbacks begin? And how high?

After LSU quarterback Joe Burrow presumably goes first to the Cincinnati Bengals, the spots to watch then become the Miami Dolphins at No. 5 and the Los Angeles Chargers picking sixth.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert have been heavily mocked in those two spots. That would be the best-case scenario for the Arizona Cardinals at eighth overall, who would benefit from one of the top defensive players or offensive tackles falling to them.

But what if the Dolphins are moving up? And what if they do so to get an offensive tackle? Huh?!

Sources: The #Dolphins have called the teams in front of them for a possible trade up from No. 5 and are gauging the price to come up to No. 3 to potentially take an offensive tackle. We could see a run on tackles in the Top 10 like never before.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020

ESPN’s Michael Rothstein also believes the Lions at No. 3 will trade down, but not too far, because they have one name in mind they think they can still get a few spots later.

This has been talked about for months — ever since Detroit settled into the third overall pick and it appeared Joe Burrow and Chase Young would go Nos. 1 and 2. So the inevitable happens, bringing in a decent-sized draft-pick haul (and maybe a player) for the Lions to move back a couple of spots and still snag the player who might make the most sense for them: cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. How far back Detroit goes is unclear — although it’s tough to see them going lower than No. 6 with the Chargers’ selection.

There are four offensive tackles that could go in the top-20: Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has all four ranked in the top-16 of his final rankings.

Now, the Dolphins jumping from fifth to third is particularly interesting because the New York Giants at No. 4 have also been linked to the offensive line.

ESPN’s mock draft through beat reporters had ESPN’s Jordan Raanan selecting Wirfs fourth for New York. Could Miami be trying to move up for Wirfs ahead of the Giants?

Wirfs has been one of the top names mocked to the Cardinals, and him being off the board could mean that one of Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown or Okudah could be available, all three of whom would be a major long-term upgrade for Arizona’s defense.

That would be dependent on the three quarterbacks still going, which in that mock draft, does occur and ends for the Cardinals with a selection of Brown.

Or, as strange as it would be, a run on the offensive tackles. That’s where NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reports that the Atlanta Falcons have some interest, the one team that has been reported on the most as wanting to trade up.

From @NFLTotalAccess Draft Preview: The #Falcons have talked to several teams in the Top 10 about moving up, and everyone assumes that's for a corner. But Atlanta has also FaceTimed with multiple top tackles who will be long gone by 16. 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/j1Qp0u8day

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020

The question this time of year, as always, is if this is smokescreen season or some real developments within the last 48 hours. We will find out soon enough.

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